Eric Himelright M’98 with grandfather John Kissinger
“No one in our family had ever attended college, but my mother and grandfather did everything they could to make sure we had the opportunity.”
In Their Shoes What motivates a donor to underwrite a scholarship at LVC? There are many reasons. Many donors faced uphill financial battles of their own when they were college students, and they want to help others caught in the same bind. Eric Himelright M’98 credits his grandfather, John Kissinger, with teaching him the value of a dollar—and of an education. That’s why Himelright created The John Kissinger Scholarship in Business for students who need financial help to make college a reality. “I have two brothers, and I was raised by a single mother,” said Himelright. “No one in our family had ever attended college, but my mother and grandfather did everything they could to make sure we had the opportunity.” Himelright said that he depended on scholarships when he was at Penn State as an undergraduate, and later at LVC for his graduate degree—and he always said that if and when he was in the position to give back, he would. “My grandfather and mother sacrificed a lot,” Himelright remembered. “He gave what little he had to help others.”
Kissinger, a retired veteran, still lives in Lebanon. He was touched when he found out that his grandson had created a scholarship in his name. “We had [LVC] President MacDonald write to him, announcing that the scholarship had been established in his honor,” Himelright said. “He has the letter hanging on his wall.” Himelright learned early that family is what really matters in life. “My grandfather once told me, ‘We were born a poor family, but as far as families go, we are the richest family in the world.’” Remembering how he and his brothers received help when they were students, Himelright said that he always tells people, “If you have the ability, try and give back.” Kenneth Donmoyer ’54 remembered struggling to attend college more than 50 years ago. “I had to hitchhike to LVC every day,” he said. “I came from a poor family. I felt that if ever I was in a position to help other students who needed it, I would do it.” Today, The Mark, Frances, and Kenneth Donmoyer Music Scholarship—named for Donmoyer and his late parents—helps talented music students get that much closer to their dreams.
fall 2011
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