APPLETON, WIS. — A $1.125 million gift from the trust of two former long-time Appleton residents will provide financial assistance to Lawrence University students from low-income families college officials announced today (8/1).
The Raymond C. Krueger Industrialist Scholarship will be established by a gift from the trust of Amond “Ralph” and Marjorie Ballinger. The scholarship honors Marjorie’s father, a 1914 graduate of Lawrence.
“This gift was really like an unexpected Christmas present,” said Calvin Husmann, Lawrence vice president for development and alumni relations. “It is gratifying to know that the Ballingers felt such passion for ensuring students with financial need would have the opportunity to receive a Lawrence education. Their action is evidence of what thoughtful members of the Fox Valley community can do for students wishing to study here at Lawrence.”
The Ballingers spent most of their lives in Appleton and were generous supporters of many Fox Valley organizations, including the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin and the Appleton Medical Center Foundation as well as The Post-Crescent-sponsored Backpacks for Kids program and the Stock the Shelves Campaign for area food pantries. They also were long-time members of First United Methodist Church, where they first met at a singles gathering in 1948.
Marjorie Ballinger was a 1928 graduate of Appleton High School and earned a degree from Bowlby’s Business College. She enjoyed a 30-year career with Fox River Tractor Company, retiring in 1970. She died last August at the age of 87.
Amond Ballinger, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, spent 28 years with the United States Department of Defense, retiring as a quality assurance specialist. He served as a supply officer for the Outagamie Chapter of the American Red Cross for more than 12 years. He passed away at the age of 84 in March of this year.
