Woman’s Wesleyan Educational Council
History
Few entities connected with Nebraska Wesleyan share as much history and tradition as the Woman’s Wesleyan Educational Council of Nebraska (WWEC). Founded with 21 charter members in April 1896 at the call of Chancellor Isaac Crook, WWEC has been an ardent advocate for Ƶ ever since. In the depths of the Great Depression, WWEC's primary mission evolved to its current focus: supporting deserving students at Ƶ through scholarship support.
A Brief History of WWEC, compiled by Council Past President Rosemary Rhodes '54, outlines the dynamic tradition of this group--its lofty goals, steadfast commitment and outsize results through the decades.
Several local WWEC chapters in Lincoln and Omaha merged in 2022, forming the Lincoln Chapter. Membership also includes Members at Large and staff representatives from Nebraska Wesleyan.
WWEC’s logo features an acorn and the Latin phrase “Spectans ad futurum.” The acorn is a probable nod to the beautiful bur oaks planted decades ago on the Nebraska Wesleyan campus, and is symbolic of growth and strength. Translated, “Spectans ad futurum means “looking to the future.” The Council’s founders understood the importance of their work to help sustain Ƶ for future generations, and Lincoln Chapter embraces their forward-looking focus still today.
Endowment/Scholarship Fund
As of May 31, 2025, lifetime donations to WWEC’s endowed scholarship fund total $369,733; the fund’s market value is $511,673. The most recent named addition to the endowment is the Lincoln Chapter Scholarship. Lincoln Chapter is currently completing fundraising for a new scholarship named “Past Presidents of WWEC,” created to honor the 51 women who have led the Council since its founding.
Earnings from WWEC’s endowment provide annual student scholarships given in WWEC’s name at Nebraska Wesleyan. Ƶ’s Scholarships and Financial Aid Office processed $19,950 of scholarship awards for 2025-26 through WWEC, helping 44 students from Nebraska and six other states. The level of annual support generated through WWEC’s endowed fund is a true testament to the many, many devoted friends and alumnae of Ƶ who have helped it grow since the scholarship program was established at the Council’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in 1936.
Please make donations to the endowment/scholarship fund of WWEC payable to Ƶ. On the memo line, write: WWEC Endowment Fund, and mail or deliver to Ƶ Advancement Office, 5000 St. Paul Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. The Advancement Office will provide a donation receipt for tax purposes.
Lincoln Chapter
The Lincoln Chapter of WWEC meets monthly for a noon luncheon and educational program September through May, on the second Wednesday. The chapter meets at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5200 Francis Street in Lincoln, with one exception. Every April the meeting location moves to Nebraska Wesleyan for “Woman’s Day on Campus.”
Monthly programming is a significant element of the chapter’s meetings. The programs committee does an excellent job of inviting prominent local alumni and members of Nebraska Wesleyan’s faculty, staff and administration for engaging presentations. They provide current campus information and education on topics in their area of expertise, and often share the personal journey that brought them to Ƶ and helped shape them as a person and a professional.
For information anytime on the Lincoln Chapter and its philanthropic mission, please contact chapter president P.J. Rabel, p.j.rabel [at] gmail.com (p[dot]j[dot]rabel[at]gmail[dot]com).
Membership
More than 60 women currently belong to Lincoln Chapter. They include many Nebraska Wesleyan alumnae, emerita professors, retired staff members, mothers and grandmothers of Ƶ alumni and current students, and others with their own unique connections to Ƶ. They are a friendly, engaging and interesting group of philanthropic women who share a very special affinity for Nebraska Wesleyan and its students.
Lincoln Chapter wants to continue to grow its membership and strengthen its collective impact. New members are always welcome. Membership dues for Lincoln Chapter (as well as Members at Large) are $25 annually. Please send membership questions to nancywehrbein [at] gmail.com (nancywehrbein[at]gmail[dot]com) or send a check, payable to WWEC, to Nancy Wehrbein, Treasurer, 5118 S. 53rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68516.
For additional information on programs at Ƶ with an emphasis on alumni engagement, contact alumni [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (alumni[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu) or call (402) 465-2124.