UKIAH, Calif. – A scholarship has been established in the memory of a longtime North Coast couple who were active in the community.

“The late Harry and Joan Bistrin would be pleased to know that deserving Mendocino College students will receive their named scholarship in perpetuity,” said Wilda Shock, a past president of the Mendocino College Foundation board of directors.

The Bistrins, longtime Ukiah residents, served at varying times as members of the Mendocino College Foundation board of directors and were loyal and generous supporters of Mendocino College.  

Shock noted that she had the opportunity to work closely with both Harry and Joan and felt privileged to have their kindness, financial support and knowledge benefit the foundation board.  

“Harry and Joan were staunch advocates of education and they knew firsthand the value of earning a college degree,” she said.

Harry Bistrin was a well-known political figure, having served as local representative for several North Coast legislators, and a civic leader who cared about education, health care, women’s rights and the arts.

The Mendocino College Foundation recently received a gift from the Bistrin estate and along with other in-memoriam contributions, the $1,000 per year Bistrin Scholarship has been established in perpetuity.

This year’s recipient will be chosen in the coming months and celebrated at the foundation’s scholarship ceremony on May 16.  

For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation and any of its programs, contact the office at 707-467-1018 or http://foundation.mendocino.edu .