Woman’s Wesleyan Educational Council

History

Few entities connected with Nebraska Wesleyan share as much philanthropic 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, its mission throughout the state of Nebraska has always been to promote the advancement of Nebraska Wesleyan University. Much of the organization’s emphasis has been devoted to building an endowment that provides scholarships for NWU students.

Several local WWEC chapters in Lincoln and Omaha merged in 2023, forming the Lincoln Chapter. Membership also includes Members at Large and staff representatives from Nebraska Wesleyan.

Endowment/Scholarship Fund

The market value of WWEC’s endowed scholarship fund on May 31, 2024, was $477,789. Recent endowment growth includes $11,615 in gifts that have fully funded a newly created Lincoln Chapter Scholarship. Earnings from WWEC’s endowment provide annual student scholarships given in WWEC’s name at Nebraska Wesleyan. NWU’s Scholarships and Financial Aid Office processed $19,500 of scholarship awards for 2024-25 through WWEC, helping 42 students from Nebraska and six other states. The level of annual support generated through WWEC’s endowed fund is a true testament to the many, many devoted friends and alumnae of NWU who have helped it grow since WWEC’s beginning more than 125 years ago.

Please make donations to the endowment/scholarship fund of WWEC payable to Nebraska Wesleyan University. On the memo line, write: WWEC Endowment Fund, and mail or deliver to NWU Advancement Office, 5000 St. Paul Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. The Advancement Office will provide a donation receipt for tax purposes.

Lincoln Chapter

The Lincoln Chapter of WWEC meets monthly for a noon luncheon and educational program September through May, on the second Wednesday. The chapter meets at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5200 Francis Street in Lincoln, with one exception. Every April the meeting location moves to Nebraska Wesleyan for “Women’s Day on Campus.”

Monthly programming is a significant element of the chapter’s meetings. The programs committee does an excellent job of inviting prominent local alumni and members of Nebraska Wesleyan’s faculty, staff and administration for engaging presentations. 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 the Lincoln Chapter and its philanthropic mission, please contact chapter president P.J. Rabel, p.j.rabel@gmail.com.

Membership

Nearly 50 women currently belong to Lincoln Chapter. 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.

Lincoln Chapter wants to continue to grow its membership and strengthen its collective impact. New members are always welcome. Membership dues for Lincoln Chapter are $25 annually. Please send membership questions to nancywehrbein@gmail.com or send a check, payable to WWEC, to Nancy Wehrbein, Treasurer, 5118 S. 53rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68516.

For additional information on programs with an emphasis on alumni engagement, contact alumni@nebrwesleyan.edu or call (402) 465-2123.