Jean Zoeller Reas Scholarship Fund

The Jean Zoeller Reas Scholarship Fund, created by Jean Reas in 2017, provides annual support for organizations which have been significant in Jean’s early life—St. Mary Parish and Calvert High School in Tiffin, Ohio, as well as St. Ursula Academy in Toledo.

Tiffin’s St. Mary Parish is Jean’s childhood home parish, of which she has many fond memories. Likewise, Calvert High School is her alma mater from which, she says, she recieved an excellent high school education. Jean served five years as the principal of St. Ursula Academy, an all-girls prep school.

“The main focus at St. Ursula is to support young women to become leaders in today’s society,” said Jean. “Woman power is very important to me.”

Jean moved to Marion in 1987 to become principal of George Washington Elementary, a position she held for 10 years. She married Dr. Herman Reas, a pediatrician and family practitioner at Smith Clinic, in 1990 and enjoyed a brief four years together before he succumbed to cancer.

Her intentions for this fund mirror her career interests. She is a supporter of Catholic education and women in leadership roles. A familiar face at the Harding Symposium, she is a vocal supporter of Marion, Ohio, and its history and is greatly looking forward to the new Harding Presidential Center.