The Murrays established the scholarship as a way to help students benefit from an education at Hesston College, especially those from the Milford area. Though neither Uriah nor Edna attended Hesston College, the scholarship was named in their honor to create a connection with the Milford community. Marilyn (Stauffer) Murray grew up in Milford and attended Hesston College for one semester in 1957. Her younger brother C. David Stauffer attended Hesston College for two years.
“We appreciate the community that Hesston College builds, and we have enjoyed getting to know students through college activities every year,” said Marilyn. “This scholarship provides an opportunity to reconnect with families from my home community.”
“We want to have an influence beyond ourselves,” added John. “Hesston College offers such a unique experience that many students miss out on because they think public education is cheaper, which isn’t always the case.”
After retiring from farming, Uriah Stauffer attended a business school in Lincoln and began a career in banking. Eventually he and Edna worked together at the Home State Bank in Beaver Crossing, from which they both retired. Uriah and Edna were also members of East Fairview Mennonite Church.
Recipients of the scholarship will be chosen each year according to the following guidelines:
- Priority will be given to descendants of Uriah and Edna Stauffer.
- If there are no descendants attending Hesston College, the scholarship will be awarded to students from the Mennonite churches in Milford: Bellwood, Beth-El, Milford, East Fairview and West Fairview.
- If the above criteria are not met, consideration will be given to students studying business or finance.
- If no other guidelines are met, the recipient will be selected from students who are considered high financial need or students who might not attend Hesston College without this scholarship.
The college hopes to award the scholarship’s first recipient for the 2011-12 year. The annual amount of the scholarship is still currently undetermined. Supplemental funds from others are expected to help build the fund, and contributions from interested persons are welcomed.
Other descendants of Uriah and Edna who have attended Hesston College are grandson John C. Murray and his wife Krista (Miller) Murray, great-grandson John N. Murray and great-grandson Joel Murray who will be a freshman at Hesston this fall.
To contribute to this scholarship fund or donate to Hesston College, contact vice president of Advancement Yvonne Sieber at 800-995-2757.
Located 30 miles North of Wichita, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA. A student’s financial aid award at Hesston College includes institutional and government scholarships, grants and loans. The average financial aid package for the upcoming 2010-11 year totals more than $17,000, about 62 percent of total costs.