AU KJS Memorial Scholarship Winners

The Kevin Joseph Sutherland Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Kevin’s family and close friends to provide scholarships to American University students committed to changing our country and world through political action. That fund was endowed in 2017 and a scholarship is now awarded each year to support a distinguished student in the School of Public Affairs. These are the distingusished students who have received this scholarship thus far:

  • Dakota Willenbrock

    “Kevin left an undeniable mark on AU; he is, of course, memorialized through the existence of various student organizations, who continue to benefit from the robust, detailed work that he once poured in. However, it might be said that Kevin left behind a larger, more important legacy: one of exceptional compassion and ambition. It is a privilege to have received the Kevin Joseph Sutherland Memorial Scholarship – to be associated with such a legacy, to be invested in as a future public servant. While this scholarship has certainly helped me with financial need, it has also introduced me to an inspiring role model and a wonderful support system. Above all, the scholarship has encouraged me to ponder the mark I choose to leave on the world – and to hope it will be something like the one Kevin left.”

    - Dakota Willenbrock, 4th Recipient of the KJS Memorial Scholarship
    2022

  • Gavin Rangel

    “As someone who has been interested in public service since before applying to college, receiving the KJS Scholarship while a student at American University was an honor that I have had the privilege of accepting. The scholarship allowed me to continue my studies and work towards my goal of becoming a public servant through the use of law as a tool for justice. It also introduced me to Doug and Terry, who are some of the kindest people I have ever met and have continuously supported me since our very first Zoom call. From the photographs around the School of Public Affairs, to the impact that he left on the students of American University and the community as a whole, Kevin's legacy lives on and I am forever grateful to be a part of it.“

    - Gavin Rangel, 3rd Recipient of the KJS memorial Scholarship
    2021

  • Alex Russo

    “In my time at AU College Dems and AUSG, Kevin’s legacy was unmistakable. The mark he left on the AU community continues to be seen and experienced by new generations of students every year. It has been a privilege to follow in his footsteps during my college career, to receive the Memorial Scholarship and to serve in the federal government. I proudly display some of his photos at my desk as a reminder of his love for our nation’s capital, and of his faith in the good that can come from public service.”

    - Alex Russo, 2nd Recipient of the AU KJS Memorial Scholarship
    2019

  • Devontae Torriente

    "Kevin set a high bar for what it means to serve as a student leader at AU. His example served as an important guide to me during my time on campus, especially during the moments when I worked out of the Kevin J. Sutherland Executive Office of the AU Student Government, which was named in his honor. I remain grateful to be the inaugural recipient of the memorial scholarship. It helped make my college education more affordable and I know it will continue to do the same for the recipients who come after me."

    - Devontae Torrente, Inaugural KJS Memorial Scholarship Recipient
    2017