| Stout memorial scholarship funds education for a decade |
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| Thursday, 11 October 2007 | ||
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Union Editor Education is often a choice way to create a lasting legacy. Stout, whose name is synonymous with development in Anoka, worked as the city’s development consultant from 1984 until 1997. Last Monday, Stout’s daughter Kimberly Sperling received a check for $900 collected at Anoka’s annual Business Appreciation Day for the Gary Stout Memorial Scholarship. Sperling pledged to match this $900, bringing the scholarship to $1,800. Since then another $200 has been contributed, boosting it to $2,000. The money will be awarded to the 10th recipient of the scholarship at Anoka High School’s 2008 graduation. The fund was established in 1997 following Stout’s death June 5 of that year after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. According to Anoka Community Development Director Bob Kirchner, during Stout’s early years with the city he worked on specific projects – Walker Plaza, Federal Cartridge and Hoffman Enclosures. From 1994 until 1997 he led efforts to develop the Anoka Enterprise Park, which is now home to more than 70 companies employing 2,400 people. Taxes generated by the industrial park have produced more than $20 million to help fund development projects including RiversPointe Townhomes, the Historic Rum River District, central business district parking, Commuter Rail Transit Village, George Enloe Park, Peninsula Point Two Rivers Historical Park and scattered sites housing redevelopment. This has illustrated the benefits of public-private partnerships for the entire community, said Kirchner. Sperling said her dad always knew what he wanted to do with his life. At a very early age he was interested in community development. “His passion was development until the day he died,” said Sperling. While the scholarship is not limited to students who specifically have a career plans in community development, the Anoka High School senior must be hardworking, focused and show they have already taken steps during high school to pursue a specific goal. “The criteria has changed over the years,” said Sperling. “The student has to have a clear direction with what they want to with their life... a real passionate goal for what they want.” Past recipients have pursued careers in interior design, business management and political science. When Sperling upped the ante and matched the money collected by the city, she encouraged others to donate in the name of her father so another high school student could realize his or her dream. “Times are tough in this economy,” said Sperling, who works as a real estate agent. “It’s time to step up and help each other out.” Contributions for the Gary Stout Memorial Scholarship can be sent to Barry Terrass at Anoka High School, 3939 Seventh Ave. N., Anoka, MN, 55303. Mandy Moran Froemming is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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