The Ernest and Mayro Porter Scholarship Fund was established upon the death of Mayro Marie (Pursley) Porter. Her husband, a longtime Muncie dentist, died in 1992.

Dr. Porter was born in Martin County and graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1940. He served with the Air Force Dental Corps during World War II and started his dental practice in Muncie in 1947 in the former Johnson Building. Porter was a life member of the American Dental Association and the Indiana Dental Association. He retired in 1990.

Mrs. Porter was born in Tocsin and graduated from Ball State in 1937. She received a master's degree in education in 1964 and taught at Selma, Yorktown, and Muncie schools before retiring in 1982. She was a 50-year member of the American Association of University Women and a foundation member of the Riley-Jones Club.

The bequest provides scholarship support to both undergraduate and graduate nontraditional students.

Nontraditional students are those who have spent a significant amount of time between high school and college in environments not dedicated to formal learning. They include adult commuters, distance learners, retirees and those seeking career changes, skill development or an intellectually challenging environment.

Preference will be given to students who show potential for future success through past achievements or activities or through evidence of commitment to completing a degree. Financial need will be considered.

By Lori Rader, Communications Manager