The gift of an education

By Susy Miller (’90)

“The car proceeded onward through a lane of sunflowers, leaving a man and a small country girl looking at the first building of the Nebraska Wesleyan University [...] I can remember only the red brick building, with its green sentinels topped with yellow and brown, and the western sun in the bright blue sky. We sat down on the steps and my father told me he had put a little money into the school. I think it was either twenty-five, or maybe fifty dollars, and I know that either amount represented a real sacrifice to a farm family in 1890. He said to me, ‘It isn’t much, but I wanted to give it. I shall never get the benefit of this school. Maybe your children, Ruth, will come here.’”

Fifteen of his grandchildren ended up attending Nebraska Wesleyan, including four of Ruth’s children, as well as her grandson and a great-grandson. One of her sons even sat on the NWU Board of Governors.

This beautiful passage was written by Ruth Bryson Bassett for a 1958 edition of NWU’s alumni magazine. When I read it I’m reminded of how sacred a quality education can be. Ruth’s father understood this, and his generosity toward future generations lives on within Nebraska Wesleyan’s hallowed walls.

My husband and I met while attending NWU, and our son, Drew, is currently a business major in his senior year here. I have acquired so many fond memories of Nebraska Wesleyan throughout the years, but seeing Drew come into his own and discover his passions has been the most rewarding experience yet.

When you become a parent, you start to ask yourself how you can best impact the next generation. For me, the answer always comes back to Nebraska Wesleyan. It’s only natural to support the university that has given me the opportunities I’ve had and now gives my children those same opportunities.

And I can only hope, as Ruth’s father did, that my children’s children will come here as well.

That is why I have been giving to Nebraska Wesleyan’s Archway Fund for 19 years. Gifts to the Archway Fund directly heighten the university’s potential and impact NWU students, both today and tomorrow. As parents, I can’t help but feel that it’s our responsibility to give back and pave the way for future generations. I can think of no gift as powerful and enduring as a Nebraska Wesleyan education.