New Wilmington Rotary Scholarship Memorializes Rex Campbell

Rex Campbell's legacy at Westminster College lives on thanks to a memorial scholarship established by the New Wilmington Rotary Club.

Campbell, a 1975 graduate of Westminster College who died of cancer in 1999, comes from a long line of family Rotary and Westminster connections. His great-grandfather, W.W. Campbell, was chair of the Westminster College Music Department at the turn of the 20th century; his grandfather, W. Fillmore Campbell, was a 1922 graduate and a member of the Westminster College Board of Trustees from 1954-1978; and none of the men, including Rex and his father, William, ever missed a meeting of Rotary during their membership.

"Anything good that was going on in the 45 Rotary clubs in western Pennsylvania during the last 25 years, Rex Campbell was there volunteering his services, and Rotary recognizes his commitment to service," said Harry Craft, coordinator of the fund-raising effort.

First-year student Kristen Forsberg, an elementary education major from New Wilmington, is the first recipient of this scholarship. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danual Forsberg, R.D. 1, Wilmington Road, and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.

"It's a coincidence that Kristen is from New Wilmington," said Craft. "Any student from the Northwest Pennsylvania Rotary District is eligible, but preference is given to students who have financial need, and display community involvement."

"Rex's wife, Ayalyn, who teaches art at the Wilmington schools, made the choice where to put the money Rotary raised in honor of her husband," said Craft. "Now Rotary wants the public to have the opportunity to honor such a great man whose life was devoted to service."

For more information, contact Craft at (724) 946-8818 or Elizabeth "Biz" Hines, development officer for leadership gifts at Westminster College at (724) 946-7369 or e-mail ehines@westminster.edu.

More Stories