Troka makes gifts to Pitt-Bradford

Jere Troka's adventurous spirit has led her on many travels, including to Bradford, which she has called home for the past 22 years.

She sees Bradford as a welcoming community that holds a special place in her heart. In return for the happiness she has found in Bradford, she will permanently benefit her new hometown and honor her own struggle to earn an education as a single woman by endowing a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Last year the unexpected death of a dear friend inspired Troka to review her will and explore ways to leave a lasting legacy while honoring her commitment to her community.

Troka's gift has created the Jere A. Troka Endowed Scholarship, which Pitt-Bradford will award for the first time during the 2017-18 academic year. Additionally, she has included the university in her will.

“I put myself through school, and it was a struggle,” she said. “I wish someone had helped me out.” Troka can now give that help to others.

Troka was the second of six children growing up in Des Plaines, Illinois.

“Going to college wasn't encouraged in my home, so I didn't even consider that an option when I graduated from high school,” she said.

After high school, Troka began working at a music store. A co-worker who was earning his master's degree at night saw eagerness in Troka. He encouraged her to travel with him to take classes, which required a round-trip drive of three hours.

During her first year of taking classes, her passion for learning grew. She chose to transfer to Elmhurst (Illinois) College to pursue a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology.

Troka continued to live at home and work at the music store on evenings and weekends. Her professors encouraged her to further her education by pursuing a master's degree, which would soon become a requirement for practicing in the field.

Troka would go on to earn her master's degree at the University of Hawaii while working at a private school. It took six years to fulfill her requirements to become a speech-language pathologist.

She then moved to Bradford and worked for a contract company providing speech-language pathology services to a long-term care facility.

“Education is the one thing that gave me a chance in life,” she said.

To learn more about planned giving through the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, contact Jill Ballard, executive director of institutional advancement, at 814-362-5091 or jballard@pitt.edu.