Goshen College Announces Scholarship in Honor of Becky Felton

Scholarship to benefit Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies students

GOSHEN, Ind. – Becky Felton, Goshen College class of ’76 and a member of Perkasie congregation, was a champion of peace and justice. Even when faced with a terminal illness, she confronted it knowing that she was at peace with God and with others.

Before Becky passed away in November 2012, she and her husband, Jon, had the gift of time to talk about the organizations that were dear to her and where she would like their family support to go upon her death. There were many places where she had worked and volunteered that shared Becky’s vision of working toward a good and just world, and many of those places received memorials in Becky’s name.

But it was Goshen College that held a very special place in her heart. It is there that she went as a young woman from Yoder, Kansas, to begin her journey as a servant of the church. With a degree in religion, she went into the world to advocate and serve as a voice for the marginalized and those in need. She looked to the college as the foundation and catalyst that ignited her passion for peace and social justice.

Jon, with and their children Cody ’09 and Torey, have established the Rebecca Beachy Felton Peace and Social Justice Scholarship as a loving tribute to Becky and her life passions. This endowed scholarship will benefit Goshen College students pursuing a major or minor in Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies, a legacy that will nurture future champions of peace and justice.

“The way Becky wove her passion for peace into her church, family and community commitments represents a way of life that we hope will characterize all our PJCS graduates, so we’re very grateful that the Felton family has chosen to honor Becky’s memory with a scholarship,” said Joe Liechty, Professor and Department Chair, Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, Goshen College.

Becky was a persistent advocate for peace and justice in her congregation as well as in her community and with the joint Peace & Justice Committee of Franconia and Eastern District Conferences. Wayne Nitzsche, her pastor, described Becky as a congregational peacemaker in many ways. “Perkasie has a worship ritual of lighting a peace lamp as we recite our pledge to be peacemakers. Becky urged us to consider and pray for peace locally and globally,” he said. “But most importantly, Becky modeled the way of Jesus in her relationships in the congregation and beyond.”

Those who knew her well describe Becky as an advocate of peace and justice, at peace with God and at peace with others. Becky served the Peace & Justice Committee as secretary, financial secretary, and registrar for the annual Winter Peace Retreat. Because of her broad understanding of current peace and social justice issues and her character, however, these roles don’t adequately describe her presence and her leadership, both in her congregation and with those on the Peace & Justice Committee. She was aware, compassionate and proactive.

Becky was honored on the day of her funeral by the Franconia and Eastern District Conferences as the recipient of the 2012 Peace Mug Award, recognizing her life-long commitment to peace and justice. Her memory and passions will live on to impact the world through this scholarship.

If you are interested in remembering Becky with a gift to this scholarship, contributions can be sent to:  The Rebecca Beachy Felton Peace and Social Justice Scholarship, Goshen College, 1700 South Main Street, Goshen, IN  46526, or online at www.goshen.edu/give and follow the links, designating the scholarship name in the comments section.

Becky also left a generous financial gift to Mennonite Central Committee to pursue peace and justice through the work of relief, development and peacebuilding. Donations in her honor can be made via mail to Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12^th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500 or over the phone at 1-888-563-4676.  Please note this gift is in memory of Becky Felton.