Jacksons’ Gift Endows Scholarship and Fulfills Philanthropic Goals

Russell Jackson ’69 says that the most important development that came from his time at Lake Forest College was meeting his wife Rosalind ’70. He grew up Philadelphia, and she was from Houston—where the couple now lives. Both received their undergraduate degrees in psychology and went on to earn PhDs: Russell’s in urban planning and Rosalind’s in public health. Both were first-generation college students who benefited from financial aid and thrived in their college environment.

Last October, in honor of his 50th reunion, Russell and Rosalind made a $5,000 IRA charitable rollover gift to the College. The couple has also arranged for a six-figure bequest through their will to create an endowed scholarship providing students of color, ideally first-generation, the opportunity to attend a place like Lake Forest College. “We want future students to have access to the same wonderful experiences that we were able to have,” they say.

“Lake Forest College exposed me to a much wider array of diversity and afforded me the opportunity to manifest leadership qualities that may otherwise have been latent or not exercised in prior academic settings,” Russell says. “This kind of environment is a nurturing incubator for someone of color to have all the opportunities we had.”

Russell helped create the Honor Code Committee and was the founder and president of the House of Soul (African American students and some of the “hippies”). He was also active in the Black student union (BSBA). Rosalind studied French and lived in Dijon during a study abroad program.

Rosalind was brought up in segregated public schools. “Going to a small school like Lake Forest College was a good introduction to a more diverse world, learning environment, and social environment because people from the north and northeast were definitely different than people from the south!” says Rosalind, who was identified as a National achievement scholar in high school.

“After MLK was assassinated, the black students were meeting and trying to decide on something,” Rosalind says. “I recall saying to the group, ‘I wish Russell were here; he would know what to do.’ “

She says that helped her see the confidence she had in Russell, and she realized he was a man worth marrying. It also confirmed that Russell was a leader on campus who many looked up to.

Rosalind is now retired, and Russell continues to work as president and CEO of the data collection and research company he founded in 1984. This May the Jacksons celebrate their 50th anniversary and count among their many blessing their three daughters and eight grandchildren.

“There is a certain amount of joy that comes from within and personal satisfaction when you can help somebody,” Rosalind says. “My family was poor, but they taught by example. People looked to them for guidance.” The Jacksons serve as examples to their family and their community of people who reach out to others to solve problems and to help.