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APRIL 5, 2014 - Scholarship Presentation and Benefit Dinner Dance
2009 Scholarship Recipient Comments
It is with mixed emotions that I stand before you this evening. Although I am sincerely honored and grateful for the scholarship that I was awarded five years ago, I cannot help but be saddened by the fact that it was established as a result of the tragic loss of Kevin Eidt. Even years after his passing, Kevin’s spirit continues to resonate in the Norwalk community, the Boston College community, and in those whose lives he touched.
Kevin’s light permeates into the lives of others, inspiring those around him to share in his legacy. Edith Wharton once wrote: “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it”. Kevin was the candle that lit the way for us to continue the journey. It is our responsibility to be the mirrors that reflect Kevin’s aspirations, ideals, and compassion that he had for others. By keeping Kevin’s ideals ever present in our lives, we can ensure that we will be sharing him with the rest of the world.
The Kevin Eidt scholarship has given me so much more than the opportunity to attend my dream school. It has truly shaped my life and the person that I strive to be going forward. He led the way by his exemplary character, his selflessness and his unwavering loyalty to those he loved. Kevin’s memory has allowed me to cherish every day and to never take the people around me for granted. It has shown me how precious life really is and how things can change in a matter of an instant. Often through adversity and sorrow, we find strength to move forward; we strive to be better. Kevin’s life gave me the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. It gave me an incredible opportunity to be a part of this great community, which in some way shares Kevin’s spirit; a community of people always striving for the good of those around them.
During my four years at Boston College, I was fortunate enough to see the Eidt family quite frequently. Their presence on campus, whether at football tailgates, or at the Annual Emergency Medical Service banquet established in Kevin’s honor, was a constant reminder of their generosity, compassion, and sacrifice to keep Kevin’s memory alive.
Boston College has not only provided me with a solid Jesuit education, but also with so many incredible memories. I have gained meaningful friendships, experiences, and knowledge that I will always treasure. Unlike many Boston College students who walked the campus, I saw it as a place of Kevin’s. I wondered if Kevin ate in the same cafeteria, what he thought about while walking to classes, or if he had as much fun playing in the band at the football games as I had watching in the stands. BC’s campus was filled with Kevin’s presence for me. In reality, BC could not have been a better fit for Kevin. The school’s philosophy of teaching its students the importance of being “men and women for others” is what Kevin lived for, and what he inspired in others. Through all of the volunteer opportunities on campus, I was reminded of Kevin’s generosity and selflessness. Although Kevin’s time may have been short at Boston College, his presence is felt everywhere. The Emergency Medical Services and the scholarship in the Carroll School of Management both established in Kevin’s name, keep his legacy alive. Each year many students benefit from the generosity of the Eidt family and are inspired to carry out Kevin’s altruistic messages.
I would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank the Eidt family for sharing their love of Kevin with all of us, and for allowing us into their lives. Your courage and generosity are unparalleled. Few people would have had the strength to help others after such an unimaginable loss. Your perseverance and tireless devotion to your son’s memory is commendable. I would also like to thank my family for being here with me this evening and for all of their support throughout the years. The values they have instilled in me, I hope to always carry.
Lastly, I want to thank each and every person in this room. While I may not know all of you, we share common values that connect us to Kevin. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this great community. To quote one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho, “we are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling, and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity”.
We must never underestimate the importance of a moment. Thank you all for sharing this moment with me. Most importantly, thank you to the Eidt family whose love for Kevin assured that his legacy will continue and whose generosity has made a huge impact on all of the Kevin Eidt scholarship recipients. Most people live an entire lifetime without leaving such an impact as did Kevin. His legacy lives through each and every one of us. Kevin lives in the stories we share about him and in the way we choose to live our lives, as Kevin did with grace and selflessness.
Thank you.
Background
The Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship Fund was established through the generosity of the many people Kevin touched in his short life. Kevin, an 18-year-old dean's list freshman in the honors program at Boston College, passed away from cardiac arrest on January 23, 1997 while playing intramural basketball. Kevin set the example of the passion and sincerity we should bring to each day. He was an individual with vision, commitment, abiding hope, aspirations, and compassion. And when we look back, it was a life, albeit a glimpse of life, by which people can be measured and judged by.
Mission
The mission of the Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship Fund is to preserve Kevin's spirit by paying tribute to achievements in academics, athletics, arts, and the virtues of service and faith that were the essence of Kevin's life.
Fund Facts
With 12 scholarships, valued at $160,500, awarded to the class of 2023, Kevin's Fund will have provided $2.7 Million in financial support to 222 exemplary young men and women matriculating at over 85 diverse colleges and universities in Kevin's memory. The dramatic growth in scholarship awards is directly related to the financial success of our annual benefit dinner dance, which began in 2000 and funded scholarships for the class of 2001. As a result of this generosity, Kevin's Fund has awarded the following scholarships.
To the class of 1997 $3,750 To the class of 1998 $5,000 To the class of 1999 $12,000 To the class of 2000 $13,000 To the class of 2001 $47,000 To the class of 2002 $55,000 To the class of 2003 $70,000 To the class of 2004 $85,000 To the class of 2005 $100,000 To the class of 2006 $111,000 To the class of 2007 $127,000 To the class of 2008 $139,000 To the class of 2009 $140,000 To the class of 2010 $118,000 To the class of 2011 $117,000 To the class of 2012 $115,000 To the class of 2013 $121,000 To the class of 2014 $122,000 To the class of 2015 $124,000 To the class of 2016 $122,250 To the class of 2017 $124,000 To the class of 2018 $127,000 To the class of 2019 $128,000 To the class of 2020 $128,000 To the class of 2021 $126,500 To the class of 2022 $156,000 To the class of 2023 $160,500
For the 2023 – 2024 academic year, Kevin’s Fund is providing financial support to 15 students matriculating at American University, Boston College (2), Champlain College, Columbia, Dartmouth, George Washington University, Liberty, Northeastern, Sacred Heart, Southern Connecticut State, UConn (2), Univeristy of Delaware, and UMass-Amherst.
| Scholarship Fund Accomplishments as of June 30, 2023 | |
| Recipients | 222 |
| Awards | $2,700,000 |
| Funding as % of Contributions | 99.5% |