The idea began, as many meaningful traditions do, with a simple question: What can we do now that will matter long after we’re gone?
For the members of the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Class of 1987, that question has taken shape in the creation of the Class of 1987 Endowed Scholarship Fund—a lasting commitment to support future students while honoring the shared experiences that defined their time at KSUCPM.
At the center of this effort is Dr. Bruce Blank, whose vision and persistence helped transform a conversation into something tangible and enduring. For Dr. Blank, the motivation was both personal and forward-looking. Reflecting on the relationships formed, the challenges overcome, and the education that launched their careers, he saw an opportunity for his class to give back in a way that would directly impact the next generation of podiatric physicians.
“This is about more than financial support,” Dr. Blank shared. “It’s about creating a legacy that reflects who we were as a class and what we value as professionals.”
The Class of 1987 Endowed Scholarship Fund is designed to provide consistent, long-term support to KSUCPM students, helping to ease financial burdens and open doors for those pursuing a career in podiatric medicine. But just as importantly, it represents a model—one that Dr. Blank hopes will inspire other classes to follow.
By positioning this effort as a “pilot,” the Class of 1987 is demonstrating what’s possible when alumni come together with a shared purpose. The structure is intentionally replicable, offering a blueprint for other graduating classes to establish their own endowed funds and build a culture of sustained giving across generations.
There is something uniquely powerful about a class-based initiative. It reflects not only individual generosity, but also collective identity. Each contribution, no matter the size, becomes part of a larger story—one that connects past, present, and future students through a shared commitment to the profession.
As the fund grows, so too does its impact. Today’s students will benefit from the generosity of those who came before them, and in time, they may feel inspired to continue the cycle. That sense of continuity is exactly what Dr. Blank envisioned: a living legacy that extends far beyond a single class year.
The creation of the Class of 1987 Endowed Scholarship Fund is both a milestone and a starting point. It honors the journey of one class while laying the groundwork for many others to leave their mark.
For KSUCPM, it is a reminder that the strength of the college lies not only in its curriculum or clinical training, but in the enduring connection of its alumni—individuals who continue to invest in its future long after graduation.
And for the Class of 1987, it is a statement of purpose: that the impact of their time at KSUCPM didn’t end in 1987—it’s only just beginning.