Estate Gift Boosts Scholarship Program
Mildred “Millie” Luther, a lifelong resident of Champaign County and a dedicated supporter of education and agriculture, has impacted the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation through a generous estate gift. The gift, received in early April, commemorates Luther’s longtime and significant impact on the CCFB Foundation
Luther, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91, directed the estate gift to support local students pursuing degrees, and eventual careers, in agriculture.
The CCFB Foundation is committed to cultivating agricultural education and has awarded over $1.3 million in tuition assistance to Champaign County students since 1985. Luther’s donation significantly bolsters this mission and enables the foundation to expand its scholarship programs and support more students in their educational endeavors.
Mildred Luther grew up on her family’s farm in southwest Champaign. Millie, along with her sister Kathryn Luther Henderson, and brother-in-law Bill Henderson, were long-time members of the CCFB Foundation Board of Directors. The trio took pride in reading and evaluating every scholarship application. “They loved getting to know our scholarship recipients” said Kirk Builta, Executive Director of the CCFB Foundation.
Builta adds “the lives Millie touched through our scholarship program are many. We’re incredibly proud to continue Millie’s legacy, forever, through this endowment”.
In recognition of Millie’s contribution, the largest gift the organization has received to date, the CCFB Foundation has established the Mildred Luther Memorial Scholarship to be awarded annually to a Champaign County student.
Additionally, Mildred’s gift establishes and maintains the William T and Kathryn Luther Henderson Scholarship in recognition, and memory, of her sister and brother-in-law. The scholarship will be awarded annually to students demonstrating a commitment to agriculture and high academic achievement.
These scholarship programs not only honor the Henderson’s memory but also ensures that the family’s passion for education will be remembered for generations to come. Mildred, and her sister Kathryn, held deep roots in the community and each enjoyed careers at the University of Illinois which spanned over five decades.
The CCFB Foundation is proud to honor Mildred, along with William and Kathryn Luther Henderson. The Foundation communicates the importance of agriculture throughout our community and through education. Each year the CCFB Foundation’s scholarship program awards over $75,000 to Champaign County students pursuing degrees in agriculture.
Additionally, the Champaign County Ag in the Classroom program provides hands-on and ag-accurate educational lessons to schools throughout the county. These lessons are presented to elementary schools and are provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of various donors and community partners.
For more information about the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation and its scholarship programs, visit www.ccfbfoundation.com.