Students
Eugene “Gene” J. Rolfe, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Gene grew up with a love of music and a desire to understand the world around him. His love of music could be seen as he played clarinet in his high school band and gave guitar lessons throughout high school, college and even after graduating from college. He played guitar in “garage bands” throughout his life and was a longtime member of his church choirs.
Gene’s desire to understand the world around him led him to building, repairing, filming and exploring the physics of the world around him. He majored in both physics and chemistry in college before landing on electrical engineering. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1976, with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to receive his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from MU in 1978.
Gene worked throughout his career for the same company in Kansas City, moving through various positions and into management. His desire to teach extended beyond music and into engineering. He taught various computer programming courses for many years at Longview Community College in addition to continuing his engineering career. This love of teaching led him to work on his Ph.D. in Engineering and Networking at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His goal was to eventually retire from his job and take up teaching engineering at the university level. On a night in February, 1999, he was on his way to a class for his Ph.D. program when he was killed by a drunk driver.
This scholarship was established by Gene’s family to honor the traits that they loved in Gene and to encourage the same areas of interest in young people, just as Gene did by teaching those subjects.
Eligibility:
- Must be a graduate of a high school in the Lee’s Summit Public School District, St. Michael the Archangel High School in Lee's Summit, or a home school graduate residing in Lee's Summit or the Lee's Summit School District boundaries;
- Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of engineering at any junior college, college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) within the United States;
- Must have a demonstrated participation in music, either vocal or instrumental;
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Amount:
Up to $1,500 per academic year.
Renewable:
Yes, this scholarship can be renewed for three additional years of funding. A renewal application must be submitted with proof of continuing college enrollment and a minimum college cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Deadline:
The General Application will be opened December 15 and will be due (including any additional requirements for scholarships you may be matched with) April 1.
Please note that the general application requires transcripts showing grades from Fall Semester 2023. Any applications submitted with transcripts omitting Fall Semester 2023 will not be considered.
Requirements:
- Personal reference from a supervisor of a school activity in which you participated.
- Personal reference from a teacher.
- Personal reference from a non-family, community member who can verify your musical interest and participation.
Apply: