Longtime WashU benefactors Jerry Kent, BSBA ’78, MBA ’79, and Judy Kent created this challenge to encourage new and increased annual scholarship gifts, multiyear pledges for scholarships, and endowed scholarship gifts for WashU Olin.
No student should have to turn down the chance to study at Olin Business School because of cost. Scholarships help ensure that all accepted students are able to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity.
Each year, income from tuition and the university’s endowment covers only a portion of Washington University’s operating costs. Annual scholarship gifts of all amounts from generous donors like you help bridge the gap and provide essential student support. Endowed scholarship gifts ensure that resources for scholarships will always be available. A portion of the earnings is reinvested each year to help the principal grow and provide an ever-increasing income.
How the challenge works
The Kent Scholarship Challenge will match all new and increased scholarship gifts and multiyear scholarship pledges of up to $50,000.
It also will provide a $100,000 match for each new endowed scholarship gift. The challenge will remain in effect until the $2 million matching grant is expended.
Gifts to annual scholarships provide annual credit toward membership in one of the university’s giving clubs. Your recognition level is based on your gift, and it will not include the challenge matching dollars.
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About the Kents
Jerry Kent began his career as a certified public accountant with Arthur Andersen. He later joined Cencom Cable Associates, eventually rising to chief financial officer. He then co-founded Charter Communications in 1993 and led that company to become one of the 10 largest cable operators in the United States with 1.3 million customers.
Judy Kent is a longtime volunteer in the St. Louis area, currently serving as a member of the Stages St. Louis board of trustees. She also is emerita director of Easterseals Midwest and an avid supporter of the Saint Louis Zoo.
Judy and Jerry received the 2021 Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award in recognition of their many contributions to the betterment of the region.
Annual Fund Levels of Recognition*
Annual Fund Donor
$1–$99
Century Club Member
Century Club Fellow
Dean’s Committee
$100–$249
$250–$499
$500–$999
William Greenleaf Eliot Society
Eliot Society Member
$1,000–$2,499
Eliot Society Fellow**
$2,500–$4,999
Eliot Society Benefactor**
$5,000–$9,999
Eliot Society Patron
$10,000–$24,999
Danforth Circle
Dean’s Level
$25,000–$49,999
Chancellor’s Level
$50,000 or more
Your gift to Washington University is tax deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. and Canadian law.
*Your recognition level is based on your gift and will not include the challenge matching dollars.
**Donors may establish a named annual scholarship for each gift of $5,000 or more. Undergraduate alumni who have graduated in the past five years and graduate and professional alumni age 35 and younger who have graduated in the past five years may establish a named annual scholarship with each gift of $2,500 or more.