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The Honors School Takes on First Year Long Mission

Honors Students Support The Kourtney Rose Foundation


Honors students are known for being dedicated to their homework, but now they would like to be known for their dedication to philanthropy as well. The Honors School has decided to support a charity this year, The Kortney Rose Foundation. This is the first time that the Honors School has decided to take on a year long service project.

The Kortney Rose Foundation, according to the mission statement on TheKortneyRoseFoundation.org, was created to raise awareness about pediatric brain tumors as well as raise funds to further research for treatments and a cure. The foundation was founded by Kristen Gillette, a secretary in the political science department, after her daughter Kortney died from a brain tumor at age nine.

Ryan Murphy, a junior and head of the mentoring program, wanted to start a philanthropy project for the mentoring program. The Honors Mentoring Program assigns each honors freshman an upper-class mentor to help guide them through their first year at the University.

Murphy felt that this would be an effective way to get first year students involved on campus. “The mentoring program, still young, is trying to expand and present the first year students with new opportunities to reach their full potential here at Monmouth.  As the program head, I believe community service is a great way to give back to others, while also learning about yourself and those around you.”

Rachel Brady, a sophomore and honors mentor, said she was excited about the Honors School’s philanthropy project. “I love that the Honors School supports a charity. It’s a perfect way for the Honors School to bond while also helping a great cause,” Brady said.

Fundraising is not their only goal. While money is certainly one aspect, the group would also like to raise more awareness. Murphy said, “We feel that it should be about both [raising money and awareness].  The students have broken up into two different committees, one for each. Of course raising money is vital, but bringing the organization to the attention of the community is an important way to raise awareness on pediatric brain cancer.”

Gillette, President of The Kortney Rose Foundation, is happy to have the Honors School’s support.

“The Kortney Rose Foundation is grateful and excited that the Monmouth University Honors School has chosen us for their philanthropy this year. With their help, we are hoping to accomplish both parts of our mission which is to raise funding for desperately needed research into better treatments and cures for pediatric brain cancer and also to bring awareness to this ‘orphan disease’ and the little known fact that brain tumors are the #1 solid tumor cause of death in children 20 and under,” said Gillette.

Dean of the Honors School, Dr. Kevin Dooley, said he was thrilled when Murphy proposed this idea. “Honors students have responsibility that is greater than what [they] learn in just the classroom. [Honors students] have given a lot intellectually. [Honors students] have worked really hard, and I think it’s very important that [they] demonstrate that [their] learning isn’t just about being in the classroom and acquiring knowledge, but it’s about learning by promoting [some] sort of social responsibility.”

As a professor in the political science department, Dooley was already familiar with Gillette’s foundation. Dooley mentioned that it is important for anyone to know who they are working with when it comes to community service. Because he is familiar with Gillette and her foundation, he says he knows exactly where the money and time for The Kortney Rose Foundation are going.

Money raised for The Kortney Rose Foundation is donated to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where Kortney was treated. Last year, the foundation raised $140,000 for CHOP. The foundation has raised over $500,000 for CHOP over the past five years, according to the foundation’s website.

Murphy said he is working closely with Gillette to make sure they follow The Kortney Rose Foundation’s mission. “Kristen and I meet from time to time, and we have plans for her to come present to the students about her work and her organization.  Kristen has great ideas for future projects and fundraisers so her participation is integral and so appreciated!” Murphy said.

While Superstorm Sandy temporarily set some planned events back, Murphy plans to kick off the New Year by pushing the philanthropy project into overdrive. Murphy could not confirm any concrete ideas, but he hinted at future plans. Bake sales are definitely likely, and a special Valentine’s Day fundraiser is a possibility.

Brady showed enthusiasm for the project. She said, “I hope that the Honors School will be able to raise as much awareness and money for this cause as possible and that people will rally around a philanthropy that we care about so much.”

Murphy also stressed that while this project is from the Honors School, participants do not have to be in the Honors School. Murphy said, “Our fundraiser ideas will not be able to function without the help of the entire Monmouth Community.”

Meetings for The Kortney Rose Foundation are held every Friday at 4 pm in Beechwood Hall.