Daniel and Edith Kauffman Scholarship Fund

Edith Kauffman grew wildflowers as a hobby. “When I look at the flowers growing by themselves, I’m made to think of the potential of the individual,” she said.

The daughter of a farmer-auctioneer, Edith was born in Iowa. Although her family lived mostly in town, her happiest days were those spent on the farm. It was here she developed her love for flowers, trees and streams.

Daniel Kauffman also spent his childhood years on a farm. “One of my childhood ambitions was to be a business man.” “Not just an ordinary business man, an executive with the Ford or John Deere company.”

Edith’s love for nature was a major influence in her life. While Dan never did become a corporate executive, his career in business administration and Christian stewardship made major contributions to the Mennonite church.

A 1944 graduate of Goshen College and a 1957 graduate of Columbia University, Daniel Kauffman served as business manager of Hesston College from 1946 to 1961. From 1961 to 1966, he was director of stewardship for the Mennonite Church. From 1966 to 1971, he was an administrator in the Pennsylvania school system. He came to Goshen College in 1971 as director of college relations, where he served until his retirement in 1986.

Edith graduated from Hesston College qualifying in elementary education. She taught school for nine years in Iowa, Kansas and Pennsylvania.

In 1971, Edith was diagnosed as having hypoglycemia. In 1982, she developed cancer. Through these two critical diseases she developed an intense interest in nutrition and the importance of maintaining a good body chemistry to keep healthy. She began to read about nutritional therapy, and she followed a regime of diet and exercise. The interest generated by her own personal experience with nutritional therapy extends to the fields of ecology and nutritional education. Her study led her to write a regular nutrition column in several papers. The Kauffmans felt strongly that young people should be encouraged to study and be knowledgeable in these fields.

“I’ve always had a very deep conviction that if we want to help ‘people we need to begin with youth,” says Dan. It was the hope of the Kauffman’s that this scholarship will help pave the way for many students to prepare for their careers. This contribution to the fulfillment of individual potential is similar to what Edith saw in a garden of wild flowers.