Community Comes Together to Establish a Legacy
From left to right, Joe and Carolyn Brown, Kayla Brock-Provencher, Karen O'Hara and Kirk Kulmer
For Joe and Carolyn Brown, providing scholarships for the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science has been a long-time priority. Both are retired educators: Joe, as former faculty and program director of the Couples and Therapy (CFT) Program at the Kent School, and Carolyn, as a retired school psychologist and administrator. In 2013, as a first step, they established the Joe and Carolyn Brown Endowed Fund to support a full-tuition scholarship for a student in the CFT program.
Their commitment continued in 2018 when they worked collectively with alumni and friends to establish the Family Empowerment Scholarship for CFT students working and volunteering in West Louisville. Though they were pleased with the overall growth of the Fund, last year, the Browns felt called to do more.
“We had a feeling something needed to change,” they share. “We spent countless hours and many nights talking and reflecting on the scholarship and how it could embody the spirit of service and dedication we envisioned. One name repeatedly came to mind: Hannah Lee Cooper.”
Hannah (UofL BSW 2011 and MSSW 2012) was an active member of their church who unexpectedly passed away in February 2021 and spent her young social work career advocating for Louisville families.
Joe and Carolyn Brown
Feeling moved to create a legacy in Hannah’s memory, Joe and Carolyn approached Hannah’s mother, Karen O’Hara, about renaming the scholarship. Deeply humbled and surprised, Karen agreed this was a perfect way to honor her daughter’s life.
“Hannah lived and breathed social work," says Karen. "She embodied the spirit of this scholarship because she went above and beyond the normal demands of the job to meet the immediate needs of the children and families in her care.”
Karen and her husband, Kirk Kulmer, have since been integral in raising additional funds in Hannah’s memory.
Gregg, Hannah and Karen at the 2011 Mental Health America of Kentucky Awards. Volunteer Advocate Award recipient for work with The Healing Place.
In 2022, the scholarship was officially renamed the Hannah Lee Cooper Family Empowerment Scholarship and awarded to the first recipient, Kayla Brock-Provencher (UofL MSSW 2023).
As with many families who experience life-changing events, Karen and Kirk needed to re-evaluate their estate plans. Although they had never previously considered a bequest, knowing that Hannah’s legacy has a “home” at UofL, they have designated a percentage of their estate to the scholarship Fund. They are touched by the generosity of the Browns and the greater community and are now proud members of the Cardinal family and the Conn Legacy Society. They look forward to seeing Hannah’s legacy live on through current CFT students like Kayla for many years.
To learn more about the many ways you can support UofL, please contact Kathryn J. Sides, M.A., CFRE, CAP® at (502) 852-5051 or plannedgifts@louisville.edu.
If you have already included the University of Louisville in your giving plans, please let us know so we may ensure your intentions are followed and thank you for your generosity.