John Elliot, a 1970 麻豆传媒 graduate, and his wife, Fonda, have created The Elliot Scholars program at Kent State with a $1 million donation. This new scholarship program will provide support to first-generation students of any major who require financial support to attend Kent State.
This pilot program will create a cohort of student scholars who will be able to pursue their personal educational journeys with fewer financial barriers while being surrounded by curated enrichment opportunities and coordinated wraparound services. This cohort program will strategically support holistic student initiatives focused on access, retention, experiential learning and graduation. The Elliot Scholars program will be managed within a nationally award-winning framework.
鈥淔onda and I feel deeply that giving back to the place that helped us succeed is imperative, and even more importantly, supporting the next generation of students who are seeking a degree to improve their lives,鈥 John Elliot said. 鈥淭here are so many first-generation students who are working hard and doing well academically but don鈥檛 qualify for either need-based aid or merit-based aid for one reason or another. We hope The Elliot Scholars program can provide these students with the tools they need to get to Kent State, succeed in earning their degrees and changing their futures for the better.鈥
John Elliot earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1970 and immediately began practicing as an architect. After a few years, he opened his own architectural firm in Cleveland, and in 1982, the Elliots established American Medical Facilities Management LLC (AMFM), a skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care services company. In December 2024, John and Fonda Elliot received their Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the healthcare field and to Kent State. The Elliots have shaped modern healthcare design through their professional and philanthropic efforts, supporting student success and the field鈥檚 future.
They have given more than $13 million to Kent State in support of architecture, healthcare design, design innovation and global education through scholarships, professorships, student and faculty fellows programs, and additional programmatic support. The building that houses architecture, interior design, construction management and related programs is named The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design in recognition of the couple鈥檚 transformational giving to the university and its students, faculty and staff.
鈥淥n behalf of the Kent State community, I would like to express deep gratitude to John and Fonda Elliot for their continued support of our university,鈥 Kent State President Todd Diacon said. 鈥淭he Elliot Scholars program will be a keystone component in the future of many fortunate Kent State students. It will differentiate the university, change students鈥 lives and establish a meaningful, ongoing cohort of collective scholars who will learn, grow, live and experience their educational journeys as one.鈥
Kent State is recognized as a FirstGen Forward Network Leader by FirstGen Forward for its award-winning programs and initiatives to support first-generation students. These students tend to have higher satisfaction, increased learning gains and a greater ability to overcome setbacks in college compared to their peers who are not first-generation students. However, these students often face psychological, academic, financial and social barriers, and they may struggle to stay enrolled as a result.
This program is designed to minimize transition challenges, foster academic success, promote a sense of belonging and build connections beyond graduation for the 40 students who will comprise the first student cohort entering Kent State in fall 2025. The scholarship awards may be used for tuition, room or board and will be renewable for four years if the student is in good standing.
鈥淭he Elliots continue to find ways to fundamentally change the face of 麻豆传媒 through their innovative ideas and philanthropy,鈥 said Valoree Vargo, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kent State and CEO of the 麻豆传媒 Foundation. 鈥淎s true partners to the university, they listen to what our students need and help our administration co-create ideas, programs, positions and scholarships that help set our university and students apart. We are deeply grateful to John and Fonda for the lives they are changing.鈥
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Photo Caption:
John and Fonda Elliot have devoted their lives and careers to making a difference in the world. They co-founded American Medical Facilities Management LLC to provide high-quality care in West Virginia and have generously donated to countless community and educational organizations, including 麻豆传媒. (Photo credit: Bob Christy)
Media Contact:
Leigh Greenfelder, lgreenfe@kent.edu, 330-672-7108