Lock Haven alumna endows scholarship in support of future special educators

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2. Lock Haven alumna endows scholarship in support of future special educators

When Elizabeth "Betsy" (Persun) Miller graduated from Lock Haven State College in 1973, she left with more than just a bachelor's degree in English. She carried with her a deep sense of confidence, lifelong friendships and an enduring appreciation for the education she received at a state-funded university. Now, more than 50 years later, she is giving back to the place that helped shape her life by establishing the Elizabeth Persun Miller '73, Rodney Miller and Allison Miller Scholarship at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven.

The scholarship, endowed through a major gift to the Lock Haven University Foundation (LHUF), will support junior or senior students majoring in special education who demonstrate financial need. For Miller, the decision to create this scholarship was deeply personal.

"I got a great education at Lock Haven, and I want to give that opportunity to others," she said. "But more importantly, I want to support students who are preparing to go into special education. That field means so much to my family and me."

Betsy and her husband Rod are the parents of Allison, who was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability at the age of four. Throughout Allison's childhood and into adulthood, trained special education teachers and direct support professionals have played a vital role in her care and development.

"Allison was mainstreamed into public school after three years in intermediate unit classrooms, but she always had special education teachers working with her," Miller said. "They were our lifeline. Even today, she depends on people trained to work with individuals with special needs. That support system is everything."

Watching the dedication and skill of educators and specialists over the years inspired Miller to help ensure the next generation of special needs professionals has the resources they need to leave their mark on the community.

"It's not an easy field, but it's so rewarding and so necessary," Miller said. "I want future teachers to know how important they are to families like ours."

Miller's decision to attend Lock Haven more than 50 years ago was also influenced by family. Her mother, Edith (Beach) Persun, graduated from Lock Haven in 1967 with bachelor's degree in education with a major in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse and eventually became the executive director of the Visiting Nurse Association of Lycoming County. Miller remembers her mother's determination to further her education despite raising a family at the time.

"My mom loved learning and she made education a priority," she said. "She set the example for me."

Following in her mother's footsteps, she enrolled at Lock Haven in 1969. She lived on campus all four years, majored in English, sang in the chorus, wrote briefly for the Eagle Eye student newspaper and made friends who remain close to this day.

"My Lock Haven experience gave me confidence," Miller said. "It forced me out of my comfort zone and showed me I could succeed. It was truly a great education."

Life after graduation took Miller in unexpected directions. She spent her first year out of college working in public relations for Keystone Central School District, before spending the next 15 years as a newspaper reporter for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and later with the GRIT - before pausing her professional life following the birth of her daughter.

Later, Miller joined the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, first as a clerk and eventually as a parole agent in a men's state prison-an unexpected but fulfilling role that she enjoyed.

When she and her husband reached retirement, a financial advisor encouraged them to consider charitable giving through their IRA. That conversation sparked the idea of creating a scholarship at Lock Haven.

"If we could have sent Allison to college, we would have," Miller said. "Since that wasn't possible, funding a scholarship felt like the right thing to do. It's a way of investing in something that matters and leaving a lasting impact."

For Miller, supporting a state-funded university like CU-Lock Haven is also an essential part of her gift.

"State schools give you a great education without saddling students with enormous debt," she said. "My friends and I all went on to good jobs and successful lives because of the foundation we received at Lock Haven. Supporting students and classrooms is one of the most important investments someone can make."

Through the Elizabeth Persun Miller '73, Rodney Miller and Allison Miller Scholarship, she is proud to leave her family's name connected to a cause so close to her heart.

"We won't have grandchildren, but this scholarship will carry on our name and help students who will go on to change lives," she said. "That means so much to us."

"I'm proud to be a Lock Haven graduate," she added. "And I'm grateful to give back to a place that gave me so much."

Categories:

• Alumni
• English
• Foundation - Lock Haven
• Special Education

Tags:

• Alumni
• Scholarships