The Jo Enger Arthur Scholarship for Study Abroad encompasses a love of history, Europe and European language, and international studies, along with a strong passion for travel. This scholarship commemorates Jo Arthur, her life, legacy, and love of family and learning, especially about other people and their cultures.

Jo was born in Mount Healthy, Ohio in 1929 and died in Sylvania at the age of 90. She enrolled at Bowling Green State University in 1947, where she met and later married a World War II Navy veteran, Printy Arthur, who was also a BGSU student, majoring in vocal music. Printy and Jo would go on to have a large family and five children, but Jo would eventually return to education, to finish her studies. At the age of 56, she would earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with honors from the University of South Florida.

Jo’s passion for learning extended beyond the classroom as she and Printy embarked on journeys into diverse cultures and landscapes. During their 70 years of marriage they traveled to all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Hong Kong. Jo and Printy would be drawn back numerous times to the British Isles and her beloved Yorkshire, where she adored hiking through the Moors and along Hadrian’s wall. Her curiosity was boundless leading her to study yoga, judo and fencing. Jo strived to live the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, Ever Give Up”.

She was also an avid reader and was significantly influenced by many titles including James Herriot’s “All Creatures Great and Small,” Josephine Tey’s “The Daughter of Time,” Edward Rutherford’s “Sarum,” Helene Hanff’s “84, Charing Cross Road,” Markus Zusak’s “The Book Thief,” and “Beyond Basketball, Coach K’s Keywords For Success” by Mike Krzyzewski and Jamie K. Spatola.

The connection that Jo and her family have with BGSU is a strong one. Printy graduated in 1950 in Vocal Music, and lived afterwards in closeby Perrysburg, where they would raise their family. Printy worked in the University Development Office then during the Presidency of Dr. William Jerome. Many of their children and gradchildren would also end up becoming alumni Falcons.

The Jo Enger Arthur’s scholarship seeks to empower future scholars who exhibit Jo’s love of people, curiosity and the pursuit of international experiences, honoring her legacy for future generations.