Isabelle Larson Endowed Scholarship

"The Larsons are angels for what they are doing. When I get to a position where I can help others, believe me I will try and emulate the Larsons for they are the people that we all should aspire to be like."
— Tatyana Krasnorozova
Pepperdine Student

Isabelle Larson's life story from homemaker to business magnate is refreshingly inspirational. It begins when Isabelle met Burt Larson on a blind date in 1942. In 1944 they married in Texas. One week later Burt left for his tour of duty abroad in Africa. After his tour was complete the happily reunited couple was blessed with five children.

After her children left the house, Isabelle returned to school and in 1978 received her bachelor of science in business from Pepperdine University. With her degree in hand, she took an expanded role in the family business Parr Contracting Company, a Los Angeles-based construction firm. The company thrived with Burt and Isabelle's hard work and expertise. Burt had received his engineering degree from Purdue University and the two had a mutual affinity for education.

Isabelle passed away in 1994 at the age of 72. To honor her memory and passion for education, and to encourage women who are returning to school after an interruption in their studies, Burt established a scholarship in her name. This year Burt also established a Charitable Gift Annuity for Home (CGA for Home) with Pepperdine University. His CGA for Home will increase his annual income for life and will be used to further fund Isabelle's scholarship fund. Pepperdine is proud to honor Burt and Isabelle Larson for their generosity. The Isabelle Larson Endowed Scholarship at Pepperdine University is awarded annually to a female who is majoring in business administration and re-entering the university after an absence.

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As an undergraduate business student at Seaver College, junior Tatyana Krasnorozova is the recipient of the Isabelle Larson Endowed Scholarship. She is working toward her goal of advancing small businesses in third world countries. In particular, Krasnorozova wants to help disadvantaged women start and maintain their own profitable businesses.

Tatyana grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, but moved to the United States speaking minimal English. By the time she was prepared to enroll in a university, a severe automobile accident left her in a coma and physically handicapped. Reflecting on her accident, Tatyana said: "Through rehabilitation I improved enough to finally attend school again and thanks to God I am now working hard to get my degree at Pepperdine."