Chi-Hi honors Siddons, Jacobson, Nystrom

Last modified: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 4:24 PM CDT

Chi-Hi honors Siddons, Jacobson, Nystrom

Special to the Herald - Chippewa Falls Senior High School is pleased to announce its three newest individuals honored as Chi-Hi Distinguished Alumni. Since its inception in 2001, the committee has inducted 22 individuals.

Harrison ‘Harry’ Siddons

Harrison “Harry” Siddons, a member of the class of 1948, dedicated his life to his God, country and family. Opting for early graduation to join the Armed Forces, Harry enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17 and was selected to attend the Naval Academy.

After honorable service, Harry returned to civilian life receiving an engineering degree from the University of Houston. Upon graduation, Siddons embarked on a remarkable career with a variety of defense contractors including Rocketdyne, North American, Litton, NASA and Northrop Grumman.

While working for NASA he was one of the first eight engineers hired for the Apollo program and was instrumental in the success of America’s space program. At Litton-Ingall’s Shipbuilding, Harrison was assigned as Admiral Rikover’s attache while developing the nuclear submarine fleet for the U.S. Navy. At Northrop Grumman he served as the Director of Product Support, maintaining electronic warfare systems around the world. Harrison was a 55-year member of the VFW and an American patriot.

Gerald ‘Jerry’ Jacobson

Gerald “Jerry” Jacobson, class of 1971, epitomizes a person who has dedicated his life to community service. After receiving his master’s degree from the University of Chicago, Jerry began his professional career at Northwestern Bank in Chippewa Falls, eventually becoming president in 1998.

Serving on a myriad of public service organizations literally too numerous to mention, this “blue-collar banker” became one of the most reliable and dependable individuals in the Chippewa Valley when it came to his willingness to participate in civic projects.

Jacobson’s countless hours of dedication to his community have been recognized by a variety of organizations as evidenced by several notable awards including a Distinguished Service Award from the United Way, a Lifetime Excellence Award from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and an Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Chippewa Valley Fund Raising Professionals.

The personification of commitment to his community, Jerry has left a remarkable imprint on the Chippewa Valley that he so dearly loves.

Barbara Nystrom Rolland

Barbara Nystrom Rolland, a member of the class of 1947, dedicated her professional career to teaching and community service. After studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, Rolland began a distinguished career at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire teaching French and English as a second language.

During her tenure at UWEC, Rolland established the English as a second language certification program, initiated the International Folk Fair, authored two university textbooks and a history of the Hmong, and served as advocate for the Hmong community.

In 1996, Rolland created New Beginnings, a program that mentors and tutors 40 at-risk students. She also serves as business counselor for SCORE. She remains actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club, the Literacy Volunteers of America, and Hmong refugees.

In response to these commitments, she has received numerous awards, including a Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of America, a Wisconsin’s First Lady’s Volunteerism Award, and an Excellence in Service Learning Award from UWEC.

Rolland’s commitment to the education and welfare of others establishes her as the living embodiment of a community servant.