Woman’s Wesleyan Educational Council
Legacy
Few entities connected with Nebraska Wesleyan share as much history and tradition as the Woman’s Wesleyan Educational Council of Nebraska (WWEC). Founded with 21 charter members in April 1896 at the call of Chancellor Isaac Crook, WWEC has been an ardent advocate for Nebraska Wesleyan University ever since. In the depths of the Great Depression, WWEC's primary mission evolved to its current focus: building an endowed fund to support deserving students at NWU through scholarships.
A Brief History of WWEC, compiled by Council Past President Rosemary Rhodes '54, outlines the dynamic tradition of this group--its lofty goals, steadfast commitment and outsize results through the decades. To commemorate WWEC’s 130th anniversary year in 2026-27, historical information and artifacts are on display on the second floor of Cochrane-Woods Library from October through the remainder of the fall semester.
WWEC’s logo features an acorn and the Latin phrase “Spectans ad futurum.” The acorn is a probable nod to the beautiful bur oaks planted decades ago on the Nebraska Wesleyan campus, and is symbolic of growth and strength. Translated, “Spectans ad futurum” means “Looking to the future.” The Council’s founders understood the importance of their work to help sustain NWU for future generations, and WWEC continues to embrace their forward-looking focus yet today.
Endowment/Scholarship Fund
Earnings from WWEC’s endowed fund provide annual student scholarships given in WWEC’s name at Nebraska Wesleyan. NWU’s Scholarships and Financial Aid Office processed $21,700 of scholarship awards for 2026-27 through WWEC, helping 48 students from Nebraska and five other states. The level of annual support generated through WWEC’s endowed fund is a testament to the many, many devoted friends and alumnae of NWU who have helped it grow since the scholarship program was established at the Council’s 40th anniversary celebration in 1936.
Additional donations are always welcome. Please make gifts to WWEC’s endowed scholarship fund payable to Nebraska Wesleyan University. On the memo line, write: WWEC Endowment Fund, and mail or deliver to NWU Alumni/Advancement Office, 5000 St. Paul Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. The Alumni/Advancement Office will provide a donation receipt for tax purposes.
WWEC in Lincoln
WWEC meets in Lincoln on the second Wednesday of the month, September through May, for a noon luncheon and educational program, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5200 Francis Street. There is one exception; each April, WWEC’s annual meeting moves to Nebraska Wesleyan for “Woman’s Day on Campus.”
Monthly programming is an important element of WWEC’s time together. The programs committee does an excellent job to plan presentations by prominent local alumni and members of Nebraska Wesleyan’s faculty, staff and administration. They provide current campus information and education on topics in their area of expertise, and often share the personal journey that brought them to NWU and helped shape them as a person and a professional.
For information anytime on WWEC, its activities and its philanthropic mission, please contact president P.J. Rabel, p.j.rabel [at] gmail.com (p[dot]j[dot]rabel[at]gmail[dot]com).
Membership
More than 60 women currently belong to WWEC. They include many Nebraska Wesleyan alumnae, emerita professors, retired staff members, mothers and grandmothers of NWU alumni and current students, and others with their own unique connections to NWU. They are a friendly, engaging and interesting group of philanthropic women who share a very special affinity for Nebraska Wesleyan and its students.
WWEC wants to continue to grow its membership and strengthen its collective impact. All women who are friends of NWU are welcome. (You do not need to be an NWU alumna or retired faculty/staff member.) There are two membership categories. Active Members pay annual dues ($25) and have voting rights. Members at Large are non-voting members who choose to support WWEC through annual donations (any amount) to the scholarship endowment. Please address membership questions to nancywehrbein [at] gmail.com (nancywehrbein[at]gmail[dot]com) or send a check for dues (payable to WWEC) or an at-large donation to Nancy Wehrbein, Treasurer, 5118 S. 53rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68516.
For additional information on programs at NWU with an emphasis on alumni engagement, contact alumni [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (alumni[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu) or call (402) 465-2124.