Division of University Advancement Funds

Total funds: 32

Alice and Fannie Fell Fund

In 1931, Alice C. Fell made a $5,000 bequest as a memorial to her father, Jesse W. Fell. Jesse Fell was perhaps the person most responsible for the founding of ISNU in 1857. The income generated from the trust is to be used annually to take "proper care" of the Jesse Fell Memorial Gateway. The gateway is one of the main entrances to the campus quad. The balance of the income, if any, shall be used for the purpose of providing lectures or entertainment, one or more each year, at the University for the purpose of assisting the advancement of a broader educational experience for all members of the University and city communities. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. In 1931, Alice C. Fell made a $5,000 bequest as a memorial to her father, Jesse W. Fell. Jesse Fell was perhaps the person most responsible for the founding of ISNU in 1857. The income generated from the trust is to be used annually to take "proper care" of the Jesse Fell Memorial Gateway. The gateway is one of the main entrances to the campus quad. The balance of the income, if any, shall be used for the purpose of providing lectures or entertainment, one or more each year, at the University for the purpose of assisting the advancement of a broader educational experience for all members of the University and city communities.

Theatre at Ewing Maintenance Savings

***Need Purpose Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The purpose of this fund is to support general upkeep, repairs, and needed maintenance of the Theatre at Ewing Cultural Center.

Judge Russell DeBow Scholarship

In 1984 the ISU Black Colleagues Association was granted a charter by the Alumni Association. Members were asked to make a charitable gift to provide a scholarship fund. The scholarship was named in honor of Judge Russell DeBow, a long-time leader of ISU's black alumni. Candidates should be strong academic achievers and are selected by the ISU Black Colleagues Association annually. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. In 1984 the ISU Black Colleagues Association was granted a charter by the Alumni Association. Members were asked to make a charitable gift to provide a scholarship fund. The scholarship was named in honor of Judge Russell DeBow, a long-time leader of ISU's black alumni. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in academic achievement and community service as evidenced in their coursework and involvement in extracurricular activities. Preference given to students with demonstrated financial need.

Alumni Network Initiatives Fund

The Alumni Network Initiatives Fund supports activities, programs and operations associated with the development of newly established alumni networks and affinity groups.

Ron and Mary Kathleen Beales Endowment

The Ron and Mary Kathleen Beales Endowment was established in 2019 following the fulfillment of a bequest commitment of James Ronald Beales. Mary Kathleen passed away August 3, 2012, and James passed away April 28,2019. The endowment will support the programs, services, and initiatives of Illinois State University's Alumni Engagement department as determined by the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement.

Miscellaneous Restricted Gifts

This is a general fund, under which named restricted agreements/funds are held.

Eric D. Tapley, Brothers On Campus, Inc., Scholarship

The Eric D. Tapley, Brothers On Campus, Inc., Scholarship was established in in honor of Brother/Member Eric D. Tapley. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who embodies the qualities that Eric displayed in his life. Eric arrived on the ISU Campus in Fall 1977 as a recruited scholarship student/athlete, from Harper High School on the southside of Chicago. He was a three-year football starter and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He later pursued a second degree at Mennonite College of Nursing where he received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1997. Eric was inducted into the Brothers On Campus, Inc. in April 1978 where he provided leadership, service and commitment to the ISU community while in school. Eric continued living in Bloomington/Normal after graduation where he continued his active engagement with his brothers from B.O.C.Eric was an enthusiastic nurse who fostered camaraderie among his fellow nurses.

Donald L. and Marie E. Dillow Family Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in November 2011 by family and friends who wanted to honor and recognize Donald and Marie Dillow's commitment to furthering education, strong community involvement and close relationship with Illinois State University. During his career as a brick mason, Donald could almost literally claim to have helped lay the foundation of this campus, as he worked on construction of Hovey Hall, Dunn Barton residence halls, Hamilton-Whitten, and DeGarmo Hall. Donald and Marie's commitment to education survives in a total of eight Illinois State alumni amongst their children, grandchildren, and their spouses. It is more than fitting that this scholarship has been established in their names to benefit the children or grandchildren of Illinois State University alumni.

Illinois State University Black Colleagues Association Scholarship

The Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Fund provides general funding for programs, scholarships and named commemorative awards supported by the Illinois State University Black Colleagues Association (ISUBCA). Preference given to underrepresented students.

Additionally Supports: Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Fund, Black Colleagues Association Scholarship, Greek Challenge Scholarship, Office of the President Scholarship, Vice President's Scholarship

Alumni Enhancement Fund

Need Purpose The Alumni Enhancement Fund was established in 2012 to support programming for Illinois State University alumni, for publication of the "Illinois State" magazine, and for general operations of the Alumni Engagement office.

Lewis and Mills Endowed Scholarship

The Lewis and Mills Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014 by Alfred Lewis '90 and Stephen Mills '90. This scholarship will support students with a major within the College of Business or College of Arts and Science who have been diagnosed with cancer or those who have parents that succumbed to cancer or who are cancer survivors. The scholarship honors the memory of their wives Airree Lewis '91 and Tara Mills '91 who both succumbed to personal battles with cancer.

Andrew Purnell Jr. Memorial Scholarship

The Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship was established in March 2021. The scholarship is awarded annually to an Illinois State University student who demonstrates the qualities that Mr. Purnell embodied during his life. Andrew Purnell Jr. '57 passed away March 20, 2020. As a student at Illinois State, Purnell became one of the founders of the student chapter of the NAACP serving as the organization's chapter president. Purnell later worked to establish the ISU Black Colleagues Association in 1984, an alumni affinity group dedicated to keeping Illinois State affordable and accessible to Black students.

