Memorial scholarship honors Emma F. Wyche

MADISON, FL - The Emma F. Wyche Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 to honor the memory of Emma F. Wyche (1932-2019), recognizing her long-history of service in the community and to education.

Emma Jean Folsom Wyche was the first daughter of Vernon Massey and Jessie Ruth Pate Folsom, was born in Monticello, Florida on March 3, 1932.

A graduate of Madison High School (1950) and Florida State University (1954), Emma was a business education teacher at Quincy High School. She later worked as a staff member at the Florida Department of Education. Her most valued position was as Business Manager at the then North Florida Junior College and then later North Florida Community College in Madison, Florida. Her career at NFJC started in 1951 as a member of the planning committee charged with organizing the opening of the college. She then was one of the first employees when she was named Assistant to the President.

In 1958, Emma married the love of her life, Waring “Buddy” Wyche, Jr. This union included a son, Waring “Dub” Wyche, III and later welcomed the addition of Vernon Folsom Wyche. Their two sons gave Emma two beautiful families. Dub’s family includes Lynn, sons Joshua Waring (Katie) and George Kaleb, and granddaughters Harper Emma and Este Marigold. Folsom’s family includes Robbin, and daughters Jessie Magnolia and Lily Maze.

In addition to Emma’s care for her family and devotion to work, she was an accomplished gardener. Emma took great pride in her beautiful outdoor flowers and her indoor plants; especially her violets. Emma was fond of traveling and took many trips in the United States and abroad with her sister Anne and her friend Phyllis as well as other traveling companions. Although she graduated from FSU, she was an avid University of Florida Gator fan and attended over 50 seasons of Gator football games.

Emma placed a high value on education and was pleased to attend many of her family member’s graduations.

In 2017 as NFC prepared to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Emma recalled the atmosphere surrounding early construction and growth on campus. “The first students were all excited. Everybody was excited. It was lots of fun. The community jumped right in and helped us.” Wyche retired in 1997 after nearly 40 years at the College. “It has been fascinating to see how it began and where NFCC is now.”

For more information about the Emma F. Wyche Memorial Scholarship or other scholarships available through the NFC Foundation, call 850-973-9414 or email Foundation@nfc.edu.

###