Gruczelak Music Scholarship

The Gruczelaks—Norm and Colly—were actively involved with CLC during the college’s first decade of existence. For the most part, their involvement was through the Community Leaders Association, and their personalities were so outgoing that they encouraged others to become involved as well.

The Gruczelaks looked for different ways to support the University. Because of Colly’s special interest in music, the couple decided to establish a scholarship with music as its focus, specifically harp music. There was only one problem: CLC did not then own a harp. Applications to potential foundation funders of the purchase of a harp were unsuccessful.

Not to be discouraged, Colly and Norm continued with their plan for the Gruczelak Music Scholarship. They designed the award criteria as follows: “to be given to a music major who is a string player, with preference to one desiring harp instruction.” The award is available to either an undergraduate or graduate student meeting those criteria. Over the years, the music department has been able to honor the wishes of the Gruczelaks.