SEU to Receive $12 Million for Scholarship Endowment

LAKELAND, Florida — Southeastern University (SEU) has announced that it will be receiving $12 million from the late Robert and Sandra Graper, as part of their planned end-of-life giving. The funds come as the second installment of a gift that established the Graper Family Scholarship Endowment earlier this year. This gift brings the total amount given by the Graper family to over $16 million this year.

Beginning in the fall of 2025, the endowment will provide scholarships for full-time students pursuing a ministry-related degree at SEU.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Graper family. Their gift will allow us to continue to carry out our mission of equipping the next generation of ministry leaders,” said SEU President Kent Ingle. “We are excited to see this gift transform the lives of our students and the communities they go on to serve, as well as continue to honor our relationship with the Graper family through Robert’s and Sandra’s children.”

Students selected for the scholarships can be pursuing any level of degree, including associate, bachelor’s, or postgraduate. They must also demonstrate a financial need and be actively enrolled in a ministry curriculum. Students who have been granted a scholarship will then be eligible to receive the scholarship each year until their graduation from SEU.

The Graper Family Scholarship Endowment was created after the passing of both Robert and Sandra, who were well-known for their desire to share the good news of the gospel and their contributions to churches, missionaries, charitable organizations, nonprofits, and higher education institutions.