ROBERT AND NORMA TROJAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR ENGINEERING | Bob Trojan
Contact: Bob Trojan
Robert (Bob) Trojan was elected to the Rock Valley College Board of Trustees in April 2015. He graduated from Chicago Vocational High School, served in the U.S. Marines and completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering from U of Illinois, and an MBA Marketing from Northwestern. He has spent his life working in and managing manufacturing companies, domestic and international. Bob came to the Rockford area in 1990 as President of Hydro-Line, Inc. and started Rockford Linear Actuation Inc. in 2002. His community service includes serving on boards of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Growth Dimensions, Abilities Center, Rockford Area Ventures, Community Foundation, Discovery Center, several committees dealing with manufacturing and a member of several voter referendums. He was a Community Member of the Rockford Register Star Editorial Board and is a blogger on their web site. Bob has been the Award recipient of the Chamber’s Manzullo Individual Catalyst (2007), People You Should Know (2011) and the Robotics Make It Loud Award (2013). Bob and wife Norma’s family includes three sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Norma Trojan was born and raised in South Chicago, attended St. Michael’s High School and 2 years at St. Xavier’s College. Norma married Bob in 1962 and moved to Champaign, IL where Bob graduated from the University of Illinois with an M.E degree while she received a PHT degree (Putting Hubby Through). Raising three sons, Norma found time to volunteer at their school as well as being a Scout Den Mother. In 1984, Norma finished her last 2 college years and was awarded a BS in Economics from the University of Rhode Island. fAfter the Trojans moved to Caledonia in 1990, Norma worked at the State of Illinois Forensic Lab in Rockford and formed an investment group called the Lady Trader. She was active in RVC’s Center for Learning in Retirement, as Chair of the Social Committee, where she arranged field trips for seniors and helped teach Computers for Seniors. She has traveled to England and Europe a number of times. Her pride are her three sons, (all college graduates) 5 grandchildren and the new great-grandson born Valentine’s Day 2020.
ROBERT AND NORMA TROJAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR ENGINEERING
In the spirit of “giving back”, Bob and Norma Trojan partnered with the Rock Valley College Foundation to create this scholarship. They knew that this region needed engineers. With about 20% of employees working in manufacturing companies, there is a continuous need for engineers due to growth or retirements. Prior to the Northern Illinois University at RVC Engineering Program, students had to go out of the area at a much higher cost to complete their engineering education. With the help of this scholarship, students may pursue an engineering degree which will provide them with the skills for a lifelong career.
Seeing the success of the NIU@RVC program, Norma and Bob take pride that, in their small way they, are helping the community and engineering students. For those who will receive a scholarship award, Norma and Bob wish you much success in your career!