Dave and Nancy Wilber ’68

“Lake Forest College played a significant role in our lives and in preparing us for successful careers. We are longtime donors to the College and have helped to establish two endowed scholarships. While we are not part of the ‘one percent’ who can make a seven or eight figure gift, we are able to make a six figure contribution in the form of a planned gift.” 

Dave and Nancy Wilber ’68 came to Lake Forest College on very different paths. Nancy, a prospective biology major, (she later switched to English) came to the College from Lincoln, Nebraska, because she was offered a financial aid package that included loans, scholarships, and work study. Dave, also an English major, needed financial aid as well. He chose Lake Forest over other Midwestern colleges based on his interview with an admissions officer at a Rhode Island “College Night” presentation.

Although the two knew of each other during their first semester, they didn’t meet until January 1965.

“I had a radio show, and WLFC had a new ‘call in’ feature—similar to what all stations have today. I launched a discussion about how I thought sophomore girls were better than freshmen—because I was dating a sophomore at the time. Nancy and two of her friends were so incensed they picketed my show … standing outside in January! Well, I was so impressed that I asked her for a date,” said Dave.

From then on their paths were intertwined, and the two dated throughout college and participated in numerous activities together.

“When Dave and I were in school, it was unusual for students to go to Chicago. We went to the parks and museums—especially the Art Institute—and just enjoyed the culture of the city. We were delighted when the College introduced the Center for Chicago and Lake Forest in The Loop programs to provide today’s students with this experience!” said Nancy.

“Neither of us came to college knowing much about art or music, and Lake Forest exposed us to so much of that,” explained Dave.

Beginning sophomore year, both Dave and Nancy worked in town. Nancy worked at Uhlmann’s Opticians and Dave at Bud & Art’s Standard service station, together with many other Lake Forest students. Several years later, with other Bud & Art’s “alumni,” they helped to establish the Bud and Ruth Holmes Scholarship to honor Bud.

They were also active in establishing the Class of 1968 endowed scholarship, the largest such scholarship in the College’s history.

“We focus on scholarships because we were given a chance to go to college through scholarships, and we want to help give other students that opportunity as well,” said Dave. 

Several years ago, Dave and Nancy included a bequest to the College in their estate plan. Providing for Lake Forest College in your will is an easy way to make a substantial contribution to the College without affecting current income. Both attribute their ongoing support of Lake Forest College to their gratitude to everything they gained during their time as students.

“I think, for me, Lake Forest College helped form my future—by that I mean, coming out of high school, I was a teenager and going to college to become an adult—Lake Forest gave me the foundational skills I needed, and it also gave me great cultural breadth. And, of course, it gave me Dave!” said Nancy.

Dave and Nancy are one of several “Lake Forest couples” from the class of 1968 who met at the College and have remained involved through their class.