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So far, everyone has liked what they see in the Kettering students who receive scholarship support.

“Everybody was quite impressed with the feedback we’ve received, especially the response from the students,” Perna said. “They are very committed to doing a good job as well as having a tremendous learning experience in the process. We’re very impressed with the fact that the kids are very responsive.”

Each year, the University sends a scholarship report to the Valentine Foundation. The report includes a breakdown of how the funds were distributed and a stack of thank-you letters from scholarship recipients.

In the letters, students describe why they chose Kettering and their majors. They also write about their Kettering experiences with descriptions of their favorite classes, Co-op projects, and clubs and organizations they’ve joined.

“Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems employs me for the brake validation team where we perform tests on the most advanced air disk brake systems available in the North American market,” Linhang Li ’23 wrote in her letter. “I enjoy contributing to the highway safety of the automotive and trucking industry as a whole. I feel that every bit of my contribution is valued.”

Some letters explain how the students might have been unable to attend Kettering without the support.

“Without this opportunity, I am unsure if I would be able to even go to Kettering, which will end up having a large impact in my academic career and lifelong career,” Annalei Dahlstrom ’27 wrote in her letter. “I wholeheartedly appreciate the opportunity you have given me, as it will cause a massive ripple effect for my whole life.”

Many students express gratitude for the scholarship because it will mean graduating with less debt.

“This scholarship will put a decent dent into the debt I will have incurred over my schooling at Kettering and will help ease my family’s worries,” Jared Kress ’26 wrote. “The generosity of the Valentine Foundation is monumental to not only me and my family but to the other students and their families that have received this award as well. The magnanimity of the Valentine Foundation will never go underappreciated by me. I feel honored to be supported by you guys, and will continue to put my best foot forward and always strive for greatness in and out of Kettering.”