Opening Bucknell's Doors for Home Depot Families

As a student at Bucknell, Ken Langone '57, P'83 benefited from a simple act of generosity — a $300 loan that allowed him to finish his education. From that pivotal moment, Langone went on to eventually become a co-founder of home improvement giant The Home Depot, and has used his success to champion the importance of supporting today's students who wish to build their future at Bucknell.

Through a new commitment to Home Depot associates and Bucknell, Langone and his wife, Elaine P'83, have strengthened their effort by establishing the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship. Their visionary $25 million endowment will enable up to four students who are the children or grandchildren of Home Depot associates to attend Bucknell each year. The scholarships cover the full current cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board.

"We are grateful for the generous support of alumni whose success is rooted in their Bucknell experience," says Bucknell President John Bravman. "Ken and Elaine have demonstrated their devotion to the University in many ways, and our new scholarship for the children of Home Depot associates will allow more students to follow in Ken's footsteps. The Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship will have a profound impact on Bucknellians now and for generations to come."

Ken Langone '57, P'83 and Elaine Langone P'83 have established the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship through a $25 million endowment. The scholarship will support the dependents or grandchildren of Home Depot associates, covering the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees and room and board. Photo by Gordon R. Wenzel

The Langones have a long history of investing in Bucknell. Their philanthropy includes support for the Kenneth G. Langone Athletics & Recreation Center, Sojka Pavilion and the Elaine Langone Center, as well as the Kenneth G. Langone Scholarship and Langone Walling Scholarships. Combined, these scholarships have supported the education of 845 students since the endowments were established in 1995 and 2014, respectively. The Langones were the inaugural recipients of the William Bucknell Philanthropic Award in 2019, which honors donors whose life-long generosity has made a profound and transformative impact on the Bucknell campus and in the lives of Bucknell students.

With this latest investment, the Langones have once again bolstered the University's most timely priority: ensuring exceptional students can say "yes" to Bucknell. 
"We're incredibly thankful to the Langone family for this generous support. By removing financial barriers, this scholarship opens the door for outstanding Home Depot–affiliated students to see Bucknell as a real possibility," says Kevin Mathes '07, vice president for enrollment management & dean of admissions, "This scholarship will help us build an even stronger student community."

The Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship reflects both the Langones' enduring dedication to Bucknell and their longstanding belief in the power of hard work. Open to the children or grandchildren of Home Depot associates, the award recognizes promise, dedication and the shared values that unite Bucknell and the Home Depot communities.

The first recipient of the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship joined Bucknell with the Class of 2029. Beyond removing the financial burden of higher education, the award affirmed the student's personal and professional aspirations. "This scholarship is a meaningful recognition of my academic achievement, and it has given me the freedom to fully invest my focus in my education and experience on campus," they said. "I am grateful to the donors who paved a path for my future."

Bucknell University's highest priority is expanding access to a transformative education through robust scholarship offerings. As the University celebrates the inaugural year of the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship, it recognizes the profound significance of the Langones' commitment. Their gift expands access to a Bucknell education for families connected to The Home Depot and exemplifies the power of philanthropy to change lives.