The Nygaard Family College of Education Endowed Scholarship

David and Laverna Nygaard were involved in a serious auto accident in 1971, leaving Mr. Nygaard with skull fractures and Mrs. Nygaard hospitalized for 90 days. After putting his studies on hold in order to assist his wife during her rehabilitation, Mr. Nygaard eventually completed an undergraduate degree in secondary education-social studies and a master’s degree in counseling at Wichita State University. In light of his situation, Kenneth Nickel, past dean of WSU’s College of Education, assisted Mr. Nygaard in getting a tuition refund. The Nygaards were very involved with the university and created both a scholarship and fellowship to assist students. They named their funds ‘Nygaard Family’ to also honor their daughters, Natalie and Nicole.