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Fund provides performing arts access to Sabetha students

August 16, 2016

KU alumni Kent and Donna Saylor of Sabetha, Kansas, have established a performing arts fund to provide Sabetha public school students free access to Lied Center programming.

The Kent and Donna Saylor Performing Arts Access Fund was established through KU Endowment with the Saylors’ $250,000 gift. The endowed fund will provide transportation and tickets to performances at the Lied Center of Kansas for students in the Sabetha public schools.

Kent and Donna Saylor of Sabetha, Kansas

Money from the fund will also go toward supporting the annual costs of Lied Center schools-only performances.

Any additional funds, if available, will be used to assist Sabetha students and teachers pursue arts-related activities at the University of Kansas.

Kent Saylor was born in Morrill, Kan., and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1969, followed by a law degree in 1972, both from KU. He has been president of the Morrill State Bank & Trust Company, which was founded by his grandfather, and also owner of Saylor Insurance Service Inc. Donna was born in Ottawa, Kan., and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1969 from KU.

The Saylors’ love of the performing arts sparked their interest in endowing the fund.

“Donna and I feel the arts are an important part of education,” Kent Saylor said. “We wanted to provide Sabetha students with more opportunities to attend live performances and Lied-sponsored schools-only programs as well as offer general support for the Lied Center’s schools-only programs. We look forward to seeing how the program works in the future and its results.”

Lied Center Executive Director Derek Kwan thanked the Saylors for their generosity.

“We are so grateful to Kent and Donna Saylor as their leadership helps to guarantee that free schools performances will continue for generations to come at the Lied Center,” Kwan said. “More importantly, they have ensured that the students of Sabetha public schools will have barrier-free access to Lied Center educational programming. Their vision truly has the potential to serve as a model for other rural communities throughout the state of Kansas.”

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Posted on
August 16, 2016
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