Pamela Rensch Memorial Scholarship

Mental illness is an insidious thief of joy from life. Only those with great faith can testify to the love of God after watching a child suffer from a disease as devastating as schizophrenia. David and Joan Rensch were such parents.

Their daughter Pamela was an amazing child and young woman. Everyone who knew her felt that she has been given a special gift by God—the ability to win over the hearts of everyone she met, whether they were young or old, relatives, neighbors, teachers, students, physicians, psychologists or pastors. Even animals loved her. Her loving spirit and outgoing personality were infectious. That made it even harder to witness the painful struggle she endured as a young adult.

Joan Rensch had worked at CLU for many years as executive secretary to the Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Charles Maxey, so it was only natural that Pam, after graduating from La Reina High School, enrolled at Cal Lutheran, graduating in 1993. Then, because of her love for people and for children in particular, Pam decided to become a teacher. She subsequently pursued her teaching credential. It was during her senior year at CLU that mental illness first made itself felt. Her battle with the illness continued for five years. She realized she could not fight the battle alone and, with her family’s support, she sought professional help.

There were many adjustments of treatment and medication, each met with hope that a solution could be found. But in 1998, at the age of 27, Pam passed away at home. In reflecting on Pam’s life her parents and sister Teresa said that they believed God’s love had sent angels to help their beloved Pam. Pam and her family never lost faith in the presence of God in their lives.

In creating the Pamela Rensch Memorial Scholarship David and Joan Rensch honored Pam’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a teacher and nurturer of children. The scholarship, designated for a senior majoring in liberal studies, was first awarded in 1998, and it continues to be awarded annually. In their estate plan, Joan and David arranged for the permanent endowment of this scholarship in memory of their beloved daughter.