To say that Alan Page has an impressive resume is a gross understatement — the NFL Hall of Famer and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice won a Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.
Page stopped by the "Hey, it's Cory Hepola" show at the State Fair Tuesday to talk about another one of his achievements, one that could arguably be one of his more enduring — The Page Education Foundation. In 32 years, the nonprofit has dolled out 11,000 college scholarships or grants, totally about $15 million to 7,500 students. He said a key aspect of the foundation's work was that college scholarship recipients were required to work with younger children as tutors and mentors. "Those younger children can see somebody using education as a tool, preparing for their future, " Page explained. "And those younger children start to become inspired and begin to understand that, 'Oh, somebody I know, somebody who is from my neighborhood, maybe I can be like them.'"
Nicole Hansen, manager of community relations with Securian Financial, a financial services firm which helps support Page's work, was also part of the interview.
"If we are really truly going to stand behind what it means to support families, we must support education. And the Page Education Foundation does it better than anyone," she said.
Hepola asked Page how he was doing since his wife died last year, and noted that her legacy was being continued by the foundation's work.
"I am doing as okay as I can do. That said, we had a great life together. She was a part of the foundation from the beginning," Page said.
Listen to the conversation here: