Central College has announced the creation of the John R. Bylsma Scholarship, an endowed fund supporting students who demonstrate high academic achievement.

The new scholarship was created by the estate of its namesake following his passing in 2024. Bylsma, who graduated from Central in 1959, followed in the footsteps of multiple family members that attended Central. His mother Jennie graduated from the college in 1929, and her sisters Henrietta Gosselink and Dorothy Poppen attended Central before graduating in 1925 and 1930. John’s sister, Betty Bylsma De Boer, also graduated from Central in 1962.
As a lifelong learner, Bylsma earned his degree in philosophy from Central before attending seminary for a year and later completing his master’s and doctoral degrees in history at the University of Iowa. His Ph.D. focused on English parliamentary history. While studying at Iowa, he met his future wife, Paula Ann Dupree, who also earned a master’s in history.

Together, John and Paula helped start a Habitat for Humanity chapter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and were dedicated members of the prison ministry through their church. Professionally, Bylsma dedicated more than 31 years to Augustana University in Sioux Falls as a history professor and administrator, serving as assistant academic dean and registrar. He also led a popular off-campus January-term program to London, Paris, and Amsterdam, focusing on the architecture of European cities.