At Temple University, the legacy of Joshua Winheld, KLN '00, CLA '10, lives on as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path for other Owls facing physical obstacles. Through the Winheld-Newcombe Scholarship established by Joshua's aunt and uncle, Steven Goldstein, CLA '76, and Sue Gordon, his story becomes a symbol of hope and opportunity for those who dare to dream despite adversity.
Born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition that posed significant physical challenges, Joshua Winheld, KLN '00, CLA '10, triumphed over adversity at every turn. From navigating the complexities of everyday life to pursuing his dreams and passions, Joshua left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him and a lasting legacy to those who aim to follow his remarkable path.
Josh never let his physical limitations deter him and lived a full, multifaceted life he created for himself. Despite having to organize transportation, aids and special equipment to get around, Josh loved going out, meeting people, attending sporting events and pursuing hobbies and academic degrees. Josh also enjoyed politics, went on to gain two Temple University degrees and write a book, Worth the Ride, before he passed in 2009. His academic achievements, coupled with his indomitable spirit and passion for life, inspired Steve Goldstein, CLA '76, and Sue Gordon, Joshua's uncle and aunt, to honor his memory.
"He always knew that he wouldn't have a long life, yet he lived every day as if he were, continuously engaging and inspiring others," said Sue. "He made a difference in people's lives and deserved to be remembered for that."
Fueled by their deep admiration for Joshua's courage and resilience, they envisioned a scholarship that would offer a lifeline to students facing similar physical obstacles. Their journey started at the Office of Disability Services at Temple University, where they were connected with the Newcombe Foundation. This foundation held a shared commitment to students with disabilities in honor of Charlotte W. Newcombe, a philanthropist dedicated to empowering others through education despite her own challenges due to impaired vision.
During the initial visit, the Newcombe Foundation director revealed a serendipitous surprise: a thank you note Josh had written to the organization for a grant for a computer. "The partnership seemed meant to be," said Sue tearfully.
"At Temple, I learned how to learn, which is another way of saying I developed the tools to be a skilled problem solver," he adds. "Temple also teaches humility, but with a toughness that says, 'I can do whatever I put my mind to and will work to overcome whatever obstacles are in the way.'"
Their vision for the scholarship was to assist students facing financial barriers due to physical disabilities, ensuring they have the necessary resources to pursue their educational dreams. This includes special equipment and technology, transportation and resources and even professional clothing for interviews and internships. "When we saw how many obstacles Josh faced just to do what the average college student did, we wanted to find any way possible to make it just a bit easier," said Steve.
Their vision became a reality with the establishment of the Winheld-Newcombe Scholarship Fund in 2010, which continues to forge a path of hope and opportunity for students with disabilities and touch the lives of many who dare to dream in the face of adversity. Steve and Sue are also amazing proponents of Temple's mission.
"Temple allows students who can't afford to go away to college to have an amazing education and a big city university experience," said Steve. Anyone can get a degree there if they put in the work, and Josh's fund just helps continue that mission in a small way."
As the Winheld-Newcombe Scholarship Fund continues to grow, Steve and Sue remain steadfast in their commitment to the fund's mission and their late nephew's legacy. They aim to increase the fund enough to support every student who applies and empower those with disabilities with the knowledge that they can get an education and the accommodation they need to thrive because people care.
"Some students hesitated to apply, thinking, 'there can't be anything out there for me,'" said Steve. "But when they received the scholarship, many had the same reaction—'I finally won something!' It brought a tear to my eye to know that people like Josh work so hard and feel that no one will help."
As Steve and Sue continue to champion educational equity, they invite others to join them in their mission. Every donation, no matter how small, has the power to create opportunities and transform lives. Together, we can honor the legacies of Joshua Winheld and Charlotte Newcombe, empowering future generations to reach for the stars and overcome obstacles with their same courage and resilience.
Temple University emphasizes the transformative power of scholarships through ambitious fundraising initiatives like Made for More. This three-year scholarship initiative is rooted in the underlying belief that Temple students are the trailblazing leaders of tomorrow and aims to raise $125 million in support of students with the help of generous alumni and donors like Steven Goldstein and Sue Gordon.