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Alec and Kay Keith Endowed Scholarship

September 18, 2013

Alec D. & Kay M. Keith created an endowment to fund scholarships for UH Hilo students who are graduates of Hawai‘i high schools, with preference given to Hawai‘i Island high school graduates and residents of Hawai‘i, or citizens of U.S. territories, especially Pacific islands.

Since 2004-2005, 530 students have benefitted from the scholarship, including Elina Fred, who received both her BA and BBA from UH Hilo in 2012.

Q&A with scholarship recipient Elina Fred

Where does your story begin, Elina?

I’m an island girl, born in Kosrae, an island state of the Federated States of Micronesia. I am the second of four children raised by loving parents who cared for us as best they could despite economic challenges. My childhood was extraordinary. It was filled with happy memories of laying on the beach, owning imaginary businesses and catering to my “customers” (my parents, grandparents and neighborhood kids), lounging around on Sundays after church, enjoying the peace and quiet, listening to grandpa tell stories of his childhood, and hearing mom and dad reminisce about their younger days. It was a good life. There was always something to smile about.

What impact did UH Hilo have on your life?

After I graduated from Kosrae High School, I enrolled at UH Hilo. It took me longer to graduate with my BBA in accounting and BA in communication, but the journey was enlightening and very much worth it. During my time there, I made dear friends and learned from some of the best educators to ever walk the halls of academia. Though I faced some of the hardest times I’ve ever had while studying at UH Hilo, I came out a stronger and richer person in spirit, mind and heart.

“Financial support gave me a 23-year head start in life! If not for the generosity of donors who made it possible for me to enroll right out of high school, I would have been 41 years old before I could have attended my first college class.” —Elina Fred

How did scholarships make a difference for you?

As a student I received numerous scholarships and grants, and I would not be where I am today if not for financial aid. I once tallied up the total funding I received and calculated how long it would have taken to earn that money before college. The result was astounding: the financial support gave me a 23-year head start in life! If not for the generosity of donors who made it possible for me to enroll right out of high school, I would have been 41 years old before I could have attended my first college class. I was rocked and extremely humbled by the discovery. I will always be thankful to those who give financial assistance to people like me, who have potential but not the means of paying for our higher education.

Where are you now?

Currently I live in a small town in Southwest Oklahoma, where I am an associate at a bank. My goal of getting my CPA license is not too far away and life has been good since my days in college. All this has been possible largely thanks to the individuals who committed their resources to providing a means for folks like myself – who come from economically challenged families – to pursue education and earn our degrees. My parents taught me that a complete circle of life includes giving back to those that gave to you. It is my goal to one day be among those who continue that circle of giving back to the academic community and the larger community as a whole.

Any thoughts for Alec & Kay Keith?

For all that you’ve done and continue to do, many thanks from me and my family. Kulo ma lulap!


If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.