JOE BRISSON
Memorial Scholarship
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
J
The Joe Brisson Memorial Scholarship is an endowment scholarship run and maintained by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. It was set up by Joe's family to honor Joe's life and spirit by helping graduating seniors get off to a good start pursuing their dreams of a higher education at a four-year institution or a vocational school.
About Joe
Joe Brisson loved athletics, particularly soccer, which was a passion he held throughout his life. He played on Traverse City's varsity soccer team for three years and later for the Traverse City Trappers. In addition, Joe had a true adventurous spirit and a passion and zest for life. He was an avid swimmer, a mountain and rock climber, a cyclist, a runner, a golfer and an ultimate Frisbee player. In 1990, he climbed Mount Rainier.
Joe attended school in Montana to live in the mountains he loved. In 1992, he graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula with a degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in philosophy, geography and Asian studies. He studied Chinese and through studies in Missoula, China and Taiwan, became fluent in
Mandarin Chinese. In 1992 and 1993, he studied at Hangzchou University in China. He
funded his trip in part through an international scholarship from the Rotary Club of Missoula. During that year Joe biked throughout rural China with his good friend, Tyson Waldo. In addition, he biked solo from Hangzchou to Beijing.
Joe later lived in Taipei, Taiwan for a year where
he taught English and then in Taichung, Taiwan,on and off for four years, where he also taught English. In 1994, he biked along the east coast of Australia. Joe also took up ultimate Frisbee and played with the University of Montana and Calgary, Alberta, Canada teams. He also played soccer with the university soccer club.
Joe made many friends in his lifelong journey and his friends recall him as a charismatic, magnetic, loving, sensitive,and filled with life.
Scholarship Details
The Joe Brisson Memorial Scholarship Endowment supports annual scholarship awards for graduating seniors from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County. Applicants must demonstrate adventurous spirit, a passion and zest for life, and will have played in a soccer league, whether school or community related.