former ISU vice president and his wife make $150,000 gift for Bridge the Gap scholarships

“Paul and Nancy Edgerton have dedicated much of their careers to leaving an indelible mark on the lives of our students,” ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. “This gift will help countless Sycamores earn a degree. We are incredibly grateful to Paul and Nancy.”

The scholarship was inspired by the Edgertons’ own experiences.

“When I was a senior in high school, my family had limited means and could not contribute significantly to my continuing education,” Paul Edgerton said. “I also saw a lot of students who had difficulty meeting the financial obligations to continue their enrollment. My wife and I thought that this would be a way to help students graduate from the university.”

Dr. Nancy Edgerton worked at Hamilton Center in Terre Haute for many years, helping advocate for families in need as Director of Child and Adolescent Services.

“I have worked many years in the mental health field with families who lacked resources, and I know that the discouragement of not having enough to get through a semester makes it very easy to drop out,” she said. “I want very much to encourage people to finish, and this [scholarship] perhaps provides a way for that to happen. I hope to help students be successful. I hope the gift will help students reach their dreams and have new dreams.”