"“A Friendship Mission” tells the improbable, coincidental, and utterly true story of an alum who went missing for 13 years and the friends who found him. We pursued the story due to the strength of its narrative—the story is heartbreaking and harrowing, but also hopeful. It tells a story of friendship that is remarkable, but which reminds alumni of the power of their own friendships begun at Stanford.
The story’s impact stands out beyond any of our other stories in recent years: more than 20,000 web views; well over a dozen letters to the editor; and a film rights inquiry. It led the protagonist, Kevin Bennett, to receive an invitation from the Stanford poetry journal Mantis to publish a dozen of his poems in their own special section in its 20th edition, and to fly him to campus in March 2022 for a reading of them. It helped inspire Kevin to produce and publish his first book of poetry. It prompted a Stanford graduate and lawyer, who led the charge to reverse the mandatory garnishment of disabled veteran benefits for payment of federal student loans, to use Kevin’s story as the linchpin in his case before Congress to do the same for disabled citizens. And less than a month after the story’s publication, readers had already donated more than $22,000 to support Kevin’s rent payments and help him get back on his feet."
From the Judges
Heartwarming and engaging story with great candid details.
