Scholarships
The Foundation currently has three Scholarships in place:
- The “Lillian Little Soldier Klaudt” Scholarship presented in 2004 to Lee University’s Music Department that runs through 2013
- The “Eva Mae LeFevre” Scholarship presented in 2005 to Lee University’s Music Department that runs through 2014
- The “R. H. Klaudt” Scholarship presented to New Orleans Theological Seminary in 2006 that runs through 2015
Mom and Dad Klaudt launched their ministry in and around Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Northwest North Dakota using, not only the spoken word, but also the message of salvation through gospel music. Their initial message was conducted in various homes, tents, open-air events and on street corners. They quickly realized that people, who would not listen to a sermon would almost always stop to hear a gospel song. From this humble beginning, the ministry of The Klaudt Indian Family began.
In the late 1920's, Rev. F. J. Lee, for whom Lee University is named, came to the Dakotas to ordain some evangelists into the ministry. Dad Klaudt was one of these evangelists along with D.C. Boatwright and Paul H. Walker.
Why did the Foundation choose a scholarship to
assist in the training of gospel singers?
Mom and Dad Klaudt realized that music was one of the most receptive methods of spreading the Gospel, and it also met the needs of believers as well.
Why did the Foundation choose a Native American Indian
as its top priority to receive this initial scholarship?
First to honor the Klaudt Family's heritage and secondly to increase the number of Native American gospel musicians and singers involved in this type of ministry.
Why did the Foundation choose Lee University
as the recipient of this first scholarship?
Mom and Dad Klaudt attended Lee in the late 1920's and early 1930's when it was called BTS and was located in Sevierville, Tennessee. Vernon attended BTS in the early 1940's and sang in the school's quartet. Following that, in the late 1940's, Vernon, Ramona, and Melvin attended Lee College. This is when it was moved to Cleveland, Tennessee and was renamed after Rev. F. J. Lee, the same Rev. Lee that ordained Dad Klaudt in the 1920's. Then in the early 1950's the entire Klaudt Family attended Lee to further their education. Ray returned to Lee to further his education in the 1960's along with the younger brother, Kenneth. So, as you can see, for five decades Lee College and University has played an important role in the lives of the Klaudt Indian Family.
Another reason the Foundation chose the Music Department of Lee University to receive this initial scholarship is the vast number of top gospel musicians and singers that have spanned, not only the Unites States, but also the world in sending the message of Christ through song and music. The Foundation's vision is to honor Mom and Dad Klaudt with a perpetual vehicle to train more gospel singers and musicians and ministers to carry this same salvation message through song and word that so penetrated their lives.
Testimonies of Scholarship Recipients
