Honoring Students, Honoring Humanity

Photo Credit: August Miller

This past week has been difficult for our friends and colleagues at Utah Valley University. Our hearts are heavy as we grieve with the UVU community after the tragic loss of life on campus. We hold the students, faculty, and staff close in our thoughts, extending our love and compassion to all who are hurting.

In the midst of sorrow, we also recognize the resilience, strength, and hope that UVU embodies. It is in this spirit that the Roots of Humanity Foundation was honored to award two full-tuition scholarships to UVU students for the Fall semester.

These scholarships were created to reflect our mission of uplifting humanity through education and service. Applicants were asked to share how their academic journey could help elevate humanity, and this year’s recipients inspired us with their vision and compassion.

• Luana Pereira dos Santos, studying Social Work, wrote:“In everything I do, I try to be part of the village that helped raise me. Social work is more than a career path. It’s a way to give back, bring hope, and remind people that they matter.”

• Brandie Statham, studying Marriage and Family Therapy, reflected:“The Roots of Humanity Foundation’s vision—a world illuminated by creativity, knowledge, and belonging—reminds us of what we can build together. Through my work as a therapist, I hope to advance that vision in lasting ways.”

Their words remind us of the light and love that can continue to grow even in times of hardship.

Our connection with UVU spans more than a decade. Together with 350 students and 25 professors, Tom and Gayle Holdman created the Roots of Knowledge stained-glass masterpiece in UVU’s Fulton Library — a celebration of learning, collaboration, and hope. The impact of that project sparked the creation of our foundation, and it is in that same spirit that these scholarships were established.

As Dr. Kyle Reyes of UVU shared:“Tom and Gayle Holdman have been extraordinary partners to Utah Valley University for years, using their art and the Roots of Humanity Foundation to bring people together and inspire hope.”

We echo his words with gratitude and love.

Though this moment is filled with grief, it is also filled with hope for the future — embodied by students like Luana and Brandie, and by a community that continues to stand strong together.

May these scholarships serve not only as financial support but also as a symbol of our shared belief: that through compassion and the values of the Seven Pillars, humanity can heal and rise.

Best,

• Roots of Humanity