Scholarship namesake, after meeting student recipient: ‘I know Heidelberg is well’

Occasionally, students get to meet the donors who created the scholarships they received. Or better yet, the namesake of them. Last night’s inaugural Givers Gala was just such an opportunity for rising senior Lillian Robeson and Bob Oleson, retired Dean of Students and Dean of Alumni.

This year, Lillian was the recipient of the Oleson-Wolff Scholarship, created in 2010 by alumni Aris Kaplanis and Kinsley Nyce, both ’74, to honor the iconic dean and “Mother Wolff,” the late communication professor Dr. Leanne Wolff.

Prior to the start of the Givers Gala, Lillian and Bob had a chance to meet in person. And oh, the stories that were shared.

Bob relayed that it was Aris who dubbed his longtime colleague and friend, Leanne, as “Mother Wolff” for her tough-love nurturing of her students. He talked proudly of Aris, a CEO in the international tech industry, and Kinsley, an attorney in Columbus, and the careers they built based on the liberal arts foundation they received at Heidelberg. Both have enjoyed highly successful careers. Additionally, in 2016, Aris’ generosity led to the naming of Heidelberg’s Master of Business Administration Program in his honor. He also provided strong support for the creation of the PlusOneAdvangate® MBA Scholarship program. Ironically, it’s the exact program Lillian plans to enter after she receives her bachelor’s degree in May 2025.

As a business management major with minors in communication and media studies, Lillian has assumed numerous leadership roles on campus, serving as president of the Enactus group and on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board. In addition to being stellar academically and a softball student-athlete, Lillian is the recipient of a Presidential Scholarship and earned her realtor’s license at age 19 -- exactly the type of student the Oleson-Wolff Scholarship was designed to recognize.

The scholarship “meant a lot for me personally,” Lillian said. “I’ve worked hard for three years and sometimes, I haven’t felt seen or acknowledged.” However, receiving the Oleson-Wolff scholarship changed her perspective.

“I didn’t know that people did notice me, and that fills my heart. It’s so nice to be recognized in this way,” she added.

Bob and Lillian had a pleasant chat, getting to know each other. Asked what the conversation and meeting meant to him, he said, “I know that Heidelberg is well.”

“I watched a lot of our grads go on to become presidents of companies because of their liberal arts background. That’s what life is about,” he added.

Not ironically, Lillian was chosen to deliver a message of gratitude to the donors and friends attending the event, on behalf of her ‘Berg classmates and fellow scholarship recipients.