Giving Back to Central Students
“I support the Journey scholarship because that’s what kept me going here.”
– William C. Wellner ’50
Hometown: Red Bank, New Jersey
Major: Chemistry
Minors: Biology and English
Student Activities: Cleaned classrooms, washed dishes and served meals to students to earn room and board
Graduate Study: Master’s degree in school counseling, University of Iowa; doctorate of education in educational psychology and counseling, University of Illinois
Current Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
William Wellner’s first jobs after graduating from Central were teaching high school math and science at schools in Iowa and Illinois.
“After my graduate work, I taught education and psychology and eventually became head of the education department at the University of Dubuque,” Wellner says.
Central prepared him well for his future. He learned to adapt. “A liberal arts background prepares you for everything,” he says.
“At large schools, especially, students tend to overspecialize. All they know is what they study. They don’t broaden their horizons. I came to Central thinking I wanted to be a doctor, but I also loved to read. So I added a minor in English to my major in chemistry. Eventually I decided I wanted to find out why people behave the way they behave. Studying and teaching then became my career,” he adds.
Wellner is a longtime philanthropic supporter to Central.
“I support the Journey scholarship because that’s what’s kept me going here—a very small scholarship and a job. I am now pleased that I can contribute to make Central a possibility for new students,” he says “Although I attended two other universities, Central was always primary for me. It provided me with student employment to make going to college possible. I came here with nothing in my pocket and left with a college degree and the chance to do the work I wanted to do.”
Now retired, Wellner has served as an elder and deacon in the local Presbyterian Church and currently teaches an adult church school class. He has been a square dancer since 1985, a bridge player, a golfer and recently became an announcer for his local television station. He still enjoys traveling.