A lasting tribute to the life and impact of Brother Kenny J. DeForest (Beta Iota–Drury ’06) is helping aspiring teachers succeed. Drury University recently announced it received a $30,000 Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks—funding made possible in part through the Kenny J. DeForest Memorial Charitable Fund.
The grant aims to provide financial support to student teachers during their unpaid internships. These funds will help offset living expenses while students complete their final semester of training, making the path to licensure more accessible and equitable.
Kenny DeForest, a respected comedian and writer who passed away in 2023, left a lasting impact on the Drury and KA communities. In the years since his passing, friends and family established a charitable fund in his name to continue his legacy of service and compassion. Contributions from this fund helped make the grant to Drury University possible.
The Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact Grant program supports initiatives that address regional challenges through innovative partnerships. Drury’s award was one of just two major grants funded this cycle and reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to shaping the next generation of educators.
Brother DeForest’s legacy continues to inspire through meaningful initiatives like this, embodying the spirit of reverence, gentility, and leadership that Kappa Alpha Order holds dear.
For more on the Kenny J. DeForest Memorial Charitable Fund, visit cfozarks.org.
