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Captain Humayun Khan, a 2000 University of Virginia graduate, is remembered through
a Memorial Bicentennial Scholars Fund.
The Captain Humayun Khan Memorial Bicentennial Scholarship Fund is financed by the
Khan family, with a gift from Richard G. Clemens, a 1962 graduate of UVA’s College
of Arts & Sciences and a 1965 graduate of the UVA School of Law, as well as additional
contributions from alumni, parents, friends, and classmates. With matching funds
from the University’s Strategic Investment Fund, the scholarship’s initial endowment
totaled more than $200,000.
A $10,000 annual award will be given to a deserving student in need, with a first
preference for students in the ROTC program and a second preference for a student
majoring in a field in which the U.S. Constitution and its history are a common
area of focus, such as history or political science.
“This scholarship created in honor of Captain Khan is a powerful tribute to him
and to the supreme sacrifice that he made while serving our nation,” University
President Teresa A. Sullivan said. “We are grateful to the Khan family for this
generous gift. It will provide essential support for UVA students while honoring
the life, legacy, and memory of Captain Khan.”
The Bicentennial Scholars Fund is a permanent endowment established by the
Board of Visitors to support student scholarships. Backed by a combination
of philanthropic support and matching funds from the Strategic Investment
Fund, the overall endowment could grow as large as $300 million. The fund is
an important part of the University’s commitment to meet 100 percent of
demonstrated need with a need-blind admissions process. UVA is one of only
two public institutions in the U.S. with such a program.
For information about the Khan Scholarship or the Bicentennial Scholars
Program, please contact Adrienne Gardner: AGardner@virginia.edu
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"This accomplished young man was not driven to service as a United States
Army officer because he was compelled to by any material need. He was
inspired as a young man by his reading of Thomas Jefferson — and he
wanted to give back to the country that had taken him and his parents
in as immigrants when he was only two years old. Captain Khan's death
in Iraq, on June 8th, 2004, was a shining example of the valor and
bravery inculcated into our military. When a suicide bomber accelerated
his vehicle toward a facility with hundreds of American soldiers,
Captain Khan ordered his subordinates away from the danger. Then
he ran toward it. The suicide bomber, striking prematurely, claimed
the life of Captain Khan — and Captain Khan, through his selfless
action and sacrifice, saved the lives of hundreds of his brothers
and sisters. Scripture tells us that 'Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' Captain Humayun
Khan of the United States Army showed in his final moments that he was
filled and motivated by this love. His name will live forever in American
memory, as an example of true American greatness. I'd like to say to Mr.
and Mrs. Khan: thank you for immigrating to America. We're a better country
because of you. And you are certainly right; your son was the best of
America, and the memory of his sacrifice will make us a better nation -- and
he will never be forgotten." Sen. John McCain
"No one has given more for our freedom and our security than our Gold Star
families. Our Gold Star families have made a sacrifice that most of us
cannot even begin to imagine. We have to do everything we can for those
families and honor them and be humbled by them." President Barack Obama
"Captain Humayun Khan was a great officer. I join all those who stand in
support of the Khan family. This family is our family, and any attack on
this wonderful American Gold Star family is an attack on all patriotic and
loyal Americans who have sacrificed to make our country great. It is a great
country right now. Despite our flaws, the United States remains a beacon of
hope around the world. Any politically or racially motivated attack on the
Khans is despicable and un-American."
Former General Dana Pittard,
Captain Khan's commander in Iraq
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