HENGEVELDS ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP

A long-time Dana College professor and his family returned to the college recently to make a significant gift.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Frank Hengeveld and his wife, Helen, presented Dana President Myrvin Christopherson ’61 a check for $50,000 to establish the Frank and Helen Hengeveld Endowed Scholarship which will be presented annually to an outstanding student in chemistry or science.

“Frank and Helen are beloved on our campus and in the Blair area — Frank for his sharp intellect and wit and his sincere devotion to learning, and Helen for her gentle compassion and service to church and community,” said Christopherson. “The scholarship they have endowed is a most welcome gift to our science students and to Dana where they have lived and given so much of their lives the last 60 years. We were delighted to have them and two of their daughters, Susanne and Lonna, join us for a gathering of friends and the presentation of their generous scholarship donation.”

Hengeveld taught at Dana from 1946-56 and 1966-86. Among his students was Dr. Larrie Stone, who later became his colleague in the science department as a professor of biology.

While in Blair, the Hengeveld family also planted a swamp oak at Black Elk-Neihardt Park as a “life celebration tree” in honor of Frank and Helen. In the early 1950s the family had owned and farmed part of the land that is now the park.

Frank and Helen Hengeveld now live in Eugene, Ore.