Linn’s Legacy of Lifelong Learning

It’s been 15 years since Emily Stordahl’s late husband, Linn Stordahl, retired from Linn-Benton Community College, but she still lights up every time she mentions the effect he had on his students. “When we lived in Albany and he would go to the grocery store, people would remember him and tell him how much he helped change their lives,” Stordahl said. “He was a listener and a leader by example.”

Linn was a “lifelong learner” according to Emily. He had multiple careers throughout his life, but when Linn was in his 50s he went back to school to earn his second masters degree. Then in 1999 he joined LBCC as a member of the Health and Human Performance Department.

“I think he kind of embodies why people go back to community college,” Stordahl said. “A lot of times people go back to change careers and explore possibilities.”

Linn and Emily had always talked about giving to the LBCC Foundation and after he passed away in July of 2020, Emily knew that starting the Linn Stordahl Memorial Scholarship was the perfect way to remember Linn and his work, while helping LBCC students at the same time.

“If you want to follow in anybody's footsteps, he'd be the person to look for,” Stordahl said. “He was quite a leader and very well loved and respected.”

First preference for the Linn Stordahl Memorial Scholarship will be given to students who are coming back to LBCC after being in the workforce to advance their career or for those looking to discover a new one. Emily says that the family would like to see students from Linn’s former department, the Health and Human Performance Department, apply for the scholarship.

“You can look all over [the LBCC] campus and find really positive and inspirational stories of faculty, students, and people who are going there every day to improve their lives and the lives of others,” said Stordahl.

If you are interested in donating to the Linn Stordahl Memorial Scholarship, you can do so here. For more information about scholarships and the LBCC Foundation, visit the LBCC Foundation website.