Founders Story

Since childhood, Karen has been taught the value of giving back. Growing up in High Point, NC, she was surrounded by love and the commitment to support one’s community, help others succeed, and find solutions to ever-growing needs. 

As a first-generation student, she received her bachelor’s degree in interior design from Western Carolina University and has since dedicated her life to paying it forward.

As a faithful philanthropist, Karen is focused on transforming lives meaningfully and personally.

As a first-generation student from humble beginnings in the rural coal mining area of Knott County, Kentucky, Stanley understands first-hand the importance of access to education and paying it forward.

At 17, he received a scholarship to study mining engineering at the University of Kentucky. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering in 1981, Stanley committed to creating opportunities and transforming students' lives for future generations.

Stanley and Karen Pigman are steadfast education advocates and actively seek opportunities to champion it. 

They are specifically invested in helping students with unmet needs and students from Appalachia achieve their academic dreams.

They dream of being part of a growing program to produce more engineers and computer scientists, which will benefit the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world.

Lighting the way for STEM education

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Lighting the way for STEM education -

They know that producing more engineers and computer scientists will change not just this generation but generations of many families.

Stanley and Karen Pigman work diligently to eliminate barriers and inspire success.