Alumna establishes Nashner Endowment Fund on WPU’s Day of Giving

The Courageous Giving campaign is a campus-wide fundraising initiative at William Peace University (WPU). Launched in 2022, donors like Emma Nashner ’69 make the decision to support this initiative by making a courageous commitment that provides our students with the resources they need to learn through immersive experiences, build upon their courage and develop the confidence needed to turn their passion into purpose. These major gifts will shape both the future of our University and our students. The Courageous Giving campaign is a campus-wide fundraising initiative at William Peace University

WPU is excited to announce the Nashner Endowment Fund, thanks to Alumna Emma Nashner ’69. 

The Nashner Endowment Fund will support University operations and students with her fund, being used by University leadership to meet operational priorities. 

Her gift can be used to provide the campus community in a number of ways — from supporting campus student groups and organizations, our faculty and staff, immersive learning, academics, campus facilities, and overall university growth.

“I give because I know that gifts like mine strengthen and support the University,“ Nashner said. “Since I graduated, I have seen Peace grow tremendously and my fund conveys the confidence I have in the institution.”

This gift was committed on WPU’s Day of Giving, helping the University to raise more than $125,000. Held on February 23, Day of Giving celebrates the power of giving back and the impact that giving has on our campus community for generations to come. 

Nashner hopes her courageous commitment on Day of Giving encourages others to give. 

“Her gift demonstrates her trust in the University to provide for its campus and its students,” said Paul Scherschel, Interim Vice President of Advancement. “We are so grateful to receive her support — it brings the community together and inspired all of campus on Day of Giving.”

Nashner and her family have long supported the University. She has family ties to the school going back centuries. She is related to both John Burwell, Peace Institute’s Associate President from 1872-90, and Mrs. Mary Rice Lacy, the Lady Principal of Peace Institute from 1880-1881. 

A native of Front Royal, Virginia, she first attended what was then Peace College in 1968 for an Associate of Arts. She had many memorable moments at Peace. 

She recalls bonding with her classmates numerous times on Main’s balconies. She also remembers how each spring she and her friends would line the field in the back of the campus to tan before spring break.

After Peace, Nashner earned a degree in education at Lynchburg College in Virginia. There, she met her husband, Richard. He passed away in January 2022. 

Emma now lives in Pennsylvania. 

If you are interested in joining Nashner in courageously supporting students, please visit www.peace.edu/give.