The Lasting Impact of Your Endowments!

THE LARRY PEDROZA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP A Legacy to Support Student Dreams

“Larry always valued education – he thought it was the best way to get ahead and develop as a person,” said Tina Sohn of her late husband, Larry Pedroza. “He was always interested in learning.”

Pedroza graduated from Hartnell College with an AA Degree in Sociology in 1977. He went on to Sacramento State University and later to the University of Arizona. He acquired his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and started his doctorate in Sociology.

He passed away in early 2022. “He was a wonderful person, husband, and dad,” Tina said. “He was a great friend – always there – I miss him every day.”

Because of his passion for education, Tina established the Larry Pedroza Memorial Scholarship. It will be awarded annually to a current student at Hartnell majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences and/or Sociology. 

Pedroza grew up in Salinas and had two grown children from his first marriage. His family connection to Hartnell College includes his brother, Michael and a granddaughter, both of whom graduated from Hartnell. He felt that his experience at Hartnell jump-started his educational journey.

Tina and Larry met through a mutual friend at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she is from. He started work there as Associate Director of the Learning Center. She held various positions, including Director of the Learning Center.  They loved to read, learn, and watch/discuss the daily news. They were married for 20 years.

“I started this endowment in his memory because education was very high in his priorities,” Tina said. “I want to give opportunities to others to have an education and make it a little easier for them.”

Tina is not new to endowments. She lost her mom five years ago and started an endowment in her name to support students in the nursing field. “My mom went back to school in her early 50s to get her nursing degree,” she said. “I admire that so much.”

She hopes that with this scholarship, students will get a head start in their education and learn to appreciate the power of learning just like Larry did.

“Doors will be open thanks to an education,” she said. “My hope is for scholarship recipients to continue on and pass on the opportunities to others.”