The Oneida Education Foundation would like to announce the establishment of four new scholarship endowments that will benefit graduates of Malad High School. These new endowments join the 53 scholarship endowments previously established through the Oneida Education Foundation.

In 1988, the first permanent endowment fund was established at the time the Oneida Education Foundation was organized. The children of William H. and Cecelia D. Rutter set up this fund as a permanent memorial to their parents.  Shortly afterward, two of Malad High School’s best-known teachers, Robert Waldron and Joe Davis, died, and their families and students established two scholarship funds in their memories.

During the past year, the family of Krishele Willie Jensen established a scholarship endowment in her memory.  Krishele worked as a substitute teacher during the years her own children were growing up and then became a full-time teacher at Malad Middle School before she passed away from cancer.

Another scholarship fund was established by the daughters of Frank and Donna Gayle Madsen. Before retiring, Frank was a long-time auto shop teacher and successful wrestling coach.  Recipients of this scholarship will have taken auto shop classes and/or participated in wrestling at Malad High School.

Shortly after Dennis Thomas died unexpectedly, a small scholarship endowment was set up in his memory.  Recently, Dennis’s wife Brenda and their son Jerry established the F. Dennis Thomas Family Scholarship Endowment. Brenda and Jerry were co-owners of Thomas Market, which they sold to the Broulim’s company in June 2025. The Thomas family, beginning with Dennis’s father Stan, had operated the grocery store for 75 years. 

In December, Jay and Julie Hansen established the J & J Farm Endowment to fund scholarships in education (even years) and agriculture (odd years). Jay’s family has owned a large farming operation for many years in Oneida County, and Julie was a long-time kindergarten teacher at Malad Elementary School.

When a new endowment is set up by families, friends, and community members, it becomes a permanent legacy for the persons, families, and organizations for whom the endowment is named. When these funds reach $1000, they are invested in secure mutual funds through Edward Jones Investments with Erik Knutsen as the broker and financial adviser.  With earned interest and ongoing donations, these funds will last in perpetuity to support Oneida County schools and students as stipulated by the donors. 

(In the unlikely case of an endowed fund running out of money, it is closed. To date, only three scholarship funds have been closed due to lack of funds.)

The OEF works with donors to establish the criteria for the awarding of student scholarships. Last year the OEF awarded 88 scholarships valued at $44,000 to 38 MHS graduates. Without the generous donations from families, friends, community members, organizations, and businesses, these awards would not be possible. 

The Oneida Education Foundation will conduct its major fund-raising project in January. The OEF Mail-a-Thon took the place of the original Phone-a-thon when the use of cell phones made finding phone numbers difficult.  When the OEF Mail-a-thon contacts you, please consider donating to one or more of the OEF’s endowed funds, all of which will be listed on the donation form.

For information about establishing an endowment through the Oneida Education Foundation, please contact Jean Thomas, Chair.