Byron T. Broderick Libraries Student Employee Endowed Scholarship
The purpose of this endowment is to provide assistance to University Libraries student employees as part of the Libraries Student Employee Scholarship Program.
This endowment was established by Lizabeth A. Wilson, Dean of University Libraries, and her husband Dean A. Pollack to honor the generous spirit of their friend Byron T. Broderick.
Byron was born and raised in the state of Iowa. He joined the United States Army and served with the 75th Infantry Division in Europe during WWII. After the war he attended the University of Iowa where he earned a degree in European History. He moved to New York City after college and accepted a position with KLM Airlines.
In 1966 Byron chose to leave his successful career and the world of business to embark on a more meaningful challenge. He began teaching sixth-grade at P.S.161 in Harlem. Byron taught there for the next twenty-five years and was recognized as an outstanding educator who mentored hundreds of students and inspired them to reach for greatness in their lives. He retired to Chicago where he lives today.
Byron met Martin and Joanne Wilson at the University of Iowa and they began a friendship which has lasted a lifetime. Along the way he became a good friend to their daughter Lizabeth and to her husband Dean. Byron's love of learning and libraries has been an inspiration to them both. His lifelong passion for opera, music, dance and theatre has shaped their own appreciation of the performing arts. They treasure Byron's devotion to friends and family, and view his generosity and service to others as the hallmark of a life well-lived.
