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Josselyn Terpenning is a future Tiger thanks to one of four full tuition waivers from Wittenberg. |
The big reveal for the episode featuring the Terpenning family took place Thursday, Aug. 6, at which time the family learned about Wittenberg's "extreme" gift, which exceeds $540,000 based on today's tuition rate. The gift also surprised the producers as it may be the largest educational gift in the show's seven-year history.
"When we read about the family, it became clear that James and Shannon have lived lives of compassion, selflessness and service," said President Mark H. Erickson. "These are the same values Witttenberg embraces in its own mission, so we knew we needed to help. It was the right thing to do."
Throughout his life, James Terpenning, a computer specialist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, U.S. Paralympics gold medalist and mentor to disabled Iraqi War veterans, has inspired countless students, friends, acquaintances and colleagues with his outreach efforts. Crippled by polio during infancy and rescued by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam during Operation Baby Lift in 1975, Terpenning was adopted by an Ohio family. He has since dedicated his life to giving back not only to the Air Force in his work, but also in his daily living.
No one knows the boundless strength of Terpenning's character and compassion better than his wife, Shannon, his adopted brother, Joseph, who has cerebral palsy, and their four children, who will now have the opportunity to receive an education from one of the top-ranked liberal arts schools in the nation.
"We are simply thrilled that we were able to offer this to the Terpenning family," said Karen Hunt, director of admission. "We look forward to getting to know the family and each child in the years ahead."
A designated military-friendly school with its participation in the Yellow Ribbon program (Read More), Wittenberg University is a nationally recognized college for the liberal arts and sciences affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. With more than 50 majors and programs, Wittenberg challenges students to become responsible global citizens, to discover their callings, and to lead personal, professional, and civic lives of creativity, service, compassion, and integrity.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is an Emmy award-winning reality program now entering its 7th season and produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It is executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.
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Written by: Karen Gerboth
Photos by: Erin Pence
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