"We turned a difficult situation into something that benefited somebody else. That was our intent."
When Glennon and Karlene Acksel lost their son, John, during his freshman year at Waubonsee, they searched for a meaningful way to honor his life. Together, they established the John Acksel Memorial Scholarship (now the John Acksel Memorial Endowed Scholarship) to help students who reminded them of John—a young person with potential, determination, and dreams for the future. Rather than focusing solely on academic achievement, they wanted the scholarship to reflect who John was and provide encouragement to students who simply needed an opportunity to continue their education. Over the years, the scholarship has done far more than preserve John’s memory. It has opened doors for students, inspired recipients, and created a legacy of generosity that continues to grow with each new scholarship awarded.
