Gardner, Prudence E. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Donor Fund Story:

This scholarship fund is in loving memory of Prudence E. Gardner, affectionately called Prudy. One of Prudy’s missions in life was to help her students achieve their individual potential with the resources available to them, education being foremost. Therefore, the mission of this fund is to help students with their continued educational endeavors.

Prudy was the second daughter of Pat and Gerald McLallin; she was survived by her sisters Penny, Paula, Pia, and Peggy and her brother Michael. She was born and raised in Ligonier, Indiana. She graduated from Cromwell High School in 1964. After high school, she enrolled at Ball State University and received a bachelor’s degree in 1968. She then began her career in teaching. In 1969, she married Ned Gardner and they had two children, Derek and Annette. In 1979, she returned to Ligonier to raise her family.

Upon returning to Ligonier she took a position at West Noble Middle School and taught the Title I program. She was a very well respected teacher and friend to her students and colleagues. She inspired all that were around her by her dedication and exceptional work ethic.

She worked hard to improve curriculum and lesson plans with the objective of eliminating her student’s learning deficits. If students needed extra help, she would provide tutoring after class. Her day frequently ran into the evening hours working on lesson plans and grading papers. She would create custom games, activities, and bulletins to inspire her students to learn. She also taught summer school, coached girls’ tennis for six years, was a cheerleading sponsor, and volunteered at other school activities. Needless to say, Prudy went above and beyond in her duties as an educator. That is just who she was.

Unfortunately, for all who loved her, her life and career were cut short by a long battle with cancer in 1999. Her legacy and impact on all who knew her will forever be remembered and cherished. The recipient of the Prudence Gardner Memorial Fund should be a special individual who would have appreciated the type of person Prudy inspired us all to be. They may have been individually inspired by a teacher, mentor, or special person in their own life.