Russell and Vera Smith Endowed Scholarship

RUSSELL L. AND VERA A. SMITH ESTABLISHED 1991

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: September

NUMBER/AMOUNT: 1 – $275 (Full time and part-time students are eligible)

CRITERIA:
A. Must be a second-year student in Accounting or Associate Degree Nursing Program
B. Must have completed all first-year occupational specific courses
C. Must be enrolled for a minimum of ten credits in occupational specific courses
D. College and community activities
First Priority: will be given to those students who are currently involved in leadership positions in the college and community
E. Club advisor’s recommendation-based on leadership activities in HOSA, SNA or BPA
F. Program GPA-minimum 3.5

Russell L. Smith, Certified Public Accountant, has led a very active life in his field of expertise and in the community. He is a graduate of Joliet Township High School, Joliet, Illinois; Joliet Junior College; and earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Walton School of Commerce, Chicago, Illinois.
Russell Smith retired from Heileman Brewing Company in 1976, where he served as director, executive vice president, and treasurer. Formerly he was employed by the Tennant Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as controller, secretary, and assistant treasurer; and was also employed by Trane Company, La Crosse, as chief accountant.
He was a member of the Society of CPA’s, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Downtown Rotary.
While living in Arizona, Russ spent weekends serving as mentor to Prescott High School seniors who wished to pursue a career in accounting. He served as a trustee on the Foundation Board from 1981 to 1990. After retirement, Russ spent many volunteer hours at the Foundation to establish a corporate accounting system.
Although Russ and his wife, Vera, did not have children, they have both been involved with youth all their lives and are very supportive of education and students.
During his career, Russ always found time to help employees with their personal problems, encourage them to further their studies and find ways to make continuing education possible.
The Foundation established an endowed scholarship in the name of Russell and Vera Smith in recognition of his exemplary service to the Foundation, support of education and students, and assistance to the employees in the businesses he served.