The first Project Hero Scholarship presented by Loyalist College has been awarded to student Louis O’Driscoll, son of the late Corporal Jacques Larocque, who lost his life while serving with the Canadian Forces.
In 2009, College President Maureen Piercy announced that Loyalist would become the first college to participate in the Project Hero program, which provides free tuition for dependents of Canadian Forces personnel who lose their lives while serving in an active military mission. President Piercy made the announcement at her Investiture ceremony as Honorary Colonel of 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron (8 ACCS).
“Project Hero was first introduced at Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial University by Retired General Rick Hillier, and then brought to the University of Ottawa by businessman Kevin Reed, an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 31 Canadian Brigade Group,” she explained. “I was pleased to meet with Kevin to discuss the opportunity to participate in the program and am very pleased that we now offer the scholarship program at Loyalist College.”
Kevin Reed has connections with Belleville and with Loyalist College. He is a graduate of Quinte Secondary School, and his late uncle, Alfred Reed, was one of the College’s original faculty members.
Award recipient, Louis O’Driscoll, who achieved a 93% average last semester, is a student in his second year of the Community and Justice Service Worker program. “I recall how proud I was as a young boy, to see my father in his military uniform. My father would be very proud to know that I have been awarded a scholarship that recognizes the Canadian Forces personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country,” he said. “I am honoured to be Loyalist’s first recipient of this special award.”
For further information about the Project Hero Scholarship or other awards available at Loyalist College, contact Awards Officer Joanne Farrell at (613) 969-1913, ext. 2202.
Project Hero Scholarship recipient, Louis O’Driscoll with Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy, Honorary Colonel of 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron (8 ACCS) at the Loyalist College Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Media Contact: Edina Cappuccitti, College Advancement & External Relations, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2392, ecappuccitti@loyalistc.on.ca