The Lead.
A local woman is honoring her parents’ memories by creating a new scholarship fund at Marion Technical College. Cheryl J. Culver of Upper Sandusky is offering a helping hand to a second year business student from Marion or Wyandot Counties.
“I push for education,” said Cheryl Culver. “I’m a big believer in learning.”
Deep Local Roots
Cheryl grew up on the farm her parents, Dale and B. Joann Smith Culver, owned on U.S. 23 south of Upper Sandusky, near Morral. The farm was just north of the Marion-Wyandot County line. She credits her parents and the farm for her strong work ethic.
Cheryl recalls visiting her grandfather’s barbershop across from St. Mary Catholic Church on Main Street and walking through downtown Marion.
“I remember visiting the Isaly Shoppes and catching a movie at the Palace Theatre for 50 cents,” Cheryl said. “Marion was really hopping.”
Cheryl attended school in Harpster before transferring to Upper Sandusky High School in 10th grade. After she graduated in 1965, the Culvers encouraged their daughter to go to college.
“They knew this would lead to opportunities I would never have on the farm,” Cheryl said.
Cheryl took night classes from The Ohio State University at Marion at Harding High School before the Marion Campus was built. However, paying for college was a barrier.
“I had no financial help and I couldn’t get any. I spent my life savings on two quarters at OSU Marion,” Cheryl said.
New Opportunity: Working for the F.B.I.
Cheryl was working in shipping and receiving at the new Sears & Roebuck to save money when the Federal Bureau of Investigation came and recruited her.
“They wanted that small town work ethic,” Cheryl said. ‘The agent who did my background check said he couldn’t believe anyone was so squeaky clean.”
Cheryl went to Washington, D.C. where she worked as an administrative assistant for 33 years. She enjoyed the many attractions such as museums and theater that the nation’s capital offered.
Culver Travels
Later, Cheryl worked for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Law Department in Kentucky. She then moved to the University of Kentucky's College of Law.
“I’ve had an eclectic career,” Cheryl said.
Cheryl has traveled the world, visiting Antarctica once and every other continent at least twice. She’s visited 49 of the 50 states. While Cheryl has traveled around the world, she loves what Marion offers.
“I love the behind-the-scenes tours, the loft tours and the Harding Symposium,” Cheryl stated.
Returning Home
Family needs brought Cheryl home. She returned to Ohio after her elderly parents needed assistance. Joann lived to age 96. Many family members, including her niece Christy Culver, helped support the seniors.
“Christy was very good to her grandmother,” Cheryl recalls.
Christy and Cheryl share a love of education and business. Christy graduated from Marion Tech with her associate’s degree in business then earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She has taught at Marion Tech for 36 years and is the college’s longest tenured faculty member, teaching thousands of students.
"Our students work so hard to build better futures for themselves and their families. My aunt is leading by example establishing this scholarship, and our students and community are better for it,” Christy said.
For Cheryl, it was very important to give back and help cut through the financial barrier.
Scholarship Gratefully Appreciated
“Even with our low tuition, many of our students struggle with financial barriers,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Tech Foundation. “Though our scholarships are growing, our student body is, too.”
“We so appreciate Cheryl Culver for investing in our students,” said Andy Harper, immediate past president of the MTC Foundation Board of Directors. “Every dollar helps students and pays dividends for our community, as the vast majority of our students stay here after graduation.”
For More Info:
To donate or learn about the many scholarships available at Marion Tech, go to MTC Foundation.
