The Ora and Mary Troyer Scholarship for International Students

Ora and Mary Troyer both hail from farm backgrounds from the Goshen area They went to different churches and different high schools, but their paths crossed on occasion. They were married in May 1955.

Before he was married, Ora chose the alternate service path to military service and worked as a psychiatric aid at Beatty Hospital in Indiana.

Following his service, Ora enrolled at Goshen College at age 23. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in elementary education and taught fifth grade the next year.

In 1961, there was an opening at Troyer Poultry for a resident manager. The business had been started years before by Ora’s two brothers, and Ora had helped with the business on occasion. One of the brothers had left the business to farm, and there was both room and a need for Ora’s talents. It seemed to be a good time to change careers. So in 1961, Ora joined the family business.

From the start, Mary did the company’s books at home. This, plus the rearing of three children kept her hours and hands full.

When Ora joined Troyer Poultry in 1961, the business had two dozen employees.  Today, the firm employs over 150 people and is still growing. The firm serves all of the Michiana area and beyond, delivering all kinds of meat to various retail sources.  Ora and Mary are both now retired from Troyer Poultry.

Ora and Mary find enjoyment in family, plays, concerts and foreign travel.  They are very active in their church (Berkey Avenue Fellowship) and have been long time supporters of Goshen College.

The Troyers are frequent visitors to the campus, taking advantage of the concerts and plays offered in the course of a year. They’ve also gotten to know some of the GC students that have attended Berkey Avenue over the years.

Ora and Mary were interested in sharing their resources and they became aware of some of the special needs of GC’s international students. After thought and prayer they agreed that a scholarship designated for international students would be an excellent and personal way to help students from other countries. “We believe this is one small way to work at peace in the world,” Ora explained.

The Troyer Scholarship is evidence that people can make a difference in our world. It gives both international and American students the opportunity to get to know one another and see how other people live. That’s a significant first step toward world peace.