One Family’s Commitment to Community and Education

Lewis and Neva Mason Scholarship Fund

Family, community, and education were important to Neva and Lewis Mason. Their decision to establish a college scholarship program to benefit Triton High School seniors reflects their passion. Neva graduated from Bourbon High School in 1945 and Lewis from Etna Green High School in 1943. And seventy years later, the family connection continues to be strong. Neva and Lew’s three children and seven of their nine grandchildren have either graduated or are currently attending Triton High School.

Higher education has always been a priority for Neva and Lew. The G.I. bill provided the funding for Lew to attend his beloved Indiana University. Neva (Miller) worked at the First State Bank in Bourbon to finance her years at Manchester College, another Indiana school. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed their college years and treasured the strong friendships made there. Lew and Neva met and worked together at the First State Bank in Bourbon, Indiana. In 1960 Lew represented the second generation of Masons to assume top leadership in the bank following in the footsteps of his father, Ralph.

For Lew and Neva, bringing these elements of family, community, and education together to strengthen Marshall County residents was a natural fit. The Masons felt very blessed by their community and started the Lewis and Neva Mason Scholarship Fund to give back. As Neva said, “We just felt that if a Triton student had the desire and ability to attend college but could use some financial help, our scholarship could offer that help.”