Haymaker Histories: Highlighting Louis Schippers, Class of ’60

Recently, many Phillipians shared their stories with us as part of the PU Oral History Project. The following is one of these special stories from Louis Schippers, a 1960 graduate.

One of the highlights of my time at Phillips was meeting my future wife, Patsy. As a junior, I was part of a fraternity group that took it upon themselves to welcome the incoming freshmen women to their residence hall and help them move in. That’s where I first laid eyes on Patsy, and I knew I had to find a way to get to know her better. I accomplished that, and a couple of years later, we decided to marry and work together in ministry and education. The rest, as they say, is history.

Three children and nine grandchildren later, Patsy and I celebrated our 64th wedding anniversary in 2024. I can confidently say that my time at Phillips University was truly formative. As a young man from a family with limited means, the education and opportunities I received there set me up for success in the years to come. I went on to earn my Masters of Divinity and Ph.D. in psychology. I eventually chose teaching in the psychology department of a university as my main profession. This fulfilled my passion for education and service. It was at Phillips that I discovered my love for learning and my drive to make a positive impact in the world, and for that, I will always be grateful.