I was introduced to Wheaton College through my work with Christian Life Magazine. CL’s editor, Robert Walker, was a Wheaton grad, so he often asked Wheaton College professors to write articles or to author monthly columns for the magazine. I was assigned to work with all of our columnists. Dr. Edman authored “Personal Problems” for a number of years. We also brought Dr. Paul Bechtel on staff to do our book reviews, and soon corralled his wife, Mary, to review children’s books. Mel Lorentzen often handled the “devotionals for authors” which began our writers’ conferences.
I am now a happy resident of the retirement community known as Windsor Park Manor. My contacts with Wheaton College have been even more meaningful since moving here. My husband Ralph became ill on the day of our move and had to be rushed to the hospital. Bob Walker, my former employer, and his wife took him to the hospital while the movers took me here. I had not previously met Dr. Paul Parker, former Wheaton College doctor, nor his wife, Pauline – but they, with the Walkers, took me under their wings. The Parkers then introduced me to “Suburbia,” a Readers Club (for want of a better designation) which also included Mary Bechtel, Art and Coral Rupprecht, Shirley and Ray Brand, and other Wheaton College professors and graduates. Not one of them made me feel like an outsider.
Somewhere along the line, someone told me about the Wheaton Associates. By that time I had such close ties with Wheaton College, I had to almost pinch myself as a reminder that I was not a graduate! So I joined the group. Then I checked into what else I could do for “my” College. The endowed scholarship seemed the natural way to go.
I have a strong, deep-rooted interest in education and am convinced that Wheaton is encouraging young people to pursue excellence and honor Christ as they do so.