When Helmut Roehrig announced his retirement, his wife, Evelyn, decided to do something special to commemorate his 20 years at Edgecliff and his 22 years at Xavier teaching in the department of music. Her idea: A scholarship in his name.

Her hopes sank, though, when she learned it takes $25,000 for a named scholarship.

Undaunted, she sent out letters to people in Cincinnati’s music community who knew her husband. Expecting to get about a third of the required funds, Evelyn was stunned when she learned of the response.

“Within five weeks of starting the drive, the full $25,000 had come in,” she says. “It was a phenomenal experience.”

Currently Roehrig’s scholarship fund sits at more than $30,000. It was kept a secret from him until the President’s Reception in May, when his retirement was celebrated.

“He helped nourish the music department and raise it from nothing to become a vital part of the University,” says Evelyn. “It’s a way of continuing his influence on students in the coming years.”