A scholarship created to honor a longtime Ottawa Dental Laboratory employee will assist an Illinois Valley Community College student studying technology.

The Roger Hustis Memorial Scholarship was created by Mary Elizabeth Hancock to honor Hustis, who died in 2022. The scholarship will provide one $1,000 award annually.

Hustis’s career at Ottawa Dental Laboratory spanned 40 years. Before he retired in 2019, Hustis was the manager of the implant department. Hancock said Hustis quickly recognized the value of computers and technology, not only in his field but across all work environments and encouraged her son to learn about computer science and cybersecurity.

“Since graduating from IVCC, my son Tony continues to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and has obtained certification from industry-respected organizations such as CompTIA, Cisco and the Linux Foundation. Being able to give something back to IVCC is really a blessing for my son and me and we feel lucky to be a small part in helping with continuing education,” Hancock said.

For more information about establishing a scholarship or contributing to The Roger Hustis Memorial Scholarship, contact Executive Director of the Foundation Tracy Beattie at 815-224-0550.