KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 19, 2023
Raczek, who built her archaeology career during travels to India and France, said LaRaia began traveling when he taught English in Japan after graduating from college. The couple met and began dating in New York City in 1996, married in 2004 and in the years following, visited seven countries together and spent two summers pet sitting in France.
鈥淏rian always believed in the power of travel to transform lives. Both of us felt like travel transformed our lives,鈥 said Raczek, a professor of anthropology. 鈥淎nd it transformed his cooking. Everywhere we went, he learned the country鈥檚 techniques. He could cook anything, and it was 5-star restaurant quality.鈥
When LaRaia passed away in April of 2021, Raczek said she and his family were immediately interested in finding ways to honor his memory by helping others explore the world and consider new perspectives. Together, they gifted $50,000 to endow the Brian Olcott LaRaia Traveling Scholarship in the in 2022, and recently, Raczek added a more than $200,000 planned gift to that endowment.
Raczek said though she enthusiastically helped establish the scholarship in her husband鈥檚 name, it was his family who wanted to ensure their gift would help students learn the way LaRaia felt only travel could.
鈥淗e just thought it was important that every young person had the opportunity to travel,鈥 Raczek said.
Radow College Dean Catherine Kaukinen said she is proud of her faculty鈥檚 support of its students through scholarships like this one, which she said goes 鈥渂eyond mere generosity.鈥
鈥淚t represents an investment in promoting global citizens who will shape a brighter future for all,鈥 Kaukinen said. 鈥淎s educators, it is our privilege and duty to provide students with the tools for learning and the opportunity to foster global awareness, a journey made possible through scholarships and transformative global experiences.鈥
鈥 By Thomas Hartwell
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