Brevard College Alumnus Honors Mother’s Passion for Education on Behalf of Family

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Brevard College announces the establishment of The Zillioux Family Endowed Scholarship, which honors the sacrifice Martha M. Zillioux made with her own education to help her hometown and country in the 1940s. The scholarship was created and fully funded by Brevard College alumnus and current Alumni Advisory Board member, Jon Zillioux `83 and his wife Susan Zillioux `83 of Brevard, NC. The scholarship will support a student seeking to complete a major or minor in Music, Music Education, English, or Philosophy and Religion.

Jon has been blessed with parents who double as role models, Donald G. Zillioux and Martha M. Zillioux, who both centered their lives on active engagement and community. Donald, who served in the European theater during WWII was a businessman, and Martha, who withdrew from college to answer her hometown’s call to return to help relieve a shortage of teachers due to the war effort. Martha continued her service after becoming an empty nester as a founding volunteer at Sharing House in Transylvania County, NC, serving for 25 years. She also helped found the county’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and served as a volunteer at Hospice, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Martha’s sacrifice of her own education to serve the country during the war, and subsequently to teach the next generation, are prime examples of her commitment to helping those in need. The creation of The Zillioux Family Endowed Scholarship honors Martha and her focus on education for her 96th birthday. This scholarship will help deserving students earn their college degree in honor of Martha’s life-long service to education.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities at Brevard College, contact Director of Development, Jeff Joyce at 828.641.0170.