Tim Wolf was a person you would have liked to know. He had a way of always seeing the bright side and willingly shared his big smile with everyone he met. He excelled in school, was a medalist on the golf team, and played the trombone in the Scottsburg Band of Warriors.
In August of 1989 just short of his 14th birthday his life changed forever. He was diagnosed with leukemia. He said that was when he stopped being a child and was forced to be an adult. A long battle followed which included chemotherapy, radiation and finally a bone marrow transplant performed at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Tim?s attitude through it all was that God had a plan for his life and he shouldn?t question that plan. He never dwelled on the bad things that were happening to him but always focused on a better tomorrow.
After over three years of battling the leukemia and the effects of the treatments, Tim went home to the Lord on November 9, 1992. Before he passed away he talked to his dad about a Tim Wolf Memorial Scholarship. His parents, Joe and Becky Wolf, had their assignment to start a scholarship at Scottsburg High School in memory of their precious son.
The Tim Wolf Memorial Scholarship Fund was established on September 9, 1993, by his family ? parents Joe and Becky, sister Shannon and brother Joe. During the first ten months following Tim?s death contributions poured in to total over $30,000, including a generous $10,000 contribution from the Westwood Golf Course and over $8,000 in proceeds from the first Tim Wolf Memorial Golf Tournament. The memorial golf tournament was held for 10 years as a fundraiser and the scholarship fund is now almost $200,000.
The first scholarship was awarded just two short years after Tim?s death ? what would have been his senior class. It was awarded to Andy Voyles, Timmy?s best friend. Andy graduated from Indiana University in May 1998 with a double concentration in business management and business operations with a minor in psychology. He worked for Ace Mortgage from January 2001 through September 2007, starting as a loan officer/mortgage broker and worked his way up to assistant vice president and senior vice president, where he was responsible for 30 nationwide offices and over 1,000 employees. He currently is running Elite Mortgage Services in Nashville, Tennessee, and hopes to grow the company similar to what he did at Ace Mortgage. He and his wife, Gretchen, have two daughters, Ella and Allisan.
?The scholarship money doesn?t mean as much to me as the significance of the scholarship as a whole,? said Andy. ?Being the first recipient of Tim?s scholarship is something I am very proud of. Tim was a ?perfect? individual in my opinion. Although only one man walked this earth that was truly perfect, Tim was a close second.?
?That said, it was important to me, and still is, to carry myself in the most compassionate, dignified, Christian-like, and professional manner possible,? said Andy.
Ryan Meyer received the Timothy Michael Wolf Memorial Scholarship in 1995 as a graduate of Scottsburg High School. He went on to attend Georgetown University?s School of Foreign Service. He currently works in New York City for Dai Nippon Printing, one of the 50 largest Japanese companies. He currently is in charge of its fastest growing and most profitable division, which manufactures acrylic films for use in automobile interiors.
?As a personal friend of Tim Wolf, the scholarship I received in his name meant more to me than any of the other awards, academic and athletic, that I received while a student at Scottsburg High School,? said Ryan. ?It set the tone for my college education, and helped me make the transition from high school to university with an open mind and an open heart.?
?(Tim) led by example, pushing me to do more, to explore more, and to take more out of life than I would have on my own. Seeing the example that Tim set during his time of sickness is an inspiration to me, and coupled with the fond memories of our friendship, he has left an indelible mark on me and his memory has helped me put seemingly difficult situations in my life into perspective,? said Ryan.
Gerald Rea was the 2000 recipient of the scholarship. He graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2004 with bachelor of science degrees in mechanical engineering and optical engineering. He is currently the CEO and Director of Special Projects for two companies in Scottsburg ? Job Orchard and Stray Light Optical Technologies. Job Orchard is an online networking and enrichment hub. Stray Light is an engineering and research design company. He is also earning master of science degrees in engineering management and optical engineering.
?The Wolf Scholarship was the largest award I received when graduating high school,? said Gerald. ?It made three major impacts. First, and obvious impact was that I was less in debt and was better able to afford my education at Rose-Hulman. The second thing it did was give me confidence, since it was a physical representation of my worth. The third, and least obvious impact, was the way it made me appreciate giving in a community and where true investments are made.?
Previous scholarship recipients also include Steve Warman, Brian Meents, Luke Starnes, Tiffany Hart, Travis Clegg, Jennifer Paden, Stephanie Lord, Jeffrey Winchester, Rorie Hudson, Torrie McClain, Kristen Deaton, Ryan Randall, Adam Gibson, Daniel Paden, Andrea Campbell, Jessica Morris, Allyson West, Taylor Houston, Josh James, Staci Campton and Mallory Koestel.
?Tim loved school and looked forward to his own college experience,? said his mom, Becky. ?Since that was not possible for him, I think he would be very happy to know that he has had a hand in helping so many others realize their dreams.?
The Tim Wolf Memorial Scholarship currently is worth $5,000 and is awarded annually to Scottsburg High School seniors.
