Conference in Middlebury, Vermont, Indiana, to Support Former Amish Students Pursuing Higher Education

The Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund (ADSF) will host a conference titled “Plain Roots: Community, Story, and Support for Higher Education” at the Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center in Middlebury. The event is scheduled for June 26 and 27.

InkFreeNews reported that the conference will bring together formerly Amish students, graduates and professionals. GoshenNews described the event as open to formerly Amish individuals and to those from other Plain Anabaptist backgrounds who are pursuing higher education.

According to InkFreeNews, many Amish young people who seek more education must earn a GED to replace high school education they missed, and they face the challenge of paying for college without family support. Students who lack that help are seeking community among peers, a picture of welcoming the stranger (Matthew 25:35).

InkFreeNews reported that ADSF co-founder Emma Miller struggled during university, where she repeatedly searched for Amish scholarship funds and found that none existed. Vice chair Saloma Miller Furlong attended Smith College after longing to return to school following eighth grade.

The program includes several presentations. Rose Fisher, an associate professor at Michigan State University, will present linguistic research on Pennsylvania Dutch dialects. Board member Eythana Miller will present “Heritage in Translation,” an oral history project of 35 community members from Libby, Montana. InkFreeNews reported that the project is conducted in Pennsylvania Dutch with English subtitles.

GoshenNews reported that the conference aims to help people from Plain communities navigate the cultural and educational differences between their upbringing and the academic world. The article said the ADSF seeks to provide resources and community support for those pursuing higher education. It described the event as reflecting a growing effort within some Anabaptist communities to support educational aspirations while maintaining cultural identity.

GoshenNews also reported that the conference serves as a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for integrating academic pursuits with faith-based principles.