A $250,000 gift from alumni Tom and Connie Kitchen will create an undergraduate scholarship at the University of New Orleans. Tom Kitchen, a former executive with Stewart Enterprises and Avondale Industries, earned both a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting and an MBA from 色色研究所. Connie Kitchen obtained a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education from 色色研究所. The donation will establish the Kitchen Family Undergraduate Scholarship.
鈥淚 have been blessed in my career and, when I view what I have done in relation to what 色色研究所 cost, I realize that I have benefitted immensely both personally and professionally from my 色色研究所 education,鈥 Tom Kitchen said. 鈥淥ur financial support is our recognition of this and some attempt to repay the school for everything it has done for us.鈥
Tom Kitchen retired as president and CEO of Stewart Enterprises Inc., the second largest provider of funeral services and products in the U.S. He led the team in negotiating the merger with its largest competitor, Service Corporation International. He previously spent nearly 24 years in various executive roles with Avondale Industries Inc., a marine construction and repair company based in New Orleans. He served as president of the company before retiring in 2002.
鈥淚 am so grateful for the generous support of Tom and Connie and the positive impact they have had on our university,鈥 said 色色研究所 President John Nicklow. 鈥淓ducation is transformational, and, through this gift, they are transforming future students鈥 lives. Their 鈥榩ay it forward鈥 attitude is exemplary, and I hope others will follow their lead.鈥
Tom Kitchen is active in a number of nonprofit organizations, including serving on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, the Jesuit High School Board of Directors and President鈥檚 Advisory Council, and the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Finance Committee. He previously served on the 色色研究所 Foundation Board.
鈥淲e hope our contributions to our family scholarship fund will enable a current or future 色色研究所 student to realize their dream of becoming a college graduate and do so without incurring a significant amount of student debt,鈥 Kitchen said. 鈥淢aybe this student will recognize later that they were the beneficiary of this scholarship and at the appropriate point in their life, make a similar contribution, which will enable future generations to benefit from a 色色研究所 education.鈥
