Alumni Engagement Funds
Total funds: 21
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 Scholarship, Greek Challenge Scholarship, Office of the President Scholarship, Vice President's Scholarship
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.
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.
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 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.
Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship
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.
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.
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.
Alumni Enhancement Fund
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.
Additionally Supports: Sheehan Onuma Scholarship
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.
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.
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.
Additionally Supports: Latin@ Alumni Network Scholarship
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
David M. and Angela M. Sheehan Onuma Scholarship
The David M. and Angela M. Sheehan Onuma Scholarship was established by Angela M. Sheehan Onuma as she saw a need to help support internships in the Alumni Advancement office.
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.