The scholarship fund has been established by Dr. Vernon Gerlach and his children.
Betty (nee Schweppe) Gerlach (1922-2012) graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1942.She married Dr. Vernon Gerlach in 1946, and God blessed them with four children, Douglas, David, William, and Becky.
During her five years in the teaching ministry, Betty taught different grades, ranging from 1 to 5, at St. John-St. Paul, Minnesota; Atonement-Milwaukee; and Zion-Detroit. There was no such thing as early childhood education in those days. Kindergarten was relegated to half days—if it was offered at all.
One summer, as Betty was teaching the little ones at vacation Bible school at Emmanuel Lutheran in Tempe, Arizona, she noted, “How their eyes brightened up when I told them of their Savior and heaven.”
Thus began her love for the early childhood education program at Martin Luther College.
May the recipients of her scholarship also be privileged to behold the joyfully bright eyes of little children, as they learn of their dear Savior and Friend, Jesus.
This fund awards an annual grant to a Martin Luther College student who is majoring in early childhood education and who demonstrates financial need.
