Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Jody Paine believed education could transform lives—and that parents pursuing a better
future should not have to choose between college and quality care for their children.
That belief inspired Jody to establish the Polly’s Kids Scholarship at Harper College. The scholarship helps student parents cover the cost of their children attending Harper’s Laboratory Preschool, easing one of the most significant barriers facing students who are balancing coursework, employment and family responsibilities.
Jody named the scholarship for her great-aunt, Olive “Polly” Paine, a pioneering educator whose life reflected both intellectual achievement and devotion to children. Polly earned degrees from the University of Chicago, Columbia University and Yale University, taught across the country and helped develop teacher education programs. When her sister died leaving young children, Polly also stepped forward to care for and guide her nieces and nephews.
Through Polly’s Kids, Jody transformed that family legacy into opportunity for a new generation. One recipient shared that donor support gave her greater confidence as a single mother and helped her envision a better future through education.
When Jody passed away in October 2025, her generosity continued. By naming the Polly’s Kids Scholarship as a beneficiary of her IRA, she took a simple but powerful step to ensure the fund she cherished would support Harper families in perpetuity.
Jody’s gift honors two remarkable women: Aunt Polly, who devoted her life to education and children, and Jody herself, whose compassion opened doors for student parents. Together, their legacies will live on each time a parent remains in school, a child receives nurturing care and a family moves closer to a brighter future.