A new institutional scholarship at Hesston College will benefit students with disabilities and special challenges, enabling and encouraging them to participate fully in academic and student life.

The Paul E. and Vesta L. Gingerich Scholarship Fund has been added to the college’s more than 100 endowed scholarships as a tribute to the experience that the Gingeriches and their four children – all Hesston graduates – received and enjoyed. The scholarship was set with a special focus on students with disabilities as two of the Gingerich children were born with a gene that caused dwarfism. Despite the extra challenges with which they were faced, both flourished socially and academically.

Paul and Vesta passed away in 2014 and 2016 respectively, and the fund was established through their estate.

The family noted that the scholarship is not limited just to tuition needs, but may also be distributed to help with other costs, such as tutoring, classroom assistance and technology support.

Anyone interested in giving to The Paul E. and Vesta L. Gingerich Scholarship Fund can contribute online and note the gift’s intention in the memo field.