Lindsey keeps a promise to create a lasting legacy for late husband

Evelyn Lindsey kept a promise she made to her late husband, Herman, to establish The Herman Monroe Lindsey Scholarship at Northwest after her lifetime.

Herman graduated from Maryville High School in 1938. He enrolled at Northwest that fall and attended through 1940 when World War II broke out. Herman served his country as a navigator in the Army Air Corps and later in Gen. Patton's Eighth Air Force, attaining the rank of major, but was captured as a prisoner of war. After his release, Herman remained in the Air Force Reserves for 27 years. He returned to Northwest in 1946 before transferring to another university to complete degrees in civil engineering and business administration.

The couple met in Kansas City, where Evelyn graduated from the St. Luke's nursing program. She put her training to use as a store nurse for Macy's then later for AT&T as a corporate nurse. Evelyn enjoyed her work, but, at Herman's request, she happily resigned after they were married in 1961 so she could accompany her husband on his business trips throughout the United States and Europe.

When the couple journeyed to Clarinda, Iowa, in 2003, they stayed in Maryville and toured the Northwest campus. Soon afterward, Herman became ill, and he passed away in 2007. Evelyn continues to live in their Leawood, Kan., home.

By naming the Northwest Foundation as the residual beneficiary of her living trust, Evelyn made Herman's dream of assisting students who otherwise would not be able to attend college come true. Evelyn's bequest established The Herman Monroe Lindsey Scholarship, which will be administered through the University's need-based Northwest Promise program.