Kenyan KU student hopes to ‘build’ his country

For KU students eyeing their future diplomas, post-graduation plans might include landing the perfect job, or graduate school, maybe a little travel.

For junior John Mutiso, graduation in 2007 will mean the chance to help build his native Nairobi, Kenya—one structure at a time.

“In Kenya, there’s a lot of improper construction,” said Mutiso, who is majoring in civil engineering.  “After I graduate I want to go home to develop stable buildings in urban areas. I hope to help build the country.”

To help him achieve his goal, the KU School of Engineering recently awarded Mutiso a new civil engineering scholarship created for international students from developing nations. Recipients of the John Colvin Robeson Family Scholarship state a commitment to return to their home countries and use their education to help improve their communities and nations.

Leawood, Kan., resident Daniel Robeson, c’69, and his brother, Mark Robeson, of Los Angeles, created the scholarship. When the brothers received an inheritance from their late uncle, John Robeson, e’38, they wanted to find a way to both memorialize him and help people in another part of the world. The two considered several ideas, including irrigation construction projects, food assistance programs and medical care.

“Finally over a year later, we settled on something that made incredible sense,” said Dan Robeson. “What is highly transportable, very difficult to take away from someone, and could help solve today’s needs as well as the needs of the future? We both agreed that the perfect answer to these questions was education.”

The brothers gave $50,000 to KU Endowment to create the scholarship. Mutiso will be the first recipient of the scholarship when he receives it for the 2006-2007 academic year. 

Mutiso said the financial assistance of the scholarship would help him reduce the time he spends working, currently more than 30 hours each weekend.

“My dad passed away two years ago, and I have a younger brother at home,” he said. “I’ve been on my own for several years, supporting myself. This scholarship will give me more time to study.”