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The John and Virginia Summa Scholarship, celebrating a multi-generational Northwest legacy, providing financial assistance to business students and reflecting a family's commitment to education.
Rebecca Summa Sullivan, a Northwest Foundation Board member, recently created the John and Virginia Summa Scholarship honoring her parents, who met at Northwest in 1946 and built a life deeply connected to the University and Maryville.
Rebecca established an endowed scholarship, pledging $25,000 over five years to kickstart the fund. Once fully funded, a Northwest business student will be selected annually to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
"I wanted to dedicate this scholarship to my parents for their love of Northwest, their belief in education, and the sacrifices they made for their kids and grandkids to get a good education," Rebecca shared. "Having parents who prioritize their children's education is golden."
The Summa family's ties to Northwest span six generations. John and Virginia made Maryville their permanent home, especially when John's Air Force career took them to dangerous places. "Every time he got an overseas assignment, we'd move back to Maryville because that was home," Rebecca recalled.
Even as a young girl, Rebecca saw the value of education through her grandmother, Ida Summa, who brought Rebecca to her classes at Northwest.
Both John and Virginia later worked at Nodaway Valley Bank and were active in the Maryville community. They truly loved Maryville and Northwest, always considering it "home."
Rebecca herself attended Northwest and went on to a successful 45-year career in insurance, crediting her upbringing and Northwest for her success. She remains closely connected, joining the Northwest Foundation Board in 2023.
This scholarship is a wonderful way to honor their enduring legacy and help future Northwest business leaders.
To make a gift to support Northwest and its programs, contact the Northwest Foundation at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.
