Endowed Scholarships & Fellowships

Marion C. Roche Scholarship Fund

History

After 51.5 years of service with Marion County School System and as the director of vocational and adult education for 25 years, Mr. Marion C. Roche was presented at his retirement event with a sum of money with which he started the Marion C. Roche Scholarship Fund. Mr. Roche generously continued to fund the scholarship through the years.

With little external support, Roche paid his way through UF. By the time he graduated, he was waiting tables, picking up and delivering dry cleaning and managing the university's poultry farm as well as attending to his studies. His first teaching job was as a vocational instructor at the Ocala High School (now Osceola Middle School). Roche started the vocational agriculture department at the high school and made himself, his students and his program well known throughout Florida. During his teaching tenure, Roche also served three years in the Navy and returned to the classroom after finishing his military duty. He kept himself busy tending to his citrus groves and forestry lands as well as being active in community and state affairs. Marion Roche passed away on June 11, 2010.

Criteria

Incoming or currently enrolled students in the teacher education specialty who have demonstrated scholarship, leadership and professional potential in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.

Application Information

Contact the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

Click here to visit the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences website.