Terry and Nicki Haven Scholarship

Terry and Nicki Haven are good planners. In their early 60s they made the final arrangements for their earthly possessions and then promptly set about enjoying their retirement years together. They planned well, and now have the assurance that after their deaths, their estate will help countless students pursue their academic dreams.

The Havens have lived in their Ridgecrest, California, home for more than 35 years. Nicki had entered CLC as a freshman from Madera, graduating in 1970 as a biology major. She then earned her teaching credential through CLC’s CLIP program and taught school, both second and fourth grades, for 20 years. She kept in close contact with her CLC roommates and friends over the years. Terry had gone to U.C. Davis, where he had earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, but maintained no close ties with the school. After graduation, he became an advanced aircraft program manager, working as an engineer on the stealth fighter at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake.

Terry and Nicki retired early to care for ailing parents and to pursue their individual hobbies—model trains and quilting. Terry built a building separate from their house for his train’s village, and Nicki took over a large upstairs bedroom for her quilting projects. They enjoy sharing both hobbies with guests.

As they began to consider their estate plan, they knew that they wanted to help struggling and perhaps financially strapped students to attend college. Cal Lutheran was the natural choice, and they took the necessary steps with their attorney to make it happen. The award will be 50 percent of tuition and fees, and the criteria for receiving the Terry and Nicki Haven Scholarship will be fairly modest—students who are U.S. citizens with at least a 2.5 grade point average who have financial need. However, in order to receive the scholarship more than once, students must demonstrate academic improvement over their previous year of study. That requirement makes the Haven Scholarship unique.

CLU will receive the Havens’ bequest upon their deaths and it will be significant. Students who are fortunate enough to someday receive the Terry and Nicki Haven Scholarship can be grateful to the Havens for their hard work and thorough planning that will enable many students to benefit in the future.