One of the most rewarding things Kitchen 8 does each year is award the Elizabeth Miller Watkins Memorial Scholarships. We are currently organizing K8 Alumni who would like to participate in the review and selection of the 2024 - 2025 scholars. We would like to encourage you to participate and experience the worthwhile and meaningful impact this scholarship has on so many KU women.
The scholarships will be awarded at the April K8 Annual Meeting. To meet this deadline the committee will review scholarship applications from about February 17th to March 30th this year. The new scholar applications are due electronically to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation by February 16, 2024. The reviewers will be assigned applications to score electronically on the Foundation's website. The first round of reviews will narrow the potential field of candidates to 10 to 15 with another round of reviews to select the scholars. Two Zoom meetings will be held to discuss the reviewers' online scoring and to recommend to the Board the final scholars.
If you would like to join this committee and participate in the selection of the next group of scholars, please contact Nancy Archer Rehkamp at nrehkamp@gmail.com. We look forward to working with you on this major Kitchen 8 project.
Thanks for your interest!
About Kitchen 8
Elizabeth Miller Watkins had a "dream to aid self-supporting girls to get an education". Through her generosity, creativity, and foresight, she created Watkins and Miller Scholarship Halls at the University of Kansas. Kitchen 8 (K8) is the continuation of that legacy, established and run by women who have benefited from living and prospering in either Watkins or Miller Halls. The unique communcal living experience shared on Lilac Lane cannot be compared at the University of Kansas or elsewhere.
As all Miller and Watkins residents know, part of the self sustaining theme within the Halls are the existence of 7 small kitchens where residents prepare and share meals. Although the use of the 7 kitchens has evolved over time, they remain an integral part of life and camaraderie within the halls. Kitchen 8 aims to be be a similiar link between Watkins and Miller women, past and present, to help further the legacy of Elizabeth Miller Watkins and advance her vision.
Our Mission
"....to help the girls who must travel uphill."
Kitchen 8 is an organization of Watkins and Miller Scholarship Hall alumnae and residents, EMW Memorial Scholars, and other supporters of Elizabeth Miller Watkins' dream "to help the girls who must travel uphill."
Kitchen 8 is dedicated to preserving and carrying forward the legacy of Mrs. Watkins to help exceptional but financially needy women to get an education. K8 seeks to provide a community of support to stakeholders by:
- maintaining communication,
- providing mentorship,
- awarding scholarships,
- staying informed and advocating for conditions at the Halls,
- preserving the Halls as scholarship opportunities for women who have exceptional achievement and financial need, and
- following Mrs. Watkins' example of generosity and compassion.
Support
If you wish to support Kitchen 8 or the Elizabeth Miller Watkins Scholarship Fund, please visit our Donation Center. We are grateful for any assistance!
DONATION FOR KITCHEN 8
Donation toward activities with the Residents of Watkins / Miller Halls or for communicating with Kitchen 8 members.
PROFILE UPDATES
| • | Keri O'Brien 10/15 |
| • | Marie Parker (2020) 10/15 |
| • | Sue Hubert 7/19 |
| • | Karis Paslay (2024) 7/3 |
| • | Debra Flint (Shores) (1969) 6/30 |
| • | Sarah Jane Dahms (2023) 6/28 |
| • | Mary Hrenchir (Hrenchir) (2023) 6/15 |
| • | Samuel Ritchie (Nichols) (2018) 6/9 |
| • | Mary Shaw (Shaw) (1978) 5/21 |
| • | Megan Krogh (2005) 5/17 |
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