Theta Delta Commemorative Public Service Scholarship

The Theta Delta Commemorative Public Service Scholarship (CPSS) was established in 2012 from gifts made by friends, family, and sorority sisters of Carol Johnson, who passed away on November 27, 2004. Members continued to support the scholarship annually and in 2016, representatives' members of the Theta Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., who were instrumental in creating the CPSS, expanded the scholarship to recognize all members initiated at Theta Delta who have transitioned. The scholarship is to support a student who exhibits excellence in academics and community service.

Karyn L. Aguirre Promise Scholarship

Karyn L. Aguirre '86 established the Karyn L. Aguirre Promise Scholarship to give students a sense of hope as they pursue their educational journeys. The scholarship honors Aguirre's mother, who passed on her philanthropic spirit and belief in the value of education. Through her generosity, Aguirre seeks to become a champion and source of encouragement for students, regardless of their background or status.

Student Alumni Council-Marian H. Dean Legacy Scholarship

The Student Alumni Council (SAC)/Marian H. Dean Legacy Scholarship was created in 1989 with funds from SAC. Additional funding was provided from the estate of Marian H. Dean in 1990. The scholarship is to be used for the recruitment and retention of new or current students who are the sons or daughters of at least one Illinois State University alumnus.

Unrestricted Fund

The Unrestricted Fund provides support for the highest priorities of the Illinois State University Foundation.

Memorials General Fund

The Memorials General Fund was established to allow donors to make gifts in memory of a loved one. Gifts to this fund will be reallocated to University's highest priorities unless otherwise specified.

Illinois State University Excellence Fund

The Illinois State University Excellence Fund fund provides unrestricted support to the areas of greatest need as defined by the President and Vice Presidents of Illinois State University.

Jaime and Lizet Flores Endowed Scholarship

The Jaime and Lizet Flores Scholarship was established in 2017 to provide support for an undergraduate student in the College of Business.

Ewing Cultural Center

Ewing Cultural Center is located on 6.5 acres of rolling lawns and themed gardens on the estate once known as Sunset Hill in Bloomington, Illinois. The property is owned and maintained by the Illinois State University Foundation who received the property as a gift from the estate of Hazle Buck Ewing. The Center is home to Ewing Manor, the Theatre at Ewing, and the Genevieve Green Gardens. The Center is used by Illinois State University students and faculty as well as K-12 schools and the community. Gifts to Ewing Cultural Center help the Illinois State University Foundation with restoration work of the Manor and upkeep of the property and gardens both providing educational opportunities year round.

Ewing Cultural Center and Gardens

Fund supports the general operational needs of Ewing Cultural Center. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. Fund supports the general operational needs of Ewing Cultural Center.

The South-Wiese Family Legacy Scholarship Fund

The South and Wiese Families are proud to have a multi-generational legacy at Illinois State University. Michael and Rebecca (South) Wiese created this scholarship which focuses on the tradition and passion their families have for their alma mater. The goal of this scholarship is to honor their families' legacy at ISU by encouraging and facilitating other alumni families to carry on their own legacy as an Illinois State University Redbird.

Sally and Tom Jacob Ewing Manor Fund

The Sally and Tom Jacob Ewing Manor Fund supports maintenance of the Jacob Foundation and Benches named for members of the Jacob family. Funds may also be used for improvements and maintenance of the interior of Ewing Manor buildings.

Latinx Alumni Network Scholarship

The Latinx Alumni Network (LAN) was established and recognized as an affinity network by the Alumni Association in the fall of 2014. The mission of LAN is to establish, maintain and promote a network for the empowerment and advancement of Latinx alumni, students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State University. As a part of LAN's mission, the organization desires to assist students is securing financial support through annual scholarships.

Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship

This endowment fund was established by the Davis family in memory of Vincent Davis who died in 2002 in the line of duty as an employee of the Dallas Fire Department. Vincent graduated from ISU in 1981 in industrial technology. He was a member of the track team. African-American undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Two letters of recommendation and a one-page essay are required. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Investment Pool. The Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship was established by the Davis family in memory of Vincent Davis who died in 2002 in the line of duty as an employee of the Dallas Fire Department. Vincent graduated from ISU in 1981 in industrial technology. He was a member of the Illinois State University track team. The scholarship benefits young students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a college education at Illinois State University and require financial assistance.

Gamma Rho Chapter Alumnae Scholarship

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Lambda Epsilon Chapter Endowed Scholarship

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. The Lambda Epsilon Chapter was chartered at Illinois State University on June 3, 1973, by nine courageous women known as the Blind Nine who exemplified these guiding principles. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Lambda Epsilon Charter at Illinois State University, alumni members of the Chapter are establishing the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship. The scholarship preserves the legacy of the chapter and celebrates the community-conscious, action-oriented organization while assisting Illinois State University students in their pursuit of scholarship and service.

Jones Family Scholarship

The Jones Family Scholarship was established in 2021 in memory of Brian L. C. Jones by his family and friends. After graduating from Drake University, Brian moved to Bloomington/Normal, IL to work for State Farm Insurance. While living and working in Normal, Brian chose Illinois State University to continue his post graduate studies. Brian had very fond memories of ISU since this was the place that he met Natasha Jones '94, the mother of his two beautiful children and the place where his lifetime of commitment began with his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Pi Beta Chapter. The Scholarship will be awarded annually to an Illinois State University student who embodies the qualities that Brian displayed in his life.

Illinois State University Alumni Association Scholarship

In 2009 the Alumni Association launched an initiative to create the Illinois State University Alumni Association Scholarship. This scholarship addresses the accessibility of undergraduate education to students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and leadership and who demonstrate a financial need. Additional consideration is given to students whose immediate family members have attended or graduated from Illinois State University. The Illinois State University Alumni Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization that serves almost 180,000 alumni, the University, and its students. The members of the association strengthen the University's traditions, future growth, and networks of influence.