HENDERSHOTT LOVE SCHOLARSHIP | Arles Hendershott Love

Contact: Arles Hendershott Love

There are many reasons for establishing this scholarship, the main one being my husband and I firmly believe in reaching and giving back. We both worked hard during our lives and have been blessed and feel we have a responsibility to share those blessings. I was born in Rockford and graduated from west High School in the mid 70’s. | had always dreamed of going to college, in grade school! would tell people | wanted to be an Archaeologist and knew that would require many years of work at a college or University. There was one problem with that dream, my father has serious health problems stemming from his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. | had the desire but not the needed funds. I also had determination. I worked at D.J. Stewart’s in downtown Rockford full time plus any overtime | could snag for the first year after graduation, but the fire for a college degree continued to burn, so | saved as much money as | could. My Uncle helped by finding me an inexpensive car, a 1963 Rambler Classic, no power steering, no power brakes, simply basic transportation, but it worked and only cost $500. The following fall | decided it was time and I enrolled at RVC taking more than the usual fifteen credit hours and continued to work at D.J. Stewart’s. | made it all work and in 1 year got enough of my General Education classes out of the way that | could transfer to ISU and major in their emerging TV journalism/Communications program. | worked full time while at ISU and completed my
degree in 3 years with High Honors. The faculty at RVC was amazing and I stayed connected with many of my professors through the years, they became mentors and good friends. | can honestly say RVC changed my life for the better and was the first building block in a successful career. My husband Joe took a different path. He graduated from High School in the mid 60’s and he knew he would be drafted. He chose to enlist in the US Coast Guard, a decision he also said changed his life. He used the GI Bill when he was discharged to go to Photography School and learned every aspect of the business including how to fix equipment. However, when he became the manager of a local camera store he enrolled in business classes at RVC so he could be a better manager and employee. He also credits his career success to
what he learned at RVC.

ABOUT ARLES:
Arles Hendershott Love serves as the development director at Milestone, Inc. in Rockford, Illinois, where she has built a distinguished career defined’ by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to service. For more than two decades in this role, she has played a critical part in advancing the organization’s mission, leveraging her expertise in fundraising and marketing to secure essential resources for individuals with developmental disabilities who require specialized care. Her work has had a direct and lasting impact, improving the quality of life for some of the community’s most vulnerable
populations. Prior to her tenure at Milestone, Inc., Ms. Love established herself as a trailblazer in broadcast journalism. From 1983 to 2004, she served as both news director and community relations director at WIFR, where she distinguished herself as one of the few female news directors in the mid-1980s. In an industry then dominated by men, she broke significant barriers while elevating newsroom standards and mentoring future leaders in the field. Her influence extended beyond the station through active involvement in professional organizations, including the Radio-Television News Directors Association, where she served as Illinois television state coordinator, and the Illinois Associated Press, where she held multiple leadership roles, culminating in her presidency in 1991.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Love honed her journalistic skills at WTVO-TV, working as an anchor, reporter, and producer from 1979 to 1983. During this period, she also demonstrated a commitment to education and community engagement by serving as a speaker for Rockford Public Schools. These early experiences laid the groundwork for her later success in both media and nonprofit leadership. Throughout her professional journey, Ms. Love has remained actively engaged in a wide range of professional and civic organizations. Her affiliations include the National Association of Female Executives, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the American Management Association, among others. Her civic contributions are equally extensive, including leadership roles with the American Heart Association in Winnebago County, YWCA Rockford, and ongoing involvement with organizations such as the Rockford Boys and Girls Club and Rockford CrimeStoppers. Through these roles, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to community development and public service.

Ms. Love’s academic background further supports her professional achievements. She earned a Bachelor of Science in communications with high honors from Illinois State University and completed graduate-level coursework in broadcast management at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2024, she reinforced her expertise in the nonprofit sector by earning certifications as a certified nonprofit executive, certified development executive, and certified nonprofit consultant through the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives. Her career has been recognized with numerous honors that reflect both professional excellence and community impact. Among these are the Lifescape Community Services Volunteerism Award, the Kiwanis Touch A Life Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Heart Association, and multiple Rockford Crimestoppers of the Year awards. In 2024, she was inducted into the Illinois State University Broadcasting Hall of Fame, accompanied by official proclamations from the Illinois Governor, the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, and the Rockford City Council—an acknowledgment of her enduring influence and contributions.

In addition to her leadership and service, Ms. Love has made creative contributions to journalism, including producing the notable 1985 news story “Pee Wee Explosion.” Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, photography, and dog training, including participation in competitive dog sports. Grounded in a strong sense of community and purpose, Ms. Love attributes her success to the support she has received throughout her life. Looking ahead, she remains committed to advancing meaningful initiatives and continuing her advocacy for those in need, ensuring her impact will endure across both professional and civic spheres.

JOSEPH W. LOVE’S OBITUARY
Joseph (Joe) W. Love, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 6, 2024, with his beloved dog Juno by his side, after a brief illness.

Joe was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Joseph L. and Lillian J. (Satek) Love. He graduated from Barrington High School and enlisted in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam conflict, proudly serving on the USCG Winnebago.

Photography was one of his many loves and talents, he attended the Professional Photography Institute and took business courses at Rock Valley College. He did camera repair and sales at Oak Park Camera in Oak Park, IL, the Riverside K-Mart photo department, Camera Craft, and Lundgrens, both in Rockford.

He also loved fixing things, and he was “Mr. Fix It’ at Zanocco Ave Hardware for the past 18 years.

He married Arles Hendershott in 1986, and they had 38 years of a strong union filled with the things they both loved to do together.

Joe had a servant’s heart and was always willing to help anyone and share his talents which he did with many organizations in the area including but not limited to, Milestone, Special Olympics, Lifescape, Boys and Girls Club, RAMP, On the Waterfront, Rockford Rescue Mission, and many more.

Joe and Arles believe in supporting students and sponsored scholarships at Rock Valley College, Illinois State University, and the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.

Joe was a man of deep faith and taught second grade Sunday school with his wife Arles at Westminster Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. He also helped the Salvation Army.

After he semi-retired Joe became a wonderful dog trainer, and he and his beloved border collie Keanu earned over 80 titles in scent work, obedience and tricks. They were also the first Border Collie Therapy Dog team to earn the AKC Supreme Title. Their work during COVID earned an Illinois State Senate resolution and honor from State Senator Steve Stadelman, and a letter of commendation from Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his in laws, Eugene and RoseMary Hendershott, Bert and Pat Snyders, and his beloved dog Keanu.

He is survived by his wife, Arles, his nephew Jon Clark, his “Texas family” Mike, Jen, and Lillian Kost, his ex-wife JoAnne Snyders of Tennessee, and his former brothers in law Dave (Angela) Snyders of Freeport, Illinois, and Dan (Svitlana) Snyders of Tennessee, and a huge number of friends who he considered family.