Phillip and Mary Lou Herbert, life-long residents of Ashtabula, made a significant bequest to Â鶹ÊÓƵ at Ashtabula, to create the Phillip C. and Mary Lou Herbert Scholarship.
"Phil and Mary Lou lived a simple, quiet life, but valued education highly," says Stuart Cordell, the Herbert's estate planner and long-time friend "It was education that enabled Phil to land a job in Ashtabula as a chemist after his tour in the Marines was over, and also gave Mary Lou the skills that allowed her to work for many years at The Illuminating Company. They had no children, and from the day I first met them, they made it clear they wanted to create a scholarship program at Â鶹ÊÓƵ at Ashtabula for the benefit of local students. They would have been delighted to see how many students their scholarship gift has been able to help, and will continue to help into the future."
The Herbert's scholarship benefits county residents who pursue degrees in physical and respiratory therapy, radiologic technology and nursing programs, as well as those studying chemistry or biology.
The Phillip C. and Mary Lou Herbert Scholarship was awarded to nine students at the annual awards banquet in October 2018, held at the Spire Institute in Geneva. In all, 87 students were recognized at the event, as well as many of the donors who made the scholarships possible.
Student Ashleigh Parsons was able to stay in the nursing program and graduate thanks to the Herberts.
"Having been chosen for the Herbert Scholarship this year has allowed me to continue my education without the stress of increasing my work schedule, and has allowed for more time spent on studies," Ashley said. "Without this generous scholarship, I would have lost my seat in the KSUA nursing program. I'm grateful for the opportunity to further my education and become a Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate in December."
Another student who received the scholarship, Liberty Rider, expressed how much it meant to her and her family.
"The Herbert Scholarship meant a lot to me because it helped me save some money for school," Liberty said. "The extra money went toward my kids, to make sure they had everything they needed at that time."
If you'd like to make a difference in the lives of students like these with a provision in your estate plan, call us at 330-672-1000 or email us at giftplan@kent.edu to learn how.
(Photo caption: Recipients of the Phillip C. and Mary Lou Herbert Scholarship, from left to right: Breeanna Herman, Teresa Watson (guest of Stuart Cordell, back), Chad Rossman (back), Ashleigh Parsons, estate planner Stuart Cordell, Liberty Rider, Mara Davis (back), Dorothy Enterline, Nicholas Jarvis (back) and Angel Randall. Not pictured: Nathan Burgett.)