New scholarship will support OSU-Lima students from Auglaize County
LIMA — Thanks to a gift from a campus legend and her family, students from Auglaize County attending The Ohio State University at Lima will have more scholarship support beginning autumn semester 2021.
The Vic and Judy Von Blon Endowed Scholarship Fund is aimed at undergraduate students from Auglaize County who have demonstrated both leadership abilities and financial need. The endowment was recently approved by Ohio State’s Board of Trustees and at least two scholarships will be awarded the first semester.
“Whenever someone decides to endow a scholarship to support the dreams of our students, we are grateful,” said Tim Rehner, dean and director. “It is even more wonderful when we can give a scholarship that has been named for someone so special to our campus. Judy’s caring, dedication and Ohio State spirit will live on through the students who benefit from the Von Blon Endowed Scholarship.”
In her 33 years at the Ohio State Lima campus, Judy Von Blon was the walking, talking personification of the Ohio State spirit. For many years, she was the voice and the face the community associated with the Lima campus. Judy started at the campus as a typist, moved on to the faculty services office, and retired in 2005 as the executive assistant to the dean and director.
The new endowed scholarship fund grew out of a current use scholarship fund that the Von Blons established in 2013 to support students. Building on Woody Hayes’ philosophy of paying it forward, the Von Blons decided to go bigger and leave a lasting legacy for the campus and students that Judy Von Blon cares so much about.
“Judy just loves this place and would do anything for it and its students. She tells everybody they should come to Ohio State,” Vic Von Blon said.
“It’s hard to conceive that we might be the reason someone can go to school. That’s overwhelming.”
Judy Von Blon is not the only one with strong ties to Ohio State. Vic Von Blon graduated from The Ohio State University’s doctor of optometry program in 1958. He served four years as an optometry officer in the US Army before opening an office in St. Marys, where he practiced for 42 years. He feels very connected to the people of Ohio State and is happy to help propel the university and its students forward.
“This may sound corny, but I don’t think it’s corny -- It’s much more blessed to give than receive,” said Vic Von Blon. “Every day I ask the good Lord to let me have the ability to help somebody to achieve.”
For more information about Ohio State Lima, visit the web at lima.osu. edu.