April 18, 2008

Kneales give $207,500 to Grand Island Education Foundation

Dr. Mike Kneale, former Grand Island Public Schools superintendent, and his wife Patty have donated $207,500 to the Grand Island Education Foundation to establish a perpetual scholarship fund for students pursuing a postsecondary degree in education.

The first "Patty and Mike Kneale Education Scholarships" were awarded April 7 at the Academic Honors Banquet at the Heartland Events Center to seniors Brittany Hesman and Becky Berven. Each received a $5,000 scholarship and plans to major in education in college.

The Kneales are passionate believers in the power of education as a method to create opportunity, said Traci Skalberg, executive director of the Grand Island Education Foundation. 

Patty Kneale taught kindergarten and first grade for 25 years, including six years as a first-grade teacher at Shoemaker Elementary School in Grand Island. She started college after having two children and received her teaching degree at age 29. 

Mike Kneale was a teacher, principal, superintendent, and business owner during his career and is now a motivational speaker. He served as superintendent of the Grand Island Public Schools from 1979 to 1985. 

The Kneales' children, Micheal Kneale of Grand Island and Kathy Kneale Reimer of Hastings, both graduated from Grand Island Senior High School. Mike and Patty Kneale moved back to Grand Island to be near their children and grandchildren and now live in Hastings. Mike and Patty Kneale are members of the Grand Island Education Foundation Board of Trustees.

As part of an inspiring address during the Academic Honors Banquet on April 7 sponsored by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Mike Kneale noted the expectations of a beloved teacher drastically changed his life. 

Kneale planned to drop out of his Ohio high school to go to work in a rubber factory. This teacher believed in Kneale's capacity to lead and his ability to succeed. She expected him to graduate and found him a job at the school as a custodian for two years so he could continue his studies.

Kneale noted that during his and Patty's careers, they lived in many places. In Grand Island, they enjoyed a positive experience that that they found was not duplicated in other communities. Teachers, staff, parents, and Grand Island residents comprising the educational community were second to none. He noted that he did not experience the same high level of dedication to students in other communities. Grand Island teachers expect students to do well, and students rise to those expectations. 

The Patty and Mike Kneale Education Scholarship is an endowed fund administered by the Grand Island Education Foundation. The fund is perpetual and will generate two scholarships annually.

The Grand Island Education Foundation is a qualified non-profit organization and operating endowment that accepts gifts on behalf of the students who attend the Grand Island Public Schools. The Foundation administers more than 50 endowed funds gifted by individuals and corporations for the perpetual benefit of students. For more information, call Foundation Executive Director Traci Skalberg at 385-5900, ext. 170.

For more information, contact: Traci Skalberg, executive director, Grand Island Education Foundation, (308) 385-5900, ext. 170; tskalber@gips.org

Dr. Mike Kneale, Becky Berven, Brittany Hesman, and Patty Kneale (left to right) pose after the Kneales presented the Grand Island Senior High School seniors with scholarships at the Academic Honors Banquet on April 7.