Allison Bertram
As a student at Michigan State, Shawn Koch was known for his avid appetite for knowledge. With support and guidance from his parents, Shawn’s intellectual curiosity enriched his ability to learn from those around him. He excelled as a husband, son, father, friend, musician, chef, storyteller… the list could go on forever.
Shawn lost a brave 18-month battle with brain cancer in 2011, at just 34 years of age. Although he isn’t physically here, his legacy continues as an embodiment of Spartan leadership.
Shawn’s family and friends created the Shawn M. Koch Memorial Scholarship in the summer of 2013 with the hope that he would have a lasting legacy of positivity at Michigan State. The purpose is to benefit students directly impacted by cancer, whether personally or through a family member. Students who are selected by the RCPD to receive the scholarship demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, strong work ethic, and tenacity, much like Shawn did throughout his life.
In only 2.5 years, the money raised for the minimum endowment amount reached the $30,000 goal through the hard work of Shawn’s loving family, his closest friends, and generous donors. They organized fundraising events like a golf tournament, an annual tailgate with a silent auction, and more. At the beginning of 2016, the Shawn M. Koch Memorial Scholarship reached the milestone of becoming fully endowed.
[Left] Banner for the annual "ShortyGate" tailgate. [Right] Greg Bozek, a close friend of the late Shawn Koch, at the Shawn Koch Memorial Golf Outing.
James Carlin, a Koch Scholarship donor and close friend of the late Shawn Koch, expressed, “Reaching the endowed status is an important milestone for the Koch Scholarship. It reminds us of the many people who have participated in fundraising events and supported the Scholarship. It also means that Shawn will not only live forever in the hearts and minds of his friends and family, but there will forever be a Shawn Koch Memorial Scholarship at MSU.”
A full endowment has a huge impact for its recipients; instead of the initial scholarship money being taken out of the scholarship account every year, it is invested into MSU accounts and grows its value. Instead of the initial scholarship value decreasing over time, the investment secures the value so students are able to benefit from the scholarship permanently.
Recipients of the Koch Scholarship are feeling its success as well: “I am extremely proud to be graduating in four years, despite my illness. This scholarship gives opportunity to those facing an already tough journey in their college careers,” Kate Rendi, 2015 recipient of the Koch Scholarship, stated.
To learn more about the Koch Scholarship and how to support it, visit the Koch Scholarship home page.