An NIU student taken from life too soon will be remembered with a scholarship in her name.

Kathleen Ward, a 22-year-old electrical engineering major, died Friday, March 5 in a car accident as she was on her way to her internship position at Sunstrand Corp. in Rockford.

She was taken by ambulance to Rochelle Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ward has been described as a hard worker, a persistent student and self-sufficient, surviving the weeding-out process common in the electrical engineering department.

Last semester, she had earned a 3.5 out of a possible 4.0 grade point average.

She was known to be quick to make friends and remained loyal to those close to her. It was her bubbly personality that attracted people to her.

In honor of Ward, her high school has set up a scholarship in her name.

The Kathleen J. Ward scholarship will be awarded to seniors at Belvidere High School continuing their education in engineering.

A fundraising event has been planned in Belvidere to help finance the scholarship fund.

“Following In The Footsteps,” a five-mile “Fun Run” and a two-mile walk, starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8 at Belvidere Park in Belvidere.

Participants can register for the event until 8:30 a.m. on the day of the race. Pre-registration for the event before May 3 is encouraged.

The entry fee is $10 for those who pre-register before May 3, $12 for those who register on the day of the race and $30 for an entire family.

The entry fee includes an event T-shirt, refreshments after the race, participation prizes and prizes for winners of the five-mile run.

Any donations to the Ward Memorial Scholarship by non-particpants will be accepted gladly.

There also will be a raffle that includes prizes of golf clubs and gift certificates after the race.

The event is being sponsored by the Co-op Students of Sunstrand Aerospace Corp.