Although this campaign has concluded, it's easy to give to Ohio University and support the Monique Mixner King Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The Monique Mixner King Memorial Scholarship was established by friends and family to be awarded to a deserving School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences student. Help us make sure it is awarded in the 2020-21 academic year!
When Monique Mixner King passed away in March of 2018 after battling cancer, her Bobcat family wanted to find a way for her to be remembered and honored through the school that she loved.
Monique graduated from Ohio University in 1993 with six of her best friends. One of these friends was Karey (Boals) Schner, who had a beautiful friendship with Monique for over 30 years. The two had met in their sophomore year at Ohio University when Monique joined Pi Beta Phi.
Boals described their friendship as a “love at first sight” relationship. As their friendship grew, it also expanded to include five other Pi Phi sisters: Carrie (Geese) Dupler, Caroline (Cofer) Golon, Susan Moran, Tiffany Takac, and Leticia (Leinard) Weidenhamer. The group was close in college, but even closer after leaving Athens.
They held a “girls weekend,” which later alternated with a “family weekend,” every year to reunite and catch up on life. The 19 kids between the six of them each grew up with five “aunties.” This group is the definition of best friends for life.
Monique’s group of sisters, along with her parents, Donna and Mel Mixner II, recently started a fund for the Monique Mixner King Memorial Scholarship in honor of Monique and her legacy. Their goal is to award $1,000 to a full-time, undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need in the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP), with preference given to those studying in the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences.
After leaving Ohio University, Monique worked as a speech therapist, including the 10 years that she spent at the Mason City School District. Her husband, Mike King, a fellow Bobcat, said that she absolutely adored her job because she was able to be an advocate for others and for Ohio University.
“She loved OU and really identified with it,” said Mike. “I think Monique would want more people to not only come into OU but specifically into that college program. She was an absolute passionate believer in speech therapy and building that.”
Most endowed scholarships take a few years to build up enough investment income to be awarded. However, the families of Monique—biological and Bobcat—are striving to be able to give out the scholarship right away.
“I just want Monique to be remembered,” said Boals. “I want Mike and their daughters to know that her life meant something and will always be remembered.”
Although this campaign has concluded, it's easy to give to Ohio University and support the Monique Mixner King Memorial Scholarship Fund.