New Scholarship For Wood Science Technology Students
Announcing the Edward G. and Marquita L. Rothe Endowed Scholarship Fund
Pursuing a career in Wood Science Technology just got a lot easier thanks to a new endowed scholarship fund for the Kirtland Community College Michigan Forest Products Institute.
Our donors, Ed, Elaine and Darby Harris were inspired to award $20,000 to the Kirtland community Foundation because of their love of the great northern Michigan outdoors and a passion for renewable resources. The scholarship honors Ed’s parents while giving more students an opportunity to further their education.
“Our goal is to see more students get the skills and training to prepare them for careers that
will strengthen them, their families and the communities they live in. Businesses need well trained students and Kirtland is well positioned to provide them with the high-quality
workforce they need.”
~ Ed Harris.
A family line of servant leaders in conservation makes the story behind this scholarship special
Edward George Rothe, Ed’s stepfather inspired this scholarship with his strong passion for fishing, hunting, trapping, cutting and tapping maple trees and love of life’s simple pleasures: wood carving, painting, reading and collecting books. Born in the Fall of 1914, Edward spent his youth moving around the midwest working at the family grist mill and later joined the CCC logging camps in L’Anse and Barago in Michigan’s upper peninsula.
At age 28, Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country with distinction as a recipient of the Bronze Star, three battle stars, four campaign ribbons. In 1997, at the age of 83, he was awarded the Jubilee medal for the liberation of Normandy.
After his service, Edward worked for Alaska for Arctic Contractors helping to construct the Defense Early Warning System, serving the DNR in many capacities during his 32 years of service — many of these beautiful days were spent in the forests of Northern Michigan. During this season of his life, Edward rekindled a friendship with a high school classmate, Marquita and then at age 45, the couple reunited and married. Together, they owned and operated “The Birch Shop” restaurant and gift shop on Bois Blanc Island for 20 years.
In 2019, Ed Harris (Gaylord resident), stepson of Edward G. and son of Marquita L. Rothe, created the Edward G. and Marquita L. Rothe Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his parent’s generosity, support, guidance, values, education and love in helping Ed to be all that he could be.
Learn more about scholarships through the Kirtland Foundation, and take a look at our cutting-edge Wood Science Technology program.
