Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - A new endowment has been established to provide scholarships for students participating in the Community Foundation’s Imagine Early program, remembering the life and legacy of Merlin W. Nice.
The Merlin W. Nice Imagine Early Scholarship Endowment will help students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and reflects Merlin’s commitment to excellence and his enduring hope for future generations, according to a provided news release.
Nice was born Jan. 17, 1962, in Warsaw. He graduated from Southwood High School in 1980 before earning his AB in economics from Wabash College in 1984. Merlin went on to build a successful professional career with Univar Solutions, where he was recognized as a top sales manager throughout much of his tenure.
Nice was a multi-sport varsity letter winner at Southwood High School and was widely respected across Wabash County as a well-rounded student who excelled both academically and through school activities. He continued to pursue his academic and athletic passions at Wabash College, where he achieved one of the highest honors in collegiate athletics as a member of the 1982 NCAA National Championship basketball team.
During his time at Wabash College, Merlin held the NCAA tournament record for most consecutive free throws made (24), received the Pete Vaughn Outstanding Athlete Award, and was later inducted into the Wabash College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. After his collegiate playing career, Nice remained deeply connected to the sport by officiating basketball at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Beyond his many accomplishments, Nice was known above all for his servant’s heart, caring spirit and unforgettable sense of humor, the release states. His strong Christian faith guided his daily life.
“This endowment is a meaningful way to honor Merlin’s legacy of discipline, compassion, and commitment to helping others reach their full potential,” said Melissa Ford-Kalbfell, development director of the Community Foundation. “By supporting Imagine Early scholarships, this endowment will have a lasting impact on students and their families for generations to come. We are grateful to Merlin’s family for creating this endowment in his memory.”
For more information about the Merlin W. Nice Imagine Early Scholarship Endowment or the Imagine Early program, visit cfwabash.org or contact Joanne Case by emailing joanne@cfwabash.org.
Imagine Early, formerly known as the Early Award Scholarship Program, was established in 2016 as a way to transform everyday schoolwork into opportunities, preparing students to imagine their future early and earn up to $2,000 for education beyond high school. Students in grades 4–8 earn scholarships each nine weeks for in-school assignments and savings activities, and the scholarships are deposited into a Community Foundation fund in the student’s name. The scholarships can be used after high school graduation for tuition, books, or required equipment at trade schools, vocational schools, community colleges, or universities. Research on Imagine Early, conducted by the University of Michigan, shows that, compared to non-participants, students in the program, achieve higher grades, have improved social-emotional skills, and save more frequently.
Since 1954, the Community Foundation has been serving Wabash County citizens and has put income generated from donor’s investments to work in the community. To date, they have over 350 permanently endowed and over 85 non-permanent funds. Their total assets are more than $100 million and they have made more than $35 million in unrestricted grants to Wabash County nonprofits and programs, dedicated to improving life in the county. To learn more about our work and initiatives in the community, visit cfwabash.org or call 260-982-4824.
