Washington State University recently received a $1.5 million bequest from Harold “Hal” and Wilma Stellingwerf in support of the school’s Crimson Opportunity Scholarship, the largest gift in the scholarship’s history.
Hal attended WSU (then Washington State College) after one of his high school teachers saw his potential and offered to pay his tuition. Hal graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and repaid his teacher in full before working at the Bremerton Naval Shipyards during World War II.
Wilma pursued her love of school at Central Washington University, where she trained to become a fifth-grade teacher and later a librarian.
The two met in Wenatchee and married in 1951. There, Hal built a beautiful brick house, which he named “Wilma’s House,” where they lived the rest of their lives.
The couple’s final act of kindness was an estate gift to support students at their alma maters, ensuring access to education and opportunities for generations to come.
The Crimson Opportunity Scholarship was established in 2009 and provides financial support to WSU students with demonstrated financial need, regardless of their background, major, or campus location.
You can read more about Hal and Wilma’s story here.
