The Elna Ryals Endowed Scholarship was established in 1999 by Elna Ryals. Elna was born in Elva, Kentucky, on February 6, 1922, to Albert and Magdalene Bouland. She and her husband, Aubrey, formerly owned and operated Wessleman’s Groceries, where she worked as a bookkeeper for many years.
Elna loved to garden, both flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed traveling and playing golf when she was able to.
Elna also loved playing the card game Gin – she got a kick out of beating Aubrey, which was a hard thing to accomplish! Most importantly, though, her Bible really was her life.
Elna enjoyed visiting Ivy Tech Community College. There she could interact with the dedicated personnel and the students she cared for so deeply. In 2002, she was awarded an honorary associate degree in college and community service. Elna and Aubrey were recognized for their support of the Ivy Tech Capital Campaign with the Elna and Aubrey Business Lab.
This scholarship was created as a loving tribute to Elna to help students in financial need who reflect the integrity and sense of purpose Elna held in her own life. Her generosity continues to help many students better their lives by providing them with opportunities they may very well have never been able to afford on their own.