Brian Kavanagh was raised in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Dennis and Susan and brother to Molly and Allison. Brian went to St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools from kindergarten through high school, where he formed lifelong friendships and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Brian was funny, friendly, very curious about the world, and passionate about making an impact. Brian went to Pittsburg State University and joined ROTC. Brian served in the Army from June 11, 1997, to July 31, 1997, and from October 17, 2002, to November 1, 2012. Brian had a successful military career as an Army Ranger and was promoted to Major. He served combat deployments in 2006 and 2008.
In 2011, Brian married Jessica, and they had two daughters, Meryn and Evelyn. After his discharge from the military, Brian gradually experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury that progressed and eventually began to interfere with his ability to transition to civilian life successfully. He and his wife Jessica battled with their local Veterans Affairs facility month in and month out as Brian continued to face multiple challenges associated with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Through this long and painful struggle, Brian conceptualized a non-profit organization dedicated to linking combat veterans to the resources and services that the Department of Veterans Affairs was not providing. Before Brian could complete his mission, he died unexpectedly on June 28, 2016. After his death, his wife enlisted his friends to continue his legacy and make VetLinks.org a reality.
VetLinks.org is dedicated to providing veterans, especially post-9/11 veterans and their families, assistance by providing resources that meet their immediate needs. VetLinks.org has provided 130 veterans and families with over $250,000 in financial assistance. Additionally, VetLinks.org has connected dozens of veterans with the resources needed for their specific situations.
VetLinks.org offers a scholarship to PSU students to support Brian’s legacy further. Brian was a proud Pitt State alum and understood the importance of giving as many people as possible access to higher education. By offering this funding, the VetLinks.org Board would like to honor Brian’s insatiable curiosity and love of learning.
Amount of award(s): $4,000 (2 installments of $2,000, fall and spring semester)
Number of recipients: 1 recipient
Eligibility criteria
- Attending: Pittsburg State University
- Studying:
- Graduate-level clinical psychology
- Master of social work
- GPA (on a 4.0 scale): 3.0+
- Full-time enrollment (9+ hours graduate)
Former recipients may reapply.