Our Story

Bridging the Gap

Growing up in Iran, Dr. Ahmad Rezvan was just fourteen when his father passed away suddenly. As the eldest son in a traditional Persian family, Ahmad was expected to take on the role of 'head of household’, leaving school to work full-time and support his mother and younger siblings. Despite these responsibilities, Ahmad secretly continued his education, understanding even as a young teen the profound importance of learning. He attended classes during the day, worked late into the night, and completed his homework by lantern-light to avoid discovery.

Ahmad's determination paid off when he graduated high school. Driven by a dream to study medicine, he spent an additional year preparing for the National University Entrance Examination. To afford exam-prep classes, he sold his cherished violin and studied in secret. Ahmad formed a study group with other working students, meeting at night in the park and receiving support from local shopkeepers who provided leftover food.

Against all odds, Ahmad excelled on the exam and was admitted to the University of Tehran Medical School, the nation's most prestigious institution. His unexpected success stunned his family and community, earning him recognition as a local hero. One of Ahmad’s uncles, impressed by his perseverance, provided a loan to support the family while Ahmad pursued his studies. Ahmad repaid the loan years later but never forgot the generosity that helped him achieve his dream.

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A Lifelong Passion For Education

At the University of Tehran, Dr. Ahmad Rezvan immersed himself in studying diseases and their effects. After earning his medical degree, he opened his own laboratory and became one of Iran’s most respected pathologists. He married, had three children, and later moved to Turkey before immigrating to the United States, where the family settled in Columbus, Ohio.

Education remained Dr. Rezvan’s lifelong passion. He was immensely proud of his children’s academic and professional achievements, viewing it as the fulfillment of his lifelong dream. His unwavering commitment to education and helping others continued throughout his life. In 2012, as he and his wife prepared to return to Iran, he remarked, “Our job is done,” feeling deeply fulfilled by the impact he had made. He passed away unexpectedly a few weeks later, his words now seeming almost prophetic.

A Legacy Of Love And Learning

The loss of their father deeply affected Ahmad’s three children. Dr. Ehsan Rezvan, his middle son, sought to honor his father's legacy by establishing a scholarship foundation in the family’s name, as education had been everything to his father.

Today, the Rezvan Foundation for Excellence provides college scholarships to exceptionally talented and dedicated students who lack the financial resources to continue their education. Dr. Rezvan's goal is to support young people facing challenges similar to those his father once did, helping them achieve their educational and life goals.