The Wilbur and Lorraine Wyse Scholarship

“Generous” is the appropriate description of Wilbur and Lorraine Liechty Wyse.  Over many years they have repeatedly demonstrated this quality through their support of their community, church and college.  Now, the Wyse Scholarship for students from Central Mennonite Church attending Goshen College and in certain cases other deserving students, gives even further evidence of the couple’s generosity–and faith and commitment.

The Wyses operated the Bil-Jax Corporation in Archbold, Ohio.  The firm manufactured metal scaffolding, distributing the product nationwide.  While Bil-Jax enjoyed success throughout its history, The Wyses were quick to credit God for their company’s achievements and added, “It is incumbent upon us to be responsible in our management of the financial resources entrusted to us.”

As part of this management, the couple has been generous in their financial support of Goshen College, where Lorraine and their four children and two grandsons attended.  They have been Associates of the college since 1966; were instrumental in the funding of the Kulp Hall renovation project; which included a designated area called “The Quiet Place” for personal prayer and meditation.  Now they have established this special scholarship fund primarily for students from their home congregation.

“We care deeply about the young people of Central Mennonite, and believe it does make a difference where they attend college,” the Wyses said while explaining the scholarship.  “A student’s values need to be strengthened and matured at college.  We believe that Goshen is making an honest attempt to compliment what is being taught in our homes and our congregation.  We establish this endowment so that Central’s youth may attend Goshen as compared to the less-expensive state schools.”

The Wyse Scholarship stipulates that all students from Central and the Church of the Good Shepard from Archbold, Ohio, who choose to attend Goshen College are eligible to receive a grant for each year of their study.  While many Mennonite congregations have developed similar programs of assistance for their youth, the Wyse fund represents the first time an individual couple has supported an entire program themselves.

President J. Lawrence Burkholder commented that “the Wyses’ gift is a symbol of their belief in and care for the youth of Central Mennonite Church.  Those of us here at Goshen College commit ourselves to the Central congregation in making this a good experience of working together.”  The Wilbur and Lorraine Wyse Scholarship is also a symbol of a special kind of generosity from which many–both individuals and churches–will benefit in the years to come.

Wilbur tragically died as a result of an automobile accident on September 24, 1987.