Jean Porwoll
When Dr. Jean Marie Porwoll, a 1969 graduate of Brainerd State Junior College, died of cancer in 2010, she left a legacy for female students of her first alma mater: $1.145 million. The bequest from Dr. Porwoll’s estate is the largest gift to the Central Lakes College Foundation and it is also the largest single gift in 75 years of higher education in the region. The gift comes from a woman described as “strong-willed” by her younger brother, Joe Porwoll, and “a free spirit” by one of her instructors, Steve Long, biology.
A scholarship recipient during the Brainerd college years, Dr. Porwoll maintained near-perfect grades while gravitating toward the sciences. After graduation, she transferred to Moorhead State University and in 1976 obtained her medical degree from the University of Minnesota.
She picked the medical profession at a time of few female doctors. “She was aware of inequities, especially those between men and women,” said her brother Joe Porwoll, who also started college in Brainerd and Moorhead and today is a bio-chemistry executive with a doctorate. “She was a liberal supporter of opportunities,” he said, “and I think she viewed (CLC) as delivering education at the most important stage for women.” While she valued education beyond Brainerd and throughout her life, Jean Porwoll believed the best choice for her bequest was where her education began.
Amid turbulent cultural forces – Vietnam War, assassinations, and generational rift – the Porwolls entered a world full of challenges for a generation of WWII baby boomers. Jean Porwoll experienced not only classroom education; she grew from personal learning. She became a woman of capability and confidence as she came to grips with a social revolution. Among her activities on campus and in the community were causes espoused by the Students for Democratic Society, new-age environmentalists, and others with mutual curiosity.
Jean loved to cook, garden, kayak, and take pictures. She was also an art lover and collected both stamps and coins. The estate left to the CLC Foundation included about $150,000 in coins, some rare enough to be valued at more than $15,000 each.
Dr. Porwoll carved her career in a male-dominated profession, interning at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., where she received certification in Infectious Disease. She became board-certified in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. For 25 years, Dr. Porwoll was at Wing Memorial Hospital in Massachusetts as director of emergency services. Prior to her death in August of 2010, she was a physician for Hampden County Physicians Associates in Longmeadow, Mass.
Impact
“As a college student and a hardworking employee, I am very aware of how every penny is helpful towards my education. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. It is people like you who keep the world spinning and students, like myself, in school. Your donation will go toward helping me complete my Associate in Arts degree and to move on to achieve a bachelor’s degree in counseling (and hopefully a MBA).”
- Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipient/Associate in Arts Student
“By awarding me the Jean Porwoll Fund, you have lightened my family’s financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. As well as ensuring the future for my children and myself, your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help nurses achieve their goals just as you have helped me.”
- Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipient/PN (LPN) Student
“By receiving the Jean Porwoll Fund, I am able to concentrate on what is important to me and that is my education. Thanks to your kind and generous financial support, I will be one step closer to earning my teaching degree, which has been a passion of mine. I am hopeful that one day I will help students achieve their goals, just as you have helped me with mine.
- Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipient/A.A.S. in Special Education Student
“Your donation will be put to good use helping me with book fees and living expenses. I am really grateful for the opportunity to receive a scholarship and to know there are people out there that really care to help students through college and want to see them succeed. I cannot thank you enough for this gift of money. I am very appreciative of your generosity.”
- Spring 2015 Scholarship Recipient/A.A.S. in Med. Sec. Admin. Student
“I was very excited and honored to be receiving a scholarship from a fund that is in memory of such an inspirational woman. I am currently working on my early childhood education degree with American Sign Language and also my special education degree. My future plans are to transfer to St. Cloud State University and hopefully earn my bachelors degree in special education. As of right now, I am a stay at home mother of three beautiful children and I am working for a brighter future for them and myself and thanks to you I am one step closer in reaching that goal. The financial burden of college is a great deal to anyone and especially hard while raising a family. Thank you for lifting some of that burden, as it will give me more time to focus on the importance of my schooling and my children. I am very grateful for being selected for this scholarship.”
- Fall 2014 Scholarship Recipient/Child Development/ASL AAS Student
“Thank you for your generosity and support. With your considerate help, I am one step closer to my dream. By awarding me this scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.”
- Fall 2014 Scholarship Recipient/Nursing Student
“As a single mother returning to school, I have appreciated the opportunities that CLC offers our community. This scholarship will allow me to continue to take advantage of those educational opportunities. I sincerely appreciate the support and assistance you are giving me by awarding me with this scholarship, and I look forward to using it to help me continue to advance my academic career.”
- Fall 2014 Scholarship Recipient/Associate in Arts Student