Congratulations to the Recipients of the Gishler & Mannies Scholarships for 2009

THE LEWIS WEBER GISHLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. Lewis Weber Gishler was the Senior Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Muncie, Indiana, from 1943 to his retirement in 1973.  As Pastor Emeritus, he continued to serve interim ministries until shortly before his death in 1986.

Dr. Gishler was always a strong supporter of higher education, which was evident throughout his life.  He received a B.A. from SyracuseUniversity in 1931, M.A. from the same institution in 1932, and a B.D. from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1934.  Dr. Gishler also studied at the University of Durban in South Africa and at the University of London.

Hanover College presented Reverend Gishler with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree while he was Senior Pastor in Muncie.  He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Warren Wilson College, a Presbyterian related school in Asheville, North Carolina.

Dr. Gishler’s wife, Rosemary Walter Gishler, was a guidance counselor at Delta High School where she advised many students regarding college choices.  In addition, their five daughters attended various colleges and universities throughout the United States.  During his ministry in Muncie, the congregation built a beautiful new church on the edge of the Ball State University campus where Dr. Gishler and his wife ministered to countless numbers of college students.

 Following his death in 1986, friends, family, and former parishioners created a scholarship in Dr. Gishler’s name, to further expand his commitment to education and to excellence.  The Lewis Weber Gishler Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to selected children of members of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church in Muncie.

 The Nancie Mannies Memorial Scholarship

Nancy Mannies was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Muncie from 1990 until her death in July, 2004. She was a graduate of Peru High School, Peru, Indiana in 1956 and received her Bachelors Degree in English and Journalism from Ball State Teacher’s College in 1960.  She received a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Ball State University in 1969.

 Nancy Mannies was an Associate Professor of Education at Ball State University and was a Middle School Social Studies Teacher at Burris Laboratory School for 21 years from 1969-1990.  Nancy was also the Editor of the Ball State Alumnus Magazine for six years, 1962-1968.

 Following major surgery in 1990, Nancy became an outstanding volunteer at Ball Memorial Hospital and accumulated over 7,500 hours of service including a great deal of volunteering for her true love, the Library of Life, Love and Laughter at the hospital.  She also served on the Board of the Delaware County American Cancer Society, was a Board member of the Ball Hospital Auxiliary, a Docent at E.B. Ball Center, and a member of Alpha Omicron Phi Sorority Alumnae Chapter in Muncie. 

 In 1998, Nancy received Indiana’s highest honor from Governor Frank O’Bannon by being named a “Sagamore of the Wabash.”  She dedicated a great deal of her life to God and to the First Presbyterian Church.  She was one of the original Stephen Ministers at the church, a Deacon, and also spent countless hours involving herself with the Ministry Guild and the Friday Morning Circle (also known as the Dee Dah Day Group) at First Presbyterian Church.  She served as a liaison between the church and Ball Memorial Hospital and visited thousands of patients over her 14 year period of volunteering. 

 Nancy Mannies was an outstanding member of First Presbyterian church and was a loving wife, mother, and volunteer throughout her entire life.  Nancy was a tremendously giving person to people and at her request she became an organ donor.  It’s estimated that she is currently alive in 10-15 different people through her generosity. 

 Nancy Mannies’ Husband, Morry was a Speech and English Teacher at Muncie Central High School for eight years and was an Assistant Professor of Speech Communication at Ball State University for seven years before entering the insurance business.  He has also been the voice of high school and Ball State University Football and Basketball for radio station WLBC for 52 years.  Following Nancy’s death in 2004, her husband Morry, son Jeff, and daughter Julie created the scholarship in Nancy Mannies’ name to further expand her commitment to education, excellence, and of course to the First Presbyterian Church.  The Nancy Mannies Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to selected children of members of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Muncie, Indiana.