Ed & Naomi Wiens Music Faculty Fellow established at Tabor College

Ed & Naomi Wiens

The Ed & Naomi Wiens Faculty Fellow has been established as an endowed position for Tabor College Music.

This is Tabor’s fifth endowed position, representing the college’s dedication to supporting its faculty and recognizing donors and former professors for their gifts and service to the college. The first three fully endowed positions were unveiled in fall 2023. 

“We’re deeply grateful Ed and Naomi chose to support Tabor through their estate with this substantial gift toward our music department,” said President David Janzen, Ph.D. “Because of their generosity, we can further support our faculty, while opening additional funding for our students and campus operations.”

“We’re deeply grateful Ed (‘53) and Naomi (fs’54) chose to support Tabor through their estate with this substantial gift toward our music department,” said President David Janzen, Ph.D. “Because of their generosity, we can further support our faculty, while opening additional funding for our students and campus operations.”

The Endowed gifts are tiered as follows:

  • Faculty Fellow, $500,000-$1,000,000
  • Endowed Professor, $1,000,000-$2,000,000
  • Endowed Chair, $2,000,000 or more

As students, the Wiens sang in the choir under the leadership of Herbert C. Richert. Naomi played violin as a soloist and in ensembles in churches and with the Tabor choir. Ed sang in the men’s octet alongside his roommate and future choir director, Dr. Jonah Kliewer (g’55). Naomi taught her children beginning piano, and some the violin and taught private violin lessons to a few other students. 

Tabor College Endowed Positions

Allen Hiebert Chair of SciencesJames Titah, Ph.D.
Al & Dotty Warkentin Chair of Mathematical SciencesDaniel Creamer, Ph.D.
Marvin Sellberg Professor of Business Administration & EntrepreneurshipMelinda Rangel, Ed.D.
Clarence Hiebert Biblical Studies Faculty Fellow
Ed & Naomi Wiens Music Faculty Fellow

The Wiens celebrated 66 years of marriage. They are now home with the Lord, as Ed passed away on July 15, 2022, and Naomi on Oct. 9, 2024. 

Residents of Fresno, Calif., and attendees of Bethany Mennonite Brethren Church, Ed and Naomi frequently hosted Tabor presidents in their home when they visited the state. They visited campus through building campaigns, homecomings, and attended all graduations for their children and grandchildren who attended Tabor.

The Wiens’ children, Jonathan (g’82), Joel (g’82), Loren (fs’84), and Carolyn, said their parents often shared their appreciation and value of music, saying it exemplified the spirit of creativity and beauty God gave us. 

“They desired to leave a gift to develop musical talents at Tabor to bring glory to God in church and school ministries,” the family said. “We are honored that Tabor can use their contribution in establishing an endowment to ensure that a gifted faculty member can cultivate and enrich students’ musical abilities for greater service.”

Visit www.tabor.edu/endowments to learn more about Tabor’s endowed positions.