Dr. Jeff Fawcett KLA Scholarship Fund

Dr. Jeffrey Fawcett’s legacy was not built through grand gestures or the pursuit of recognition. It was built through the way he lived his life: quietly, faithfully, and consistently. Those who knew him best describe him as dependable, steady, humble, and authentic. From the classroom to the boardroom, from community involvement to his home, Jeff was the same person everywhere. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, reflected in his devotion to God and his commitment to serving others. He believed that the greatest impact came from simply showing up, doing your best, serving others, and helping people become the best version of themselves.

As a professor at Grace College, Jeff had a gift for seeing potential where others saw obstacles. He challenged students to dream bigger while never giving up on those whose journeys looked different. Years after graduation, former students often reached out to thank him; not simply for what he taught them about business, but for believing in them during the times when they struggled to believe in themselves. One student who returned to finish his degree at age 30 credited Jeff’s unwavering encouragement for the successful career he enjoys today. For Jeff, few things were more rewarding than watching the “light come on” during a student’s final presentation.

That same commitment to helping others grow shaped Jeff’s service and influence throughout the community. As board president of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy for more than a decade, he helped foster a culture of servant leadership, collaboration, and shared purpose that continues today. He believed Kosciusko County was something special, a place where businesses, nonprofits, educators, and civic leaders could work together for the common good. His focus was never on receiving credit. Instead, he cared about what could be accomplished when people came together with a shared commitment to making their community stronger.

At home, Jeff’s greatest pride was his family. Married to Tonya for 42 years, they built a life rooted in partnership, faith, learning, and laughter while raising their four children. Jeff led by example in the ways that mattered most, helping with homework, serving on boards connected to his children’s activities, tackling home projects, and nurturing a lifelong curiosity through books, museums, and meaningful conversations. His family remembers him as a devoted husband and father who was endlessly supportive, deeply present, and always invested in the people he loved.

To honor Jeff’s extraordinary life, the Dr. Jeff Fawcett KLA Scholarship Fund was established to provide annual scholarships to college students attending Grace College or Ivy Tech – Kosciusko, enabling them to participate in the Kosciusko Leadership Academy. Through this fund, Jeff’s legacy will continue to invest in students who have the potential to lead, serve, and make a lasting difference in their communities. It reflects the values that defined his life: faith, service, education, family, and a belief in the potential of others. Most fittingly, it will help create opportunities for future leaders to plant roots, serve others, and strengthen the community Jeff loved. Jeff understood that a meaningful legacy is not measured by personal achievement, but by the lives you encourage, the opportunities you create, and the people and communities you leave stronger. Through this scholarship fund, we hope to carry those values forward and continue the legacy Jeff lived each day, investing in generations of leaders to come.