Biological Sciences Funds

School of Biological Sciences General Fund

The Biology Fund supports the general operating needs of the School of Biological Sciances at Illinois State University. The School of Biological Sciences advances the growing body of biological knowledge through synergistic programs in research, teaching, and service. Their faculty conducts basic and applied research to educate, mentor, and train successive generations of scientists and to command national and international recognition. The School of Biological Sciences General Fund supports the general operating needs of the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University. The School of Biological Sciences advances the growing body of biological knowledge through synergistic programs in research, teaching, and service. Faculty conduct basic and applied research to educate, mentor, and train successive generations of scientists and to command national and international recognition.

Additionally Supports: Gerry Grace D’Elia Memorial Award for Undergrad Teaching Assistants, Jennifer Grogg Student Teaching Stipend Award, Outstanding Biology Teaching Assistants

Robert D. Weigel Fund

This endowment was established by the Beta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Sigma Society in honor of the retirement of Robert D. Weigel. The research grant is awarded based on proposals submitted to the Phi Sigma grant committee. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Robert D. Weigel Fund was established by the Beta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Sigma Society in honor of the retirement of Robert D. Weigel, who taught at Illinois State for 24 years and served as an advisor to Phi Sigma Society. Later significant gifts were given by other faculty and friends and an estate gift from Weigel. This fund is established by the Beta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Sigma Society to honor Dr. Robert D. Weigel upon his retirement. The fund will provide financial resources to bring outstanding scientists to the ISU campus each year. These distinguished professionals would give seminars and workshops and be available to students to discuss their research and their philosophical approach to science. The fund will also be available to provide student research awards to graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Biological Sciences.

R. Omar and Evelyn Rilett Family Life Sciences Lectures Series

The R. Omar and Evelyn Rilett Family Life Sciences Lectures Series was established in 2007 by Evelyn Rilett, widow of R. Omar Rilett, to honor the Rilett Family. The purpose of the fund is to bring outstanding life scientists and lectures to ISU for the benefit of the academic and local communities. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The R. Omar and Evelyn Rilett Family Life Sciences Lectures Series was established in 2007 by Evelyn Rilett, widow of R. Omar Rilett, to honor the Rilett Family. The purpose of the fund is to bring outstanding life scientists and lectures to ISU for the benefit of the academic and local communities.

Alumni Seminar Series in Genetics Fund

This endowment was established in 1998 by a group of former students of Herman E. Brockman in honor of his retirement. The fund is used to support the alumni seminar series in genetics in the Department of Biological Sciences. If additional dollars are available the fund may be used to finance awards to graduate and exceptional undergraduate student(s) in biology for their attendance at national or international scientific meetings in the field of genetics. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Herman E. Brockman Fund was established in 1998 by a group of former students of Herman E. Brockman in honor of his retirement. The fund supports the alumni seminar series in genetics in the Department of Biological Sciences. If additional dollars are available the fund may be used to finance awards to graduate and exceptional undergraduate student(s) in biology for their attendance at national or international scientific meetings in the field of genetics.

Conservation Biology Teaching and Research Endowment

This endowment was established by Dale Birkenholz in 2001. The funds are used to facilitate collaboration between biological sciences at Illinois State University and Sugar Grove Nature Center to provide teaching and research opportunities for students in ecology and conservation biology. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Conservation Biology Teaching and Research Endowment was established by Dale Birkenholz in 2001. The funds are used to facilitate collaboration between Biological Sciences at Illinois State University and Sugar Grove Nature Center to provide teaching and research opportunities for students in Ecology and Conservation Biology.

Keith and Nita Kattner Graduate Fellowship in Neuroscience

To expand Biological Sciences' research effort & recognition in neuroscience; to provide neuroscience research access to the customary amenities & intellectual climate that exist in a university setting; to recruit highly qualified graduate students interested in neuroscience & provide them an exceptional opportunity to earn their graduate degrees; to increase external funding in neuroscience within the Department. To expand Biological Sciences' research effort & recognition in neuroscience; to provide neuroscience research access to the customary amenities & intellectual climate that exist in a university setting; to recruit highly qualified graduate students interested in neuroscience & provide them an exceptional opportunity to earn their graduate degrees; to increase external funding in neuroscience within the Department.

Carl and Maurice Cook Scholarship

The Carl and Maurice Cook Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 through a bequest of Maurice Cook. He directed that a permanent scholarship fund be established in memory of him and his brother, Carl, both graduates of Illinois State Normal University. Maurice earned a degree in biology in 1934. The scholarship benefits students majoring in biology. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Carl and Maurice Cook Scholarship was established in 1999 through the bequest of Maurice. Carl and Maurice were both brothers and graduated of Illinois State Normal University. Maurice earned a degree in biology in 1934.

Peggy Redshaw and Jerry Lincecum Endowed Scholarship in Biological Sciences

The Peggy Redshaw and Jerry Lincecum Endowed Scholarship in Biological Sciences was established in 2019. The scholarship will support a student majoring in Biological Science at Illinois State University.

Additionally Supports: Peggy Redshaw and Jerry Lincecum Endowed Scholarship in

Armstrong Costa Rican Rainforest Studies Scholarship

The Armstrong Costa Rican rainforest Studies Scholarship Fund was created to assist graduate students with their expenses that are incurred when taking the Rain Forest ecology course for the Biological Sciences major.

Charlena Wallen Scholarship

The Charlena Wallen Memorial Scholarship in Biology was established in memory of Charlena Wallen by her husband Donald Wallen, a building services worker in Felmley Hall in 2002. The Scholarship is awarded annually to a student conducting research in Felmley Hall.

Additionally Supports: Charlena Wallen Memorial Scholarship in Biology

Dr. Fred Gletten Scholarship

Fred Gletten gives this scholarship as part of his contribution to the school that helped to nurture his foundation in science and challenged his scientific reasoning. He would like to help pave the way for future scientists yearning to make a contribution to the institution of medicine. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Dr. Fred Gletten Scholarship was established by Fred Gletten as part of his contribution to the school that helped to nurture his foundation in science and challenged his scientific reasoning. Dr. Gletten wanted to pave the way for future scientists yearning to make a contribution to the institution of medicine.

Fund for Disease Control and Prevention Research

The purpose of this fund is to provide additional resources to Illinois State University faculty conducting research in the area of human disease control and prevention.

Dr. Roger C. Anderson Restoration Ecology Research Fund

Roger C. Anderson joined the ISU faculty in 1976 where he was a University distinguished professor emeritus of plant ecology after his retirement in 2008. Over the course of his career at seven universities, he authored many publications; was an invited speaker at many symposia, conferences, and professional meetings; served on multiple boards and commissions; and received many awards, including the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award and the University Service Award at Illinois State University. This fund will be used to support guest speakers and/or student attendance at symposia related to Roger Anderson's work, including savannah and prairie restoration, and/or environmental science. Roger C. Anderson joined the ISU faculty in 1976 where he was a University distinguished professor emeritus of plant ecology after his retirement in 2008. Over the course of his career at seven universities, he authored many publications; was an invited speaker at many symposia, conferences, and professional meetings; served on multiple boards and commissions; and received many awards, including the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award and the University Service Award at Illinois State University. This fund will be used to support guest speakers and/or student attendance at symposia and also student research related to Roger Anderson's work, including savannah and prairie restoration, and/or environmental science.

Roger C. and M. Rebecca Anderson Natural History Endowment

Roger Anderson joined the Illinois State faculty in 1976. He was named as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Plant Ecology after his retirement there in 2008. During his career he authored many peer-reviewed publications and a map of historic Illinois prairies, co-edited