Florida Tech Receives $2.1 Million Donation to Create the Endowed Kathleen Callahan Scholarship

scholarship will Support Students with Disabilities

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech has received over $2.1 million from the estate of Dr. John and Maria Callahan to create the endowed Kathleen Callahan Scholarship.

This scholarship is in memory of their daughter, a special education teacher, and advocate for helping underprivileged children.

It will recognize an outstanding undergraduate student or students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral challenges, or physical disabilities who demonstrate strong academic performance.

“This scholarship will be transformational for hundreds of students for decades to come,” said Gary Grant, SVP for Advancement.

John Callahan was an associate dean and professor of management at what is now the Bisk College of Business.

He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1998. He passed in 2018 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, having served his country honorably in both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army.

Maria Callahan enjoyed the activities and events of campus life at Florida Tech. Over the past ten years, she has sought to ensure the scholarship will impact the lives of students with disabilities.

The scholarship was a comforting way to honor Kathleen’s passion after her tragic passing.

“The Kathleen Callahan scholarship will help students achieve their academic goals and support them getting to graduation despite personal challenges that can arise when attending school,” said Brian Ehrlich, vice president, of enrollment management.

“We know that the needs of the students are real and that getting them through to graduation is the most important thing.”

The first scholarships will be awarded for the fall 2023 semester.

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