Meet our donors
Champions of Student Success
Our donors are more than contributors—they are champions of student potential. They open doors to leadership training, scholarships, research opportunities, and personal growth for students who might otherwise never access them. Whether funding a scholarship or making an annual gift, our donors play a vital role in building tomorrow’s leaders.
Donor Spotlight
Rosemary and Lou Oberndorf
Drs. Jo and Scott Marshall
Jackie and Ray Hites
Dr. David Pierce
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Helping Students Overcome the Unexpected
Each year, the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation provides vital, need-based emergency funding to help students stay on track toward completing their degrees and credentials - thanks to the generous support of the Oberndorf Family Foundation.
The Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship was established to support PTK members facing sudden, unforeseen financial hardships that threaten to derail their educational journey. From medical emergencies and natural disasters to housing insecurity, these challenges can jeopardize years of hardwork and determination. This scholarship serves as a critical safety net, offering hope and stability when students need it most.
Named in honor of Rosemary and Lou Oberndorf, this fund reflects their deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. Lou Oberndorf, a pioneer in healthcare simulation and co-founder of Medical Education Technologies, Inc., has dedicated his career to advancing education at all levels. He also serves as a valued member of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Board of Trustees.
Thanks to the Oberndorf's leadership and philanthropy, the Lifeline to Completion Scholarship ensures that financial barriers do not become dead ends for students who have the drive and talent to succeed.
This is more than a scholarship - it is a second chance.
I am honored to receive the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship and want to personally thank you for your generosity and compassion for students, like me, who are experiencing hardships and struggles. I am a single mom of 3, who unexpectedly lost my income. But, thanks to this scholarship, I have found help and that I am not alone.
-Mary Higginbotham
Opportunities like the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship do not grow on trees, but the seeds of your generosity will help grow future leaders like me. To put it mildly, this past semester has been a financial challenge. Your scholarship will allow me to get my vehicle in full working order, allowing me to continue my studies. Thank you.
-Michael McBryde King
I recently experienced an unexpected financial storm including unexpected car repairs, an increase in my housing costs, and the expense of my nursing school tuition. These setbacks seriously threatened my ability to continue my education. Your scholarship quite literally saved my academic journey in a way that has allowed me to continue school and maintain my focus. Thank you for believing in students like me and for your vote of confidence in my potential.
-My Phuong Le
The Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship means more to me than words can express. While financial uncertainties have often cast a shadow over my aspirations, your generosity has lifted that burden, allowing me to focus on my calling of making a difference in the the lives of others. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me and investing in my future.
-Adebisi Saubana
Every Gift Has Power
Your generosity fuels ambition, inspires persistence, and makes higher education more accessible to students who are ready to lead. Thank you for believing in the potential of Phi Theta Kappa scholars.
Have questions about giving? Contact us at foundation@ptk.org.