How compassion, not just free tuition, helped one Ohio student achieve his college dreams

Toledo, Ohio — A little over four years ago, seniors at Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio, walked into their school gym for an assembly, and then received the surprise of a lifetime.

"If you're sitting here in this room today, tuition, room and board, books and fees will be paid for you, and you will go to college for free," philanthropist and businessman Pete Kadens told them back in February 2020.

Kadens had started a nonprofit, called HOPE Toledo, for students like Chris Rowland.