Nelson Ray Geigley Scholarship for Communication Majors

“Enthusiastic involvement” characterizes Nelson Ray Geigley’s life as a Goshen College communication student and staff member, 1979—84. He exhibited an intense desire to learn and participate in a variety of communication activities, which gained him the respect and love of both his professors and peers.

Unexpectedly, Nelson died on May 1, 1984, in Goshen, Indiana, at the age of 23 as the result of a heart attack while playing soccer. Although he had been living an active life, an autopsy revealed that he suffered from a degenerative heart disease, coronary atherosclerosis.

While Nelson’s premature death shocked the Goshen College community, his family has felt the loss most deeply. He was born August 25, 1960, as the first child of Ray and Dorothy Shue Geigley, who survive. Also surviving are three sisters, Karen, Sharon, and Carolyn. He was a member of the Frazer Mennonite Church, Frazer, Pa., where funeral services were held May 6, 1984.

Many classmates remember Nelson because of his excellent theater work in three major productions and four one—act plays. One professor commented that Nelson, in his acting, “had the ability to create a distinct character and to embody the content of a play, making it understandable to the audience.” He also enjoyed the technical aspects of the theater.

A second area of interest for Nelson was radio and television broadcasting. As a student, he developed announcing skills at WGCS, the college-owned FM radio station. During his junior and senior years, from the fall of 1981 through the fall of 1982, he served as station manager, the highest—ranking student position at WGCS. He also worked as a production assistant for WNIT—TV, the public television station serving the area, both as a student volunteer and staff member.

Nelson graduated from Goshen College in 1983 with a B.A. degree in communication. In January of 1984 he joined the Goshen College staff as the Umble Center technical assistant. During his last months, he continued to grow in his work and relationships. At the time of his death, he was especially anticipating Video—Corn ‘84, a consultation on video and the church, which he had helped to plan.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Nelson is remembered primarily for his relational attributes. His infectious enthusiasm for living, his humor, and his creativity permeated his relationships and work. One friend recalled, “He was always able to laugh, even in absurd situations. He always picked up on Ideas and made them work. Another classmate commented, “Nelson enjoyed life and people. He didn’t have his defenses up like many do. He just got people excited about living and growing. That’s probably what he’d want to be remembered for the most.”