Endowed scholarships help develop tomorrow’s Christian leaders

Neither Bill Edwards nor his wife, Karen, attended the University of Sioux Falls, but this didn't stop them from becoming two of USF's strongest supporters. They admire the University for its commitment to academic excellence, and for its development of mature Christians to serve God and humankind.

"We had heard about the University but had never been closely associated with it until our daughter, Kelly Rae, went there," Bill says. Kelly Rae and her husband, Jason Haskell, both graduated from USF in 1999.

Karen says that she and Bill have been most impressed with the quality of the faculty, staff and leadership at USF and their collective ability to connect with students and serve as role models.

"We're also very impressed with the quality of the student body," Bill says. "To me, one of the most gratifying parts of life is supporting young people in their education, especially when Christian principles are woven through it."

To further their commitment to USF, the Aberdeen couple established the Edwards Family Endowed Scholarship in 2005 to support the University's Christian mission by providing financial assistance to students. They are funding the scholarship with stock transfers, which is financially advantageous to everyone involved. Their enthusiasm doesn't stop there; the couple has made other gifts, as well.

Bill, a financial advisor with Edward Jones and a member of the USF Foundation Board and Investment Finance Committee, also uses his professional expertise to help manage the USF endowment fund.

"It is so encouraging to see the students blossom and develop and go out in the world and make their mark for Jesus Christ," Bill says. Both he and Karen appreciate that by supporting USF, they are helping develop future generations of leaders who will carry on their own Christian values.

"It's a privilege," says Bill, "to be able to contribute and advance the Kingdom of God through the University of Sioux Falls."