Every year, the Licking County Foundation awards Tibbie Leslie Travel Grants to hardworking teachers in our community who are dedicated to enhancing their knowledge through travel. These grants not only honor passionate Licking County educators, but also stand as a lasting legacy to an inspirational educator of the past.

Elizabeth Randolph Leslie, also known as Tibbie, was born in Zanesville and raised in Newark. After graduating from Newark High School in 1950, Tibbie continued her education at Miami University. Upon graduating in 1954, Tibbie taught physical education at Withrow High School in Cincinnati for 30 years.

However, education was not her only passion. Tibbie had a strong case of wanderlust and traveled frequently. Every summer she returned to Newark to visit with her family and then spent the remainder of summer abroad, learning every step of the way. Tibbie traveled extensively with a group of fellow educators; exploring Europe, South America, China and Africa–to name just a few! A friend said, “She loved the scenery, loved the people and loved to barter…she liked to be part of the action.” Her learning experiences gained from traveling were so impactful that she decided to leave a legacy to help others see the world. When Tibbie passed away in 1995, the Tibbie Leslie Fund was established through a bequest in her will. The fund provides foreign travel grants to devoted teachers in Licking County, allowing them to travel outside of the United States to broaden their knowledge and understanding in their fields of interest. Since 1999, local teachers have taken 91 international trips, all thanks to Tibbie’s passion for travel, her generous foresight, and her strong desire to bring the world to generations of future Licking County students.