Your Legacy Creates A World of Possibilities

Washburn donor’s generosity is opening doors for future business leaders

Kari Edelman and Rajeshwori Malla, recipients of the Angela V. Holliday & Lloyd W. Jones Scholarship.

Donors who leave legacy gifts seldom meet the students whose lives their philanthropy will profoundly impact. But their forward-thinking generosity has and will make an incredible difference.

Angela Holliday was born in a small town in Nebraska in 1918. An entrepreneur at heart, she worked as a beautician out of her home for forty years. Angela also became a world traveler – after retiring, she and her son, Lloyd, took cruises all over the globe.

In addition to her adventurous personality and hard work ethic, Angela was philanthropic. She gave to several causes, with Washburn University at the top of her list thanks to a very personal connection. Her second husband, A. Owen Holiday, attended Washburn Rural High School as a boy – and in the final years of his life he was attended to by a wonderful Washburn-educated nurse.

Naturally, Washburn was dear to Angela’s heart. When she passed away in 2017, she left a portion of her estate to create a scholarship at the Washburn University School of Business.

Opening the Door to a Washburn Degree

Fast forward five years, and another young woman from a small Midwestern town – Kari Edelman from Sabetha, Kansas – was weighing her college options. Cost was at the top of her list of concerns. As one of four siblings, she knew she would be paying her own way and working while she earned her degree. What tipped her in favor of Washburn was financial aid.

“Of the schools I applied to, Washburn was by far the one that had the most scholarships for me,” Kari said. “I was blown away by what was available, and how much more affordable Washburn was compared to some of the other colleges I was looking at. It made it an easy decision.”

Kari is now a junior, studying marketing and management and working in the Office of Student Life during the school year. She also interns in her hometown during summers. Kari is well on her way to achieving her goal of graduating debt free and has taken advantage of all Washburn offers. She is involved in student activities and even studied abroad, traveling to France and Belgium as part of the International Business and Entrepreneurial Experience in the School of Business.

“I had never left the country before, but I had such a wonderful time,” Kari said. “It really expanded my horizons and got me interested in international travel.”

Paving the Way Forward

Rajeshwori Malla, a sophomore, knows something about international travel. She came to Washburn all the way from Nepal.

“Opportunities for women in STEM fields are still very limited in my home country,” Rajeshwori said. “So, I knew I wanted to study in the United States. When I found Washburn, it felt very right-sized, with a great business school, and very good financial aid. I definitely feel like I made the right decision – I had an amazing first year.”

Rajeshwori studies data analytics and computer and information sciences. She hopes to take her experience back with her to Nepal after graduation, and advocate for more opportunities for women in education and STEM fields.

Lives Forever Changed

This past year, Kari and Rajeshwori were among the 18 recipients of the Angela V. Holliday & Lloyd W. Jones Scholarship – their life trajectories forever changed by Angela’s legacy.

For Rajeshwori, knowing she is being helped by the generosity of others means more than just financial aid.

“It makes me feel supported,” she said. “Coming thousands of miles from home, it makes me want to strive for excellence, knowing I am a part of someone’s legacy. I want to honor that.”

Kari agrees. “It’s humbling to think that your life is being changed by the generosity of somebody you’ll never meet. It’s inspiring. I hope that one day I’m able to pay it forward and give someone else the kind of opportunity that Mrs. Holliday has given me.”

You Can Lead the Way

Your generosity can help students like Kari and Rajeshwori – to learn more about scholarships, contact Erin Aldridge at 785.670.4483 and PlannedGiving@wualumni.org today.