Donor Gift Creates Lasting Opportunities for King's Students
At King’s, opportunity is often made possible by the people who stand behind a student: the family member who believes in them, the professor who encourages them, the staff member who helps them feel they belong, and the community that makes taking the next step feel possible.
A new $225,000 gift from the Denomy family will extend that kind of support to King’s students who may not otherwise have it, creating six annual continuing awards valued at $7,500 each beginning in Fall 2026. The family has also committed $1 million through their estate plans to ensure the awards continue in perpetuity, supporting King’s students for generations to come.
The gift reflects a deep belief in the power of education to change the direction of a person’s life, especially for students who are pursuing post-secondary education without strong financial or personal support systems. For the Denomy family, that belief is personal. Their connection to King’s began with their son and continued through their granddaughter, a mature student who returned to school to pursue new opportunities and build a different future for herself. Now in her third year at King’s, she hopes to become a teacher and has found a place where she feels supported by her professors, inspired by her classes, and connected to the campus community.
The Denomy family saw firsthand how meaningful that support was. They also understood that not every student has someone standing behind them in the same way.
While neither donor completed a university degree, they have long valued the power of education. They recognize that access to post-secondary education is not equal for everyone. Some students are not encouraged to pursue or continue their education. Some families are unable to provide financial support. Others may be returning to school after time away, changing careers, or trying to create a better future without the stability or encouragement that can make that path easier.
These are the students the Denomy Family Awards are intended to support: students with the ability and determination to pursue their education, but without the support that can make that next step possible.
The gift also reflects what the Denomy family came to see in King’s: a community where people take the time to care, where students are known, and where opportunity is shaped not only by academic programs, but by the relationships and support that surround them.
“This gift is a powerful example of people helping people in ways that can change the course of a life,” says Dr. Rob Ventresca, President of King’s University College. “The Denomy family recognized that harnessing the power of education requires creating real pathways to opportunity for students who might not otherwise find their way to a university degree. They recognize that talent and determination are not always matched by support. These awards help to close that gap. They are real access points, opening doors to students to pursue their education, discover their potential and become part of a community that believes deeply in their success.”
That spirit is central to King’s mission. As a Catholic liberal arts university, King’s is committed to learning experiences that support the whole person and help students grow, contribute, and pursue meaningful futures. The Denomy gift brings that mission to life in a tangible way, ensuring more students have access to a personalized education grounded in encouragement, relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.
By establishing the awards now, the Denomy family is creating immediate impact for students beginning in Fall 2026. Through their estate commitment, they are ensuring this support continues beyond their lifetime, carrying forward a legacy rooted in care, opportunity, and belief in what education can make possible.
This gift is a lasting expression of King’s mission in action: creating opportunities for students and helping them take the next step toward the lives they hope to build.