LeRoy Staples Sr. and LeRoy B. Fairbanks Scholarship Fund

When LeRoy Staples-Fairbanks III was running for election to the tribal council of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, he began to think of ways he could give back to his community.

Following his successful election in July, LeRoy pledged to give $50,000 over four years to endow a new scholarship fund at Leech Lake Tribal College - a gift of stunning generosity for someone so young.

Once it is fully endowed, earnings on this fund will go to support selected second-year students at Leech Lake Tribal College, and will continue to support them if they decide to pursue a four-year degree after graduating from LLTC.

LeRoy says that one of his primary goals in making this gift is to challenge others to step up and make a personal investment in education as well.  He hopes that others will be inspired by his gift and will also contribute to the fund, multiplying its ability to reach more students.

"Education is the single biggest thing anyone can do to make themselves less dependent," LeRoy says.  "It's important for our young people to know that there are people who believe in them, and who will invest in their future."

The fund is named after LeRoy's uncle and after his late grandfather, whom he cites as key influences on his life.

For more information on this fund or on Leech Lake Tribal College, please contact the LLTC Advancement office at 218-335-4229 or ryan.white@lltc.edu.