Harper College is closed on Friday, April 18, for Reading Day.
Attorney Jackie LeFevre created the Troy E. Larson Endowed Memorial Scholarship in memory of her first husband. As an elementary student Troy was diagnosed with mild dyslexia, but his mother encouraged his interest in reading. He joined the Boy Scouts as a Cub and earned an Eagle Scout distinction and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. Troy began his educational journey at a community college and went on to earn a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Northern Illinois University (NIU), where he and Jackie met. Sadly, Troy passed away after a battle with cancer in 2004.
In 2017, as Troy’s 50th birthday approached, Jackie wanted to find a way to honor Troy. A friend suggested creating an endowed scholarship that would help Harper students for generations. Since its inception, the scholarship has supported twelve students. Jackie shares, “Helping other achieve their own success and happiness is the best way to honor Troy’s life.”
Two years ago, Jackie created a second scholarship: the Jackie LeFevre Endowed Scholarship to support students at Harper who have financial need and have been involved with community service. Jackie is committed to community service, having been a Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol as a teenager, and now as volunteer manager with the Civil Air Patrol’s Illinois Wing Glider Program. Jackie took supplemental summer classes at Harper College while attending NIU. The first two recipients of the Jackie LeFevre Endowed Scholarship were awarded during Jackie’s 50th birthday year.
On June 24, 2023, on what would have been Troy’s 55th birthday, Jackie gathered with family and friends to pay homage to Troy and to dedicate classroom Z102 in Troy’s honor. Z102 is often used by Harper’s engineering program as well as community groups. A former recipient of Troy’s scholarship sent a note to Jackie when he found out about the event,
“Z102 meant a lot to me personally. I have heard and been inspired by many great people who came to talk to us from the Engineering Pathways program in that room! It delights me very much that the hall is now being dedicated to Mr. Larson because it's only fitting to be dedicated to someone so inspiring!”
Jackie is now in the process of creating her third scholarship, an endowed scholarship to honor her current husband, Patrick Bolliger, in honor of his upcoming 60th birthday.