MINISTER'S SON CREATES SCHOLARSHIP FOR FUTURE WABASH MEN

Gayle and Thomas Leroy Houk Jr. '62

As the son of a minister who traveled to rural areas, Thomas Leroy Houk Jr. '62 grew up in small farm communities in northwest Indiana. "Clergy make a decision to follow their calling in lieu of considerations for financial gain," he says. "My father was a minister, and I never would have been able to go to Wabash without financial help."

Tom attended Wabash College with the assistance of a Wabash College Conversion Loan. He also drove a laundry truck each day from Crawfordsville to Lafayette. Tom explains that the loan paid a portion of his tuition-if he graduated. "I worked very, very hard to graduate," he says.

After receiving his BA with a major in psychology and minor in economics, Tom went directly into the Navy, attended officer training school and traveled the world.

Later, Tom became the successful business owner of Diller-Brown & Associates, Inc., a manufacturer's representative for water and wastewater valve markets. He says of his experience, "I've been able to function successfully in the business world primarily from the background I received at Wabash."

Now retired, he and his wife Gayle enjoy time with their two grandchildren. They also enjoy bicycling-35 miles every Saturday morning-and riding through the mountains of North Carolina.

Another activity Tom greatly treasures is co-hosting the annual Monon Bell Game telecast for Orlando area alumni. Of late, the games have tipped strongly in Wabash's favor the past four years.

In making his gift to Wabash College, Tom says, "I always felt like I would like to do something to help other young men of similar circumstances." With a partial gift of his life insurance policy to fund student scholarships, Tom has fulfilled that legacy dream. By changing his policy designation and executing an endowed fund agreement with Wabash, Tom will use part of the policy to fund the Houk Family Scholarship at his passing, and hence, help generations of Wabash men achieve their own dreams.