LaRocco Scholarship Info

About Your Scholarship

 Award: JOSEPH & ELEANOR LAROCCO SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION

History of the Scholarship:

This fund was established in 2013 by Michael and Ann LaRocco to provide support for undergraduate students in the College of Education majoring in Education Studies.

Mike LaRocco received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from the University of Tampa. He has held executive roles in the Fireman’s Fund Insurance in Novato, California, and the Safeco Company in Seattle, Washington, and is currently the president and CEO of AssureStart providing insurance for small businesses. Mike’s first job was as a “bottle boy” at Marty’s Beverage, in Cleveland, Ohio. “I got paid a buck an hour and all the soda I could drink.”

Ann (Paulsen) LaRocco was born and raised in Denmark where she received both her primary and secondary schooling. She came to the U.S. and worked as a purser for a cruise line before getting her insurance agent license. She soon became an owner and partner in an insurance agency.

Named in honor of Mike’s parents Joseph and Eleanor, the LaRocco’s wanted to recognize their parents for supporting their children’s interest in higher education. All five of Joseph and Eleanor’s children have earned multiple college degrees. Now their nine grandchildren have all graduated college or will graduate soon.

The award recipients will be selected on the basis of the following criteria: 

• Undergraduate student enrolled or expected to be enrolled in the Education Studies department of the University of Oregon College of Education

• Good overall quality of academic work and achievement

• Demonstrate high financial need

The following persons established and support this scholarship.

Mr. Michael and Mrs. Ann LaRocco

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Andi Sandstrom