Gifts and Gratitude
A Friendship That Became a Forever Gift
The year is 1956. The "baby boom" era is in full swing, Elvis Presley is exploding in popularity, Cold War fears are a part of daily life, and Bryce Collier arrives at Ohio Wesleyan from Rocky River, Ohio. Amid cultural shifts and national uncertainty, Bryce stepped onto the OWU campus ready to shape his own life.
Bryce excelled academically and was active on campus as a member of Delta Tau Delta, Psi Chi, the Men's Glee Club, Circle K, and numerous other organizations. He was the business manager of LeBijou and the student body president. "Bryce was a model student," recalls fraternity brother Bruce Alton '61. "He built the foundations of his career based on the opportunities OWU provides."
After Bryce graduated in 1960, he enrolled at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he earned a reputation for academic excellence and as a caring physician. Bryce and his wife, Caren, also a graduate of the medical college, were selected as interns at Yale New Haven Hospital. Tragically, Bryce passed away in an accident two weeks after graduating from medical college.
Bryce's passing left an indelible impact on Bruce's life. However, he became busy with his own career in higher education, including serving as assistant dean of men at OWU at the invitation of Ron Stead, and as president of Rocky Mountain College. He continued his career as a consultant at Presidential Search Consultation Service, co-founded by former OWU president Elden Smith, and later at Academic Search. Through the years, Bruce didn't forget about his friend, and he became determined to preserve Bryce's legacy.
In 2016, Bruce and his wife, Christie Lichliter Alton '62, established The Bryce A. Collier, M.D., Endowed Scholarship Fund. Soon, Bryce's brother, Mark Collier, Ph.D., and his wife, Martha, also invested in the scholarship, which is awarded to "students majoring in premed who best exemplify the characteristics of leadership and human decency so perfectly represented by Bryce Collier's life."
"The scholarship is a way that I could ensure that Bryce's legacy lives forever," Bruce says. "Several other Delta Tau Delta brothers have also contributed." Though only partly funded, the remaining scholarship will be underwritten by several future estate gifts. The scholarship has already underwritten the tuition of six students, two of whom have completed medical school.
"I grew up in a single-parent family, and the Collier scholarship has significantly helped my family pay for my undergraduate education, which will enable me to pursue further education," says Luke Przybys '26. "After attending OWU, I plan to attend medical school and join the Navy through their HPSP scholarship, which will cover my full tuition."
Empowering students like Luke to pursue their dreams is exactly what Bruce hoped the Collier Scholarship would achieve. "Even through the pain of Bryce's death, it is a comfort to know his legacy will continue," says Bruce. "In a sense, he will live forever."