LOCK HAVEN — In honor of the remarkable life and career of 1954 Lock Haven alumnus William “Bill” Ira Vance and his 35 years of dedicated service to educating and mentoring students, the Vance family has graciously endowed the William I. Vance Memorial Scholarship through the Lock Haven University Foundation.

The Vance Memorial Scholarship will assist exemplary Commonwealth University-Lock Haven students seeking a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) career, with preference given to first-generation students majoring in computer science or any of the natural sciences. Vance, the first of his family to attend college, displayed notable aptitude and initiative throughout high school. Math and logical reasoning were a strong suit, and he delivered the salutatory address to his senior class.

His parents, a family of modest means from Tylersville, about 20 miles from Lock Haven, also believed in the transformative power of education. Having both worked in mill jobs, they saved to send him to college to fulfill his dream of a career as an educator.

In 1954, Vance rewarded his parents’ investment in his education by becoming the first person in their family to earn a college diploma. While at Lock Haven, Bill and his wife, Shirley, became parents to twin sons, Ron and Don. During his tenure as a student, Vance developed a strong affinity for Mat-Town, USA wrestling and witnessed the crowning of Lock Haven’s first-ever National Champion, Leonard “Gus” DeAugustino, in 1953.

Inspired by this rich wrestling tradition, he would eventually coach Selinsgrove’s intramural wrestling program, which later morphed into its junior high school program. His passion for wrestling was also instilled in Ron and Don, (and two grandsons), who both pursued the sport in their high school years. Widely respected for his leadership, humility, and empathy, students — even the most challenged ones — found solace in his firm yet fair approach. Beyond the classroom, he was generous with his time and talents and supported Selinsgrove’s football, wrestling, and track programs. In the summers, Vanced worked alongside the school’s shop teachers, assisting with remodeling and repair projects for the school district.

“Dad was a role model for work ethic, initiative and family values,” Ron said. “He took personal responsibility and strived to improve himself and his family. He didn’t have much, but he found a way to overachieve. Our country could use more of that.”