“A monument at my grave won’t mean anything to anyone. These scholarships are our memorials.”   Lola Lehman never had children of her own, but she’s sent thousands to college.  A humble woman who stays more active than many people half her age, Lehman’s commitment to education and careful planning proves that a little generosity can go a long way.
	Lola Lehman

At 97 years young, Lehman has experienced many things in her nearly century-long life.  The opportunity she’s most thankful for is an OSU education. 

Living in a one-room apartment and leaving twice for financial difficulties, Lola and Lottie Herd received degrees from Oklahoma A&M in the 1930s.  Their sister Leone also attended OSU.

“The older we got, the more determined our parents were to give us an education,” Lehman said.  “I didn’t go to college in very much style, but I got there!”

Thankful for their $150 scholarship, Lola and Lottie never forgot the generosity others shared along the way.  They each received bachelors and masters degrees, eventually retiring in their childhood hometown of Woodward, Okla.  Supporting the university that changed their lives, Lola and Lottie established scholarships through a planned gift to OSU. 

“My sisters and I all had better lives because of our OSU educations,” Lehman said.  “I think back to the $150 we needed so desperately and how much it helped us to stay at OSU.  I hope these scholarships help students in the same way.” 

Without responsibilities to children of their own, the sisters wanted to ensure their estates benefited deserving young people.  Since establishing the endowments in 1974, Lola and Lottie have helped thousands of OSU students obtain a higher education degree.

For more than 30 years, the Lehmans have provided substantial support to the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the College of Education and the Edmon Low Library.

Humble about her gifts, Lola encourages others to prepare for the future and establish gifts that benefit college students.  Lola’s first donation over 30 years ago created a legacy that will inspire current and future OSU students. 

“Lots of students have ambitions, but feel like they can’t afford to pursue their dreams,” Lehman said.  “Lottie and I were just doing our part to help students the way others helped us.”

Lottie and Leone recently passed away.  Lola lives in Woodward, where she enjoys watching OSU football games. 

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