With great pride, the Lewis B. and Bernice H. Newman Scholarship fund was established in 2001. Both Lewis and Bernice were born in Evansville, Indiana in 1914 and 1921 respectively, and were married in 1946. The Newmans remained in Evansville and raised their daughter, Leslie, and son, Alan in a warm and loving home environment.
Bernice and Lewis were co-owners and proprietors of the Atlas Department Store on the city’s near West side for over 30 years. Later the couple was also responsible for opening the area’s first movie rental business.
Regardless of the demands of business, the Newmans always kept family as their top priority. Education was stressed in the household, and there was never a doubt that college education was more of an expectation than a choice for their children.
Lewis and Bernice would love to have seen Ivy Tech move from a technical college to the largest state wide community college in the country. More important to them, however, would have been the quality and affordability that Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC) makes available. The Newmans would have loved that non-traditional students, some of whom work full-time jobs and raise families, have the opportunity to better their lives; the idea that all a student needs is the drive and determination to pursue knowledge, certification and/or graduation.
This Scholarship was created as a loving tribute to Lewis and Bernice to assist students with integrity, strength of character with financial need. Recipients must be degree seeking at the Southwest Regional Campus, and must complete the Ivy Tech Community College Scholarship application. Applicants must carry at 2.5 GPA and have a FAFSA on file with ITCC. The scholarship may be applied towards tuition, fees and book costs. Selection will be determined by the Ivy Tech Community College Scholarship Committee. The Newmans would be so proud to know that in their honor many students will see doors opened to them in their quest to create better lives for themselves and their families.