The David C. and Janice J. Francisco Endowed Fund pays tribute to a family whose Bronco pride stretches across generations and celebrates their lifelong commitment to education, faith and community.
David and Janice’s story began in Battle Creek, Michigan, where they first met in kindergarten. They married in 1954 and shared a deep passion for supporting education, the church and their community throughout their 68-year union. Janice (Gregerson) graduated in 1954 from Western Michigan College of Education, Department of Business Studies (now WMU’s Haworth College of Business). David attended what was then Western Michigan College of Education for one year before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard in 1951. David’s mother, Emma (Boughton) Francisco, graduated in 1924 from Western County Normal Training Class, a teacher training curriculum tailored for rural educators and offered by Western State Normal School (now Western Michigan University).
Janice was known for her love of children and her talent for putting a good book into the hands of a young reader. David is known for his long list of books read, willingness to always lend a hand and love for any football or basketball game. The couple nurtured a passion for learning in their children and grandchildren and were often spotted cheering on their Bronco grandson while sporting their WMU gear.
Established to honor the Francisco’s enduring commitment to WMU, the David C. and Janice J. Francisco Fund is a completion scholarship designed to help Broncos persevere and graduate. The scholarship supports Michigan residents enrolled in WMU’s Haworth College of Business or College of Education and Human Development. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and be classified as juniors or seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
The David C. and Janice J. Francisco Fund empowers students at Western to thrive, graduate and charge into a bright future.