The Rose M. Iciek Memorial Scholarship for Elementary and Secondary Education is available for a first-year undergraduate student majoring in pre-education, planning to teach either at the elementary or secondary level. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must hold and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Iciek Scholarship is renewable for an additional three consecutive academic years provided the student maintains the minimum GPA.
After graduating in 1920, Rose attended Western Michigan Normal School to obtain her teaching certificate. She began teaching in rural Dorr Township and over the next seven years taught in three different one-room rural schools, boarding with families. A local farmer, Joseph Iciek, began courting the pretty, young teacher, and they were married at St. Stanislaus Church on June 14, 1927. Together they had nine children who all attended St. Stanislaus School and Michigan’s Hopkins High School. Five of the children graduated as valedictorians.
Rose’s perseverance and fortitude enabled her to reach her goal on July 29, 1960, when she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from WMU at the age of 59. This qualified her to teach in larger school systems and she was immediately hired by Wayland Union Schools. She taught sixth grade at the Steeby School until she retired in 1968. She later served as a substitute teacher and as the Hopkins public librarian for several years.
Rose’s commitment to WMU and her love of teaching were passed down to several of her children. Her middle son, Joe, earned his master’s degree from WMU and was a teacher and principal. Her two youngest daughters, Joan and Stephanie, and youngest son, Robert, earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees from WMU, and were all teachers. Her three oldest children received certification to teach in rural schools from Allegan County Normal School.
After a long, constructive life, Rose passed away on January 30, 1995. Her legacy lives on in the scholarships bequeathed in her name.