The Dr. Carl Lyles Scholarship was established in the late 1980s with donations from individuals who wanted to recognize Lyles’ contribute to education. Carl was born in Lyles Station, Gibson County, Indiana on January 13, 1912, to Jonathan and Mary Lyles. He and his wife, Mary, lived most of their married lives in Evansville, Indiana, where he was a long time educator.
Carl began teaching in Evansville’s Lincoln High School in 1949, moving to Reitz in 1962. He was named principal of Central Evening School in 1967 and later named assistant principal of Central High School, the first African American to hold such a position in Evansville’s school systems.
Carl was appointed and later elected to the Evansville-Vanderburgh School board from 1978-1983, and also served as a member of the Evansville Human Relations Commission. He received Ivy Tech’s Distinguished Service Award in 1991.
Lyles Station, where Carl was born, was established by freed slaves in 1840. Carl was the great-great grandson of the founder Joshua Lyles. Carl wrote books on the history of the settlement and was a true champion of its preservation.
This scholarship was created as a loving tribute to Carl to help African American Nursing students in financial need who reflect the integrity and sense of purpose Carl held in his own life. His goal was to help more African Americans enter into health careers.