VICTORIA PURNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP | John Purnell

Contact: John W. Purnell

This scholarship was established in 2005.

The motivation for creating this scholarship was to help students who face challenges being able to afford the cost of continuing their education.

Vicky Purnell loved working for RVC from 1985-2003. Her valuable contributions included Project Management/Leadership. Grantsmanship, and the design and implementation of the Traffic Safety Program.

Because of her love, dedication, hard work, and achievements during those years, she would be proud to know a little part of her legacy continues on after her death by helping students further their education.

John Purnell is an RVC Retiree and worked in Information Technology from 1990-2014.

OBITUARY
Victoria Purnell, 49, Loving wife and mother.
Belvidere – Victoria Lynn Purnell passed away at 2:30am, Sunday, June 19, 2005, in her home after a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer. Born August 17, 1955 to Anthony V. Arduino and Bena Arduino. Married John W. Purnell of Pecatonica March 18, 1978. Vicky graduated valedictorian from Auburn High School in 1973. Achieved membership of National Honor Society 1972-1973 and was an AFS exchange student in San Jose, Costa Rica, summer of 1972. Graduated and received BA with high honors in 1976 with triple from ISU. Received MS Ed from NIU in 1996, graduating with high honors. Vicky loved working at Rock Valley College from 1985-2003. Her valuable contributions included Project Management/Leadership and Grantsmanship. She designed and implemented the Traffic Safety program. From 2003 to present, Vicky enjoyed working for the Swedish American Health System Center for Complementary Medicine. Vicky was a consultant from 1997-2002 for the UIC of Rockford, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Family Practice Residency Program, and co-designed a model curriculum in Community Medicine. She also enjoyed consulting with RAMP, and served gratis 1990 to 2004 at United Way of Rock River Valley, chair, one of four community impact councils addressing health and human service needs in the region. Her recent accomplishments include co-founder of the Northern Illinois Center for Non-profit Excellence-Rockford College. Vicky was a woman who defined the word integrity. She always looked for ways to help improve the quality of life for family, friends, even strangers first before thinking of herself. She loved to relax in the outdoors with a book, fishing pole, or both in hand.