Student Stories
Kimberly Moore
Baldwin, Kan.
Spanish education, class of 2011
“If it weren’t for Christina Hixson, I wouldn’t be at KU right now.”
Kimberly Moore’s dream came true in April. She learned she’d been selected to receive the Christina M. Hixson Opportunity Award, a $5,000 annual scholarship for students with financial need, for up to four years. It represents up to $20,000 in aid per student.
Hixson established the endowed scholarship in 2006 through a $5 million gift to KU. She specified that candidates must be graduates of Kansas high schools, who, because of life challenges or lack of resources, might not consider pursuing a college education.
Moore cried for joy when the letter arrived. Even today, when the Baldwin High School graduate talks about the scholarship, tears pool in her eyes.
The scholarship program offered the first 10 awards to freshmen admitted for the 2007-2008 academic year. It will continue to add 20 more scholarships each year until it supports renewable scholarships for 40 students.
“I think it’s amazing that any one person could be so generous,” said Moore, who plans to teach high school Spanish. “That’s $20,000 to help each of us through college. It’s an astounding amount of money, and she willingly gave it to us. People like Ms. Hixson make the world a better place.”
Moore, who earlier qualified for a $2,500 annual KU Scholarship, as well as the opportunity to live in a scholarship hall, knew the Hixson award meant she could afford KU, the college of her choice.