Maryfaith Greenhalgh ’79 Weiss: Empowering female students

(Generosity Matters is a series of spotlight stories about alumni who give back to Augustana College.)

“It was the end of my freshman year. A woman on my dormitory floor told me she would not be returning to Augustana. She could not return strictly due to financial limitations. Augustana had helped support her during her freshman year, but the funding was only for a year. She also worked a part-time job during the academic year and had taken out loans to attend Augustana. 

This woman had excelled academically and had grown personally through her experience at Augie. She was the kind of woman who should be an Augustana student and graduate. At the time I wished I could have helped her. Now we can.”

Almost two decades after she graduated, Maryfaith Greenhalgh ’79 Weiss lost her father. Her mother was searching for a way to honor his memory and established the Richard M. Greenhalgh Weiss Memorial Scholarship at Augustana.

“There are many scholarships that recognize high academic achievement,” Weiss said. “It was important to our mom that female students who are ‘B’ students be given a financial opportunity. Many times it is those well-rounded women with ambition and motivation who succeed.”

Since that time, Weiss has devotedly supported the scholarship ensuring that future generations of Augustana students won’t face the same fate as the young woman on her dorm floor. Today the scholarship is known as the Greenhalgh Weiss Scholarship. Since its inception, the scholarship has been awarded to 85 students.

“Education is very important to both Gary, my husband, and me,” Weiss said. “We have experienced the benefits of having a higher education. We believe it’s a way to creating a better life. Continuing to provide funding for the scholarship provides an opportunity to help others reach their personal and professional goals.”

Recently, Weiss had an opportunity to hear a presentation by Augustana’s incoming president, Andrea Talentino. Talentino shared that she feels the college experience goes beyond the classroom, and is, in fact, about the student’s entire campus life experience.

“By giving, I am hopeful someone else is able to have the same kind of experience and education at Augustana that I had,” Weiss said. “I received an education that allowed me to have a career I enjoyed and the ability to further my education at graduate school. I also developed many lifelong friends who have been instrumental in my life.”

Now Weiss is able to see the impact her father’s scholarship is making in the lives of current Augustana students.

“One of the Greenhalgh Weiss memorial scholarships went to a young woman whose parents work on a farm,” she said. “During COVID, her parents and family members were laid off. To help support her family, she took time off of school. There was no question in her mind that she would go home to help.

“Simultaneously, there was a strong resolve that she would return to Augustana. This young woman did not let her family’s financial situation deter her. She was determined, motivated to earn her degree no matter what obstacles she encountered. 

“I am proud and grateful the scholarship will be there for her so she can return and complete her dream.”