When David Gundlach made a spontaneous pledge that became the Nicholas Spehar Memorial Scholarship, he was far from South Bend. At his home in Malibu, California, he was speaking to friends about a young Navy SEAL who had given his life in service. More than a decade later, that commitment echoes across the Holy Cross College campus—helping students like Christian Pletcher, Jack Stewart, and Isabela Oseguera pursue their education, carry forward a legacy of service, and dream about the difference they can make in the world.
Each year, Holy Cross College gathers to celebrate the life and legacy of Spehar at the annual Nicholas Spehar Memorial Scholarship Luncheon. This year’s event, held on October 8, in the Pfeil Center Board Room, welcomed scholarship recipients, staff, and representatives from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, whose partnership makes this scholarship possible.
The Nicholas Spehar Memorial Scholarship supports students whose lives have been shaped by military service and sacrifice. It is awarded to siblings, spouses, or children of those who have died in the line of duty, as well as veterans or children of active or retired military members.
The scholarship is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Gundlach, an Elkhart County native who passed away in 2011. In his estate, he left $150 million to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County to benefit the community, and a portion of that gift provided Holy Cross College with $2 million in 2013 to offer scholarships each year to students from U.S. military families. Since its founding in 2012, the scholarship has provided $1.2 million in support to 95 students, with 27 current scholars thriving on campus today.
President Marco J. Clark reflected on the courage and generosity that made the scholarship possible:
“One person with courage can be a majority. And if we look at the lives of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Jesus Christ, they are all examples of one person with courage who became a majority,” President Clark said. “And I think the same can be said of David Gundlach.”
He shared the origins of the scholarship, inspired by Spehar’s life and sacrifice:
Nicholas Spehar, a Naval Special Warfare SEAL Team Five member, was killed in combat in 2011 while serving his country. He was the brother of a former Holy Cross College student. Gundlach, a family friend, pledged to fund a scholarship to Holy Cross College in honor of his son.
Carrie Berghoff, Chief Development Officer of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, shared Gundlach’s vision and impact with the scholarship recipients.
“Each of you here today represents not only this tragic military loss but also the legacy of David Gundlach, whose generosity continues to impact our community for generations ahead,” Berghoff said. “The Foundation is honored to continue this partnership with Holy Cross in the years ahead.”
Students shared what the scholarship means in their own words. Christian Pletcher, a first-year psychology major, talked about his four years of service in the Marine Corps, in the Gaza Strip and Red Sea.
“This scholarship is special to me because it represents something that I’ve gone through, so it resonates with me deeply,” Pletcher said. “I’m very grateful for the donors, and it’s going to help me pursue grad school, not take so much out of my GI Bill and give back to my community as a civilian contractor at Camp Lajune.”
Isabela Oseguera said the scholarship allows her to remain at Holy Cross.
Jack Stewart, a junior business major, is the son of a veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm.
“Receiving the Nicholas Spehar Memorial Scholarship has had a tremendous impact on my education and experience at Holy Cross College,” Stewart said. “It has eased the financial burden of pursuing my degree, which allows me to focus on my studies and being involved in campus life. This award is more than financial support—it’s a reminder to work hard, live with purpose, and carry the values of service and dedication that Nicholas Spehar embodied.”