Gift creates scholarships for former Summer Venture in Business participants

A gift from University of Kansas alumna Rebecca Lyons, who worked at Johnson & Johnson for more than 30 years, will provide scholarships for School of Business students who previously participated in its Summer Venture in Business program.

The precollege summer academy invites rising high school students who are underrepresented and/or potential first-generation college students to the Lawrence campus to explore business topics and academic resources. The scholarship fund will provide support to enrolled undergraduate KU Business students who first connected with the school through the Summer Venture in Business program.

Lyons, who graduated with an accounting degree, began her career at Johnson & Johnson in a finance role and held several positions including plant manager, call center manager and eventually vice president of supply chain operations. She also participated in the company’s leadership development programs, leading the Finance Leadership Development Program and helping establish the Global Operations Leadership Development Program. Lyons credits the support and mentorship she gained from these programs with her desire to connect others to personal and professional development opportunities.

“I hope this scholarship will help give a leg up to deserving students,” Lyons said. “In addition to wanting to help underrepresented students, I appreciate knowing there’s an infrastructure in place at the school for these students to receive guidance and support. I want to see them be successful.” 

Lyons hopes her gift encourages others to consider giving back through financial support, mentoring or other engagement opportunities. 

“It’s not for me to say how or when people give back, but I hope people who have an opportunity to do so will in some way,” she said. “My gift is a result of me having received opportunities and mentorship, and I hope it helps perpetuate a cycle of giving.”