The rippling effect of generosity: Amy and Simon Sapsford

RICHMOND — It was once a running joke on campus that freshman orientation activities at Eastern Kentucky University could be led by the Baumann family. After all, it’s where six siblings, all first-generation college students – Mary Jo, Amy, Susie, Mark, Julie and Patty – earned their college degrees.

As an incoming freshman, Amy Baumann Sapsford was unaware of the plethora of scholarships to help deserving Eastern students. That soon changed, and she applied for every scholarship for which she was eligible. The Myrtle Mitchell Scholarship covered her tuition costs for three years, “which made a huge difference for me and my family.”

Amy went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, graduating with high distinction in 1981, and begin a long and distinguished career in the emerging field of neonatal nutrition, including 31 years with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she worked with colleagues to launch a lactation program and further develop nutrition expertise in the NICU. She was also a co-writer of the first NICU nutrition book to apply newly available science and continues, even in retirement, to serve the profession.

But she never forgot her Eastern roots, which now also encompass one daughter, three nieces and two brothers-in-law, and what made her success as a student and her evolution into a nationally-respected professional possible.

“As I was considering retirement, I thought about how I may be able to help an EKU dietetics student now versus when my husband (former high school sweetheart Simon Sapsford) and I get older,” she explained. In 2022, the Sapsfords established the Amy Baumann Sapsford Dietetics Endowed Scholarship to assist students intending to become registered dietitian nutritionists.

Through all their philanthropic endeavors, Amy said she and her husband have learned that “when a donation is made, there may be a ripple effect which could have an impact on others who may not have ever thought of giving or supporting an organization in some way. Just look at how Myrtle Mitchell made an impact on me! Her gift many years ago helped influence our decision to support a student in dietetics. I have so many fond memories of EKU and know that I will have so many more, especially by connecting personally with the recipients of our scholarship.”