In the African Lunyoro tribe, there is a proverb that whose translation is “A child does not grow up in a single home.”
More recently it has been used as “It takes a Village to Raise a Child”.
Charles Weaver has always lived by an African proverb and tonight, when he will be honored for his service to Ancilla College that proverb, will be on his mind as he steps to the podium. Since 1975, Weaver has worked tirelessly for Ancilla, a college he says is “near and dear to his heart.” Tonight, Charles Weaver will receive the Ancilla Award.
“My father, who was a businessman in Francesville, taught me that when you reside within a community and your earning comes from that community, you have an obligation, not an opportunity, an obligation to invest back and benefit that community with your public works and public services.”
Weaver talked about the school with WKVI earlier this week.
“There is no more nurturing and helpful place for a student, whether they be a traditional student just getting out of high school, or a non-traditional student, at Ancilla College. That college was designed to be Starke County’s community college.”
The award will be given to Charles Weaver at the Donor Recognition and Awards Dinner.
Another award recipient will be Betty Chesak, of North Judson. She will receive the Sister Mary Dolores Outstanding Alumni Award.
As a little girl, Betty was not able to go on to college, after graduating from high school. Money was tight, and the family could not afford to send her. Betty cried
when her best friend went on to school. But after a successful banking career and raising a family, Betty was visiting Ancilla one day when a Catholic nun said,
“Betty now is the time.”
“I attended a seminar there and afterward I went in to see the chapel since they were telling me what a beautiful chapel it was and it certainly is,” said Betty Chesak. “If you haven’t seen it, by all means go and see it. I was in there and a lady came along and started talking to me and I found out that it was Sister Virginia and we talked and talked. She said why don’t you start college now? I told her that I guess there isn’t any reason why I couldn’t and that’s how I began my Ancilla career.”
Two wonderful Starke County residents are being recognized tonight. Both are an inspiration to us all and we’re proud of their accomplishments.
