New scholarship at Marion Tech inspired by family’s legacy of compassion – The Marion Star
A new scholarship at Marion Technical College honors the legacy of Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli.
Established by their son Dr. James Bazzoli and his wife Ellen, the Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli Scholarship aims to support future health care professionals, according to a community announcement.
Hiram Bazzoli’s journey began in Pennsylvania, where he was born to Italian and Austrian immigrants. His father, Victor, worked in coal mines before starting a small trucking company in Dover, Ohio. Despite his father’s expectations to join the family business, Hiram was determined to pursue higher education.
“I was determined to get my education,” Hiram Bazzoli recalled in an interview in his 90s. “I always wanted to learn more.”
With the support of his mother, Adeline, Hiram attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The family could not afford college, but his grandfather provided $50 to help him get started during the Great Depression.
“Grandma made it work,” James Bazzoli said in the announcement. “Eventually, Grandpa was as proud as a peacock to have a doctor in the family.”
Hiram Bazzoli enlisted as a reserve U.S. Army officer during World War II and attended medical school in St. Louis. He married his high school sweetheart, Angela, and the couple instilled the value of education and community service in their five children.
“I learned my work ethic from my father and compassion from my mother,” James Bazzoli said.
Hiram Bazzoli started his medical career earning about $25 a month as a surgeon. He supplemented his income by making $3 house calls at night and on weekends, often with a child in tow. Some families paid him in chickens.
“Dad was all about medicine. He treated patients, not insurance cards. He didn’t turn people away. I think you have a lot more empathy when you’ve had to struggle,” James Bazzoli said. “He said while he couldn’t cure everybody, he could be kind to everybody.”
Hiram and Angela Bazzoli ensured their children attended private schools and graduated from college. All three sons became doctors and one daughter became a nurse.
“Because of Dad’s decision, we now have 10 medical professionals in the family across three generations,” James Bazzoli said.
Hiram Bazzoli retired at age 83 after a 60-year career in medicine. James Bazzoli became an obstetrician/gynecologist and served the Marion community from 1976 until his retirement.
“Dad and Mom stressed the value of education,” James Bazzoli said. “We can think of no better way to honor their memories than to help give a hand up to another health care professional. This could change their family’s trajectory, too.”
The scholarship will be awarded to a health care student with demonstrated financial need in good academic standing.
“This new scholarship gives students in need a hand up,” Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Tech Foundation, said in the announcement. “We so value this generosity, following the example set by Dr. Hiram and Angela Bazzoli. Many of our students struggle, not with the classes, but with economic challenges outside the classroom. With our student body growing, the need also grows. Every scholarship makes a difference.”
This is the second scholarship fund created by the Bazzolis at Marion Tech.
For the full list of scholarships, or to make a donation to this endowed fund, go to mtc.edu.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
