An endowment that provides scholarships for students at Rogers State University, named in honor of the late Alyson Marie Knight, recently received a $1 million gift.
The gift was given by her father, Dr. James P. Knight, last month. Knight is a 1967 graduate of the Oklahoma Military Academy, active member of the OMA Alumni Association and comes from a family of long-time RSU supporters. The endowment honors the legacy of his daughter who died tragically days before her high school graduation. Alyson was a gifted and high achieving student who was due to graduate top of her class.
“The generosity of Jim Knight is a testament to his values and an honor to his late daughter,” said RSU President Dr. Larry Rice. “With this gift, the Alyson Marie Knight Memorial Scholarship Endowment will create a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Knight follows in the footsteps of his father, Alfred Knight, who began supporting scholarship programs at Claremore Junior College in the late 1970’s. The Knight family has long supported hardworking students in their pursuit of a college education. Their belief in education’s crucial role in the growth and development of an individual is evident through their giving to RSU and its predecessor institutions over the past four decades.
Tracing its roots back to 1909, RSU operates its main residential campus in Claremore, with additional campuses in Bartlesville and Pryor. Since becoming a four-year regional university in 2000, RSU has awarded more than 9,000 college degrees with many graduates receiving financial support through the generosity of private gifts.
For additional information or to support scholarship programs, contact the Rogers State University Foundation at 918-343-7773