MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—An Upper Sandusky woman is honoring her parents’ legacies by establishing a new scholarship fund at Marion Technical College, aiming to support second-year business students from Marion or Wyandot counties.
Cheryl J. Culver, a staunch advocate for education, created the scholarship in memory of her parents, Dale and B. Joann Smith Culver.
“I push for education,” Culver said. “I’m a big believer in learning.”
Culver grew up on her parents’ farm south of Upper Sandusky, near Morral, just north of the Marion-Wyandot County line. She credits the farm and her parents for instilling a strong work ethic.
She has fond memories of visiting her grandfather’s barbershop across from St. Mary Church on Main Street in Marion, and exploring downtown. “I remember visiting the Isaly Shoppes and catching a movie at the Palace theater for 50 cents,” Culver recalled. “Marion was really hopping.”
After graduating from Upper Sandusky High School in 1965, her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education, understanding it would open doors not available on the farm. Culver initially took night classes from The Ohio State University at Marion at Harding High School before the Marion Campus was built. However, financial barriers limited her ability to pay for college.
“I had no financial help and I couldn’t get any,” she said. “I spent my life savings on two quarters at OSU Marion.”
While working in shipping and receiving at the new Sears & Roebuck to save money, Culver was recruited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“They wanted that small town work ethic,” Culver said. “The agent who did my background check said he couldn’t believe anyone was so squeaky clean.”
Culver spent 33 years as an administrative assistant in Washington, D.C., where she enjoyed the city’s many cultural attractions. Her career later led her to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Law Department in Kentucky, and then to the University of Kentucky’s College of Law.
“I’ve had an eclectic career,” Culver said.
Her travels have taken her around the globe, including a visit to Antarctica and at least two visits to every other continent. She has explored 49 of the 50 states. Despite her extensive travels, Culver maintains an appreciation for what Marion offers, noting her enjoyment of “behind-the-scenes tours, the loft tours and the Harding Symposium.”
Culver returned to Ohio to assist her elderly parents. Her mother, Joann, lived to be 96. Many family members, including her niece Christy Culver, provided support to her parents.
“Christy was very good to her grandmother,” Cheryl Culver recalled.
Christy Culver shares her aunt’s passion for education and business. She earned her associate’s degree in business from Marion Tech, followed by bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Christy has been a faculty member at Marion Tech for 36 years, making her the college’s longest-tenured instructor, having taught thousands of students.
“Our students work so hard to build better futures for themselves and their families,” Christy Culver said. “My aunt is leading by example establishing this scholarship, and our students and community are better for it.”
For Cheryl Culver, giving back and helping to alleviate financial burdens for students was paramount.
“Even with our low tuition, many of our students struggle with financial barriers,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Technical College Foundation. “Though our scholarships are growing, our student body is, too.”
Andy Harper, immediate past president of the MTC Foundation Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for the new scholarship. “We so appreciate Cheryl Culver for investing in our students,” Harper said. “Every dollar helps students and pays dividends for our community, as the vast majority of our students stay here after graduation.”
For information on donating or learning about scholarships at Marion Tech, visit the MTC Foundation website.