News

Anderson Family gives back to Vincennes University

Paul and Nancy Anderson headshot.

December 13, 2017

VINCENNES, Ind. - The Paul E. and Nancy K. Anderson Endowed Scholarship is being created with the Vincennes University Foundation through the estate planning of the Andersons. Paul “Andy” Anderson is a native of Vincennes and a 1956 graduate of Vincennes University.

The Andersons, who reside in Venice, Florida, are establishing the scholarship because “Vincennes is so fortunate to have such a fine institution of higher education as Vincennes University in the city,” stated Paul. “My wife Nancy and I feel very strongly that in today’s society a college education gives a young person a strong start on life. We feel very fortunate to be able to provide, in a small way, the funds to help assist some students who may not have the opportunity to go to college. Thank you, Vincennes University, for continuing to provide an excellent education to students of Vincennes, Knox County, and beyond.”

The intent of the scholarship is to provide funds for a graduate of Vincennes Lincoln High School, Paul’s alma mater. The recipient must be a full-time VU freshman at the Vincennes Campus, have a cumulative high school 2.5 GPA, and must maintain the same GPA while at VU.

“The Foundation is appreciative of Paul and Nancy’s decision to pass forward educational opportunities to Vincennes University students through their estate planning,” stated Bumper Hostetler, president of the VU Foundation. “It is always heartwarming to work with alumni and friends who are so passionate about their experiences growing up in Knox County, attending VU, and then having a fulfilling and successful life. Hearing Paul reminisce about his many childhood friends and schoolmates, and then learning about his early career as an educator and his latter roles in higher education, makes one truly understand the meaning of a life well-spent.”

ABOUT THE ANDERSONS

After graduating from VU in 1956, Paul went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from Indiana State University in 1965 with a master’s degree in education. He served for nine years as a high school teacher, principal, basketball and baseball coach at Northeast School Corporation in Sullivan County, Indiana. The Andersons moved to Chicago in 1969 when Paul became assistant executive vice president of the American Fund for Dental Health for the American Dental Association. In 1982 Nancy and Paul moved to Dallas, Texas, where he became the assistant dean for Development, Alumni, and Public Relations at Baylor College of Dentistry until 1994. Since then Paul been the assistant dean emeritus at Baylor College of Dentistry, now known as Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Health Science Center.

Nancy (Smith) Anderson grew up on a farm near Farmersburg, Indiana, and graduated from North Central High School. She worked as a secretary and administrative assistant at Sun-Ray DX Oil Company in Terre Haute before being employed by Pfizer Inc. She transferred to Pfizer Chicago in 1969, where she was the administrative assistant to the regional manager. Nancy took early retirement in 1977 when Paul was transferred to Lexington, Ky. At that time, she operated a successful Hallmark store that they purchased.

ABOUT THE VU FOUNDATION

In advancing the University’s missions of higher education and community service, the VU Foundation, through the generosity of its donors, administers endorsements and contributions established by corporate and individual gifts as designated. During the 2017-18 school year, the Foundation will award in excess of $1.6 million dollars in scholarships. More information is available at www.vinu.edu/foundation.

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