Black and white picture of a young man in a suit, Rod Bennett, smiling at the camera. Logo for Bennett Construction inc. and the tagline "When Quality Makes a Difference"

Rod Bennett Memorial Scholarship

Supporting students pursuing careers in the building trades.

Winter Scholarship - Closed Closed This scholarship is part of the Winter application cycle. The application is open December 1st to February 1st every year. How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must:

- Currently reside in Winnebago County, IL, or have attended Pecatonica, Durand, Winnebago, or Dakota High Schools in Illinois.
- Intend to pursue a career in the building trades.

Specifications

Preference will be given to applicants pursuing a career in building or construction-related trades. For the purposes of this scholarship, construction-related may include such careers as construction management, but not automotive mechanic.

Written Prompt

Each CFNIL scholarship is created with a specific purpose in mind. As you complete the application, the system automatically matches you with every scholarship for which you are eligible and will present you with a specific written prompt for each. You're encouraged to craft a unique response to each prompt to show the reviewers why you're the best candidate for that scholarship.

Scholarship Background and Intent

Roderick Allen Bennett, ‘Rod’, born on July 23, 1940, was raised on an 80 acre farm between Davis and Durand, IL. The farm had no electrical services or running water until he went off to Blake School, one of the county’s last one room school houses. As a very young child he built replica barns and corrals which his mother saved for years. In Durand High School’s 1958 annual Rod said his life’s ambition was to be a building contractor.

From humble beginnings, this born carpenter built one of Northern Illinois’ most respected commercial/industrial union construction companies, Bennett Construction, Inc., Pecatonica, IL. This was a work of love for Rod, and he was successful due to his single minded determination and plain old hard work. He was blessed with dedicated employees who were his second family. Rod worked every day of his life, and even on his death bed wanted to make sure proposals were submitted and contracts signed.

Rod died on August 19, 2022 of complications from cancer treatment. His family surrounded him and supported him as he drew his final breaths.

Rod loved fast cars, fast boats, heavy equipment, and ice cream. He was a dedicated member of the Northern Illinois Corvette Club. For more than 2 decades he led the Club in the annual Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade. He also was a member of the Pecatonica Old Car Club. He was an avid euchre player. For many years you could find him grabbing breakfast and a game as early as 5:00am. He loved teasing friends and chasing after anything with a siren and flashing lights along with his breakfast buddies from the ‘farmer’s table.’

He was a man of quiet generosity, supporting local community groups, sports teams, the Winnebago County Fair, Ducks Unlimited, The Carrie Lynn Children’s Center, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford both financially and with donations of expertise, labor, and equipment for construction related projects.

Rod will be remembered as a man with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. Rod was a man of few words, but he was respected and admired wherever he went. Rod was always there for all of us. We will miss him forever. May his memory be a blessing.