About Kitchen 8

Elizabeth Miller Watkins, through generosity, creativity, and foresight, created Watkins and Miller Scholarship Halls at the University of Kansas with the "dream to aid self-supporting girls to get an education." As all Miller and Watkins residents know, each hall has 7 small kitchens. Although the use of the 7 kitchens has evolved over time, they still remain an integral part of life and camaraderie within the halls. Our organization serves as a link between the past and present women of Miller and Watkins as a metaphoric "Kitchen 8."

Our Mission

Kitchen 8 is an organization of Watkins and Miller Scholarship Hall alumnae and residents, EMW Memorial Scholars, and other supporters of Elizabeth Miller Watkins' dream "to help the girls who must travel uphill." Kitchen 8 is dedicated to preserving and carrying forward the legacy of Mrs. Watkins, who created Watkins and Miller Scholarship Halls at the University of Kansas to help exceptional but financially needy women to get an education. K-8 provides a community of support to Watkins and Miller residents and alumnae and Elizabeth Miller Watkins Memorial Scholarship Fund (EMWMSF) recipients by maintaining communication, providing mentorship, awarding scholarships, staying informed of the conditions at and preserving Watkins/Miller as scholarship halls for women who have exceptional achievement and financial need, and striving to follow Mrs. Watkins' example of generosity and compassion.