Tom Gettinger and his brothers John and Dan grew up in a "house divided." Their mother was a staunch supporter of Indiana University while their father was loyal to Purdue University. This friendly rivalry is played out in thousands of homes throughout Indiana, but with the help of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, it inspired the establishment of two scholarships that now help Sullivan County students attend those renowned universities.

During and after World War II, the Gettingers' parents attended college - Evelyn at I.U. and John at Purdue. Due to circumstances very much beyond their control, neither was able to graduate. That made them even more determined that their three sons would get a college education. When that time came, the rivalry intensified with Tom and Dan choosing I.U. and John going to Purdue.

After her husband passed away, Evelyn worked with the Sullivan County Community Foundation to establish a scholarship in his name. The John D. Gettinger scholarship assists Sullivan County students seeking an education at John's beloved Purdue. When Evelyn passed away, her sons felt it was only right to set up a scholarship for Sullivan County students who wanted to go to I.U., so the Foundation helped them set up the Evelyn W. Gettinger scholarship.

Even though Tom's brothers are living in other parts of the country, the rivalry continues. He said, "What our family does agree on is the importance of a college education. We know how hard it is for some students to find the resources to go to a major university. For that reason, we feel these two scholarships are very appropriate ways to memorialize our parents."

Tom and his wife Nancy are firm believers in the benefits of supporting their community through the Foundation. They set up the Angels for Sullivan Junior High School Fund to provide basic assistance to students of that school. Nancy's family and her mother, Sally Geitz, have endowed two scholarships, as well as the Angels for Sullivan Elementary School Fund.

"It's very important to assure that your good intentions are carried out even after you pass away," Tom explained. "What the Foundation can do is make sure your gift continues even after you are gone."