Sherrilyn R. Wilson Languages Scholarship Fund

By Maura Teynor

(Photo: Richland County Foundation President Brady Groves and Sherrilyn Wilson.)

A teacher gave Sherrilyn Wilson the nudge she needed to find her career path.

“My high school Spanish teacher, Renee Zody, nominated me for a scholarship at The Ohio State University at Mansfield. That lead me to major in Spanish and to my career with the U.S. government as a Spanish linguist.”

“Before that, I never contemplated a career and thought I would be a secretary just like my mother,” said Sherrilyn.

She wants to return the favor and help other students.

To that end, Sherrilyn set up a scholarship fund for Richland County students. Primary preference will be given to those who major or minor in a foreign language and secondary preference will be given to those who major or minor in foreign affairs, international relations, or political science.

Sherrilyn said it is important to be bilingual and have a worldview. There are so many career options for a person who studies languages.

She is a graduate of Lexington High School and The Ohio State University. Her 33-year federal career included assignments with the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of State. She spent 12 of those years living and working in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and Panama.

Anyone can donate to the Sherrilyn R. Wilson Languages Scholarship Fund, click the donate button and select the fund from the drop-down box or write a check payable to the Richland County Foundation and note the fund on the memo line.