Stephen Mattson, a member of the L.G. Kaufman Foundation Board, speaks at the L.G. Kaufman Endowment School Fund Program on Wednesday. Many Marquette students were recognized at the event, which took place at Kaufman Auditorium. (Photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — The Kaufman name means a lot in the area from a philanthropic standpoint, and that was on display Wednesday night during the L.G. Kaufman Endowment School Fund Program when students in Marquette Area Public Schools were presented a multitude of awards.

The event took place, appropriately, at Kaufman Auditorium, named after Louis G. Kaufman, an influential banker who lived in the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

MAPS Superintendent Bill Saunders immediately spoke to the Bothwell Middle School eighth-graders in attendance.

“I hope this memorable experience leads to your continued success,” he said. “We wish you back in here in four years.”

Awards presented on Wednesday included the Marquette Senior High School Fund Awards for department, organizational and academic achievement.

Special area recognition for MSHS students went to Molly Welch for the Ellwood A. Mattson Leadership Award, Nicolaas Vermaat for the Henry J. Bothwell Science Award and Lauren Kurzawa for the Herman E. Olson Citizenship Award.

Numerous special, faculty and academic awards were presented to students at Father Marquette and Bothwell middle schools.

“The Kaufman family foundation has long recognized the merit, and awarding students for high academic achievement,” Saunders said.

He credited Louis G. Kaufman’s grandson Peter and his wife Audrey, along with the foundation, for good works that include providing funding for things such as textbooks and the Graveraet Elementary School cafeteria renovation.

“They’ve come to the aid of many MAPS students by fully funding and sponsoring our Coats for Kids program, outfitting students with winter jackets and gloves, snow pants and boots,” Saunders said.

Peter Kaufman also addressed the audience at the ceremony, giving credit for the students’ success beyond his family.

“You have to recognize what your parents did to help you along the path to where you sit tonight,” Kaufman said.

Teachers’ dedication also played a part, he said, as did schools’ staff and administrators.

“Just think for a minute — the hundreds of hours that it takes to accomplish what goes on here this evening,” Kaufman said. “It isn’t quick and easy. A lot of thought goes into it.”

Kaufman Auditorium Director Lantz Whitfield talked about Louis G. Kaufman during the ceremony, noting the foundation awards used to be gold coins.

“Most recently, the Kaufman Foundation has given $20,000 as seed money for the reconditioning of our fabulous grand piano, the Steinway grand, and it’s housed here at Kaufman Auditorium,” Whitfield said.

Stephen Mattson, a member of the L.G. Kaufman Foundation Board, said, “We take this responsibility, this historical responsibility, strictly serious, and it’s a pleasure to support the youth of Marquette.”

Mattson is the son of the late Ellwood Mattson — the namesake of Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park — who had passion for education, he said, having served on the board of control for Northern Michigan University and Finlandia University.

“He felt that education provided society with the opportunity to grow and become better than the generation before them, to help people help themselves,” Mattson said.

To his father, education also was a lifetime pursuit, not just graduating from high school or earning a four-year college degree.

“We all have the choice to be givers or takers from society,” Mattson said. “Ellwood was a giver.”

The MSHS Symphony Strings provided a musical prelude at the ceremony.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.