NSU Staff Member Funds Changing Lives Scholarship In Memory Of COVID-19 Victim
NSU staff member Jamie Johnson is honoring her long-time friend and late-pastor with a legacy that continues to make an impact.
The Kevelin B. Jones, Sr. Changing Lives Scholarship was established in honor of Kevelin B. Jones, Sr., who sadly passed one day after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus in Flint, MI. Jones was the leader of Bountiful Love Ministries in Flint.
Johnson, a director of accounting at NSU, explained that she decided to name the newly established Changing Lives Scholarship after Pastor Jones because “he was the epitome of ‘community,’ […] and he changed so many lives.”
Jones’ community-driven work started with his role as a job coach at Goodwill Industries and continued through his leadership at church. He fundraised and advocated for families in his congregation and offered a roof to a family that lost their home in a fire.
During the Flint water crisis in February 2016, Jones collaborated with other organizations to provide hundreds of cases of water to families that needed clean water.
“He carried and distributed the cases of water with volunteers at the church and was willing to be there at odd hours even if no one else was there. That was the last time I saw him… he was working for his community,” Johnson said.
Despite going through significant hardships in his life including kidney and liver transplants, prostate cancer, and even the painful death of two of his daughters, Jones never stopped helping others.
“I am the person I am today because of him,” Johnson highlighted.
Johnson also shares that the motivation behind her gift to NSU reflects the strong sense of community instilled in her by her family. She recounts how much value her mother placed on education, and as someone who graduated with significant student debt herself, felt the urge to help.
“One of my former employees, who was also a student at the time, benefitted greatly from scholarships offered by NSU, and I was able to see how much it helped her. I can relate to that,” she said. “Where your treasure is, your heart will lead. And what better place to give than the place that allows me the opportunity to give?”
To learn more about Changing Lives Scholarships or start your own, visit