Announcing: Uplift Community Alliance Endowed Scholarship
Uplift Community Alliance Endowed Scholarship
In Honor of Karen Schmitt Johnson
In the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering
University of Utah
In February 2026, Uplift Community Alliance established a scholarship endowment in honor of Karen Schmitt Johnson in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering at the University of Utah.
Karen was a vibrant, active member of Uplift Associates (formerly Consociates of the Assistance League Salt Lake City) whose life was tragically cut short in a cycling accident in 2010. At that time, she was chairperson of the Consociates group and passionately led them in projects that directly benefited the local community. This scholarship honors Karen’s enduring commitment to service, education, and community impact. She graduated from the College of Engineering in 1989 with a major in Electrical Engineering. Total funding of the initial endowment was provided by Karen’s family and close friends.
Uplift’s goal is to help defray the cost of higher education with this scholarship to be awarded annually to students pursuing a degree in the College of Engineering. Candidates must have been accepted into their major/department (typically junior- and senior-level students) and must demonstrate financial need and community engagement or volunteer experience. Preference will be given to students who: a) are Electrical Engineering majors; and b) are non-traditional students, generally meaning those whose educational journey has included a significant gap from high school, career, or previous higher education (may also include barriers to education related to employment or career change).
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more students, as available expendable funds allow, and may be renewable for up to 3 years to candidates who continue to qualify. Additional consideration may be given to students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, particularly that which supports children, women, and families in need, causes that were central to Karen Schmitt Johnson’s life and values.
- The initial intent is to fund 1-2 students per year with a scholarship of $6,000 each. Some funds from the endowment will be available annually at approximately 3-4% of the endowment fund. The balance of the $6,000/student amount will be made up by donations to and from Uplift Community Alliance.
- Donations can be made directly to Uplift Community Alliance designated either to:
- Karen Schmitt Johnson Scholarship Endowment - Donations to grow the endowment fund at the University of Utah
- Karen Schmitt Johnson Scholarship Expendable - Donations to the scholarship's expendable account at the University of Utah to provide $6,000 per student.
For more information on how to donate, contact: treasurer@ulcautah.org
Tributes from Uplift Community Alliance Members
“One of Karen S. Johnson’s strengths was simply, how she made us Consociates members feel. I joined Consociates in 1999, and the next year I was drafted to be Projects Chair, the position Karen then held. She was ever patient and pleasant as she showed me the ropes of managing the auxiliary’s philanthropic projects and replied to my questions. I knew she was smart; had heard she was charitably inclined in her off-work activities. But, as we went through the next few years, it was plain that she had all our members’ trust, attention and affection. Karen was people-oriented and was the kind of person you suspected woke up in the wee hours with some idea, or clarification, or guidance for the Consociates, which she loved. She was always well-organized and prepared for the responsibilities she carried out. So, while I was aware she was a star outside of Assistance League, what I remember most about her is how she made us feel --- the dedication and warmth I saw and felt in every instance with her.”
-Mary Black
"Karen's smile could light up a room. She joyfully championed causes that served the needs of less fortunate in our community. This scholarship that will live on forever is a beautiful tribute to her."
-Carrie Drown
“Karen’s passion for cycling and the outdoors reflected her resilience, discipline, and love of challenge. These qualities shaped both her character and her commitment to personal growth within her engineering profession and her service to others.”
-Joni Dahle
“If you’re lucky, your life includes someone who inspires you to do the right and brave thing — someone whose style is grounded in compassion and respect, who surprises you in the best ways, and who you trust with the hard conversations. For me, Karen was all of that and more.”
-Val Mercer