KCI is pleased to announce that the 2026 Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to 10 students.
The annual program offers children of KCI employees the opportunity to receive $4,000 to put towards the cost of their education. The 10 awardees were selected from 57 applicants companywide. The selection criteria included academic achievement, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors and accolades, work experience, and educational and career goals.
Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s scholarships:
Drew Baumgartner, son of Rob Baumgartner
Attending Cedarville University, Drew is majoring in Molecular Biology as part of the Premedical Program. Now entering his sophomore year, he has already secured a provisional seat at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) through its highly competitive Early Acceptance Program. He has also gained extensive hands-on clinical experience working as a Patient Care Technician, where he will have completed approximately 360 hours of direct patient care before his second year. Through these experiences, Drew has confirmed his passion for medicine and aspires to become a physician dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality patient care.
Lucas Dawson, son of Tony Dawson
Lucas, who is entering his freshman year, is attending Florida Atlantic University, majoring in General Business while pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is building a strong foundation in business principles, management, and organizational operations while developing an understanding of strategic decision-making and risk management. After earning his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend law school to earn a Juris Doctor focusing on corporate law, advising businesses on contracts, regulatory compliance, and major transactions such as mergers and acquisitions.
Henry Hottenstein, son of Aaron Hottenstein
Entering his junior year, Henry is majoring in Food Science at The Pennsylvania State University. He discovered his passion for research through his work as an undergraduate research assistant, contributing to projects involving milk protein-based films for sustainable food packaging and milk proteins to improve drug formulations. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in Food Science, continuing research focused on developing innovative functional uses for food. Ultimately, he aspires to work in research and development for a company that provides high-quality ingredients and manufacturing solutions, helping drive innovation toward a more sustainable and healthier future.
Grace Ilunga, daughter of Jimmy Ilunga
Attending the University of South Carolina Aiken, Grace is majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Now in her senior year, she is developing the technical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in this field. After graduation, she aspires to become an Information Security Analyst or a related role, using her expertise to protect organizations while giving back to her community and supporting others who may follow a similar path.
Aubrey Alonzo Masaoy, daughter of Aurelius Masaoy
As she enters her junior year at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Aubrey is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She is preparing to start clinical rotations, building the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for a career in patient care. After graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse before returning to school to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Labor and Delivery or Obstetrics. Passionate about women’s health, she aspires to educate and advocate for patients while helping improve the quality of care women receive.
Cassidy Nuss, daughter of Robert Nuss
Cassidy is attending The Pennsylvania State University where she is majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience option. Now in her junior year, she has combined her passion for neuroscience and psychology with hands-on healthcare experience as an EMT, where responding to emergencies involving stroke patients, traumatic brain injuries, and individuals with dementia inspired a deep interest in clinical neuropsychology. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology, with the goal of advancing research while providing compassionate care to individuals with neurological disorders and helping improve the lives of patients and their families.
Zachary Reeves, son of Brent Reeves
Attending the University of Oregon now in his sophomore year, Zachary is majoring in Accounting. He has begun the accounting track and is building a strong foundation through upper-level business coursework while planning to become more involved in business organizations and pursue leadership opportunities on campus. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to attend a top graduate accounting program to obtain his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential and eventually lead a successful career with one of the Big Four accounting firms.
Ismael Rios, son of Roberto Rios
Entering his freshman year at The University of Texas Austin, Ismael plans to major in Mechanical Engineering. He hopes to improve his skillset and grow his experiences within the engineering field. Long-term, Ismael hopes to pursue a career in the aerospace or automotive industry working on spaceships for NASA or airplanes for Boeing.
Abigale Rothrock, daughter of Rich Rothrock
A sophomore at American University, Abigale is pursuing a double major in Public Relations & Strategic Communications and Psychology. With these combined degrees, she is developing a strong understanding of human behavior, communication, and strategic messaging. She hopes to build the skills needed to connect with others, communicate effectively, and make a meaningful impact in her community through a career centered on understanding and influencing human behavior.
Brooke Schabdach, daughter of Kristen Schabdach
Brooke plans to major in Special Education as she enters her freshman year at Messiah University. She is exploring a career dedicated to serving others, inspired by years of volunteering in an autism support classroom, mentoring youth through athletics, and leading community service initiatives. She is passionate about education, leadership, and helping individuals reach their full potential. Through her studies and experiences, she hopes to build a career centered on making a meaningful difference in the lives of others while continuing to grow as an educator, mentor, and advocate.
Congratulations to all the recipients and applicants who are continuing to fuel personal growth through education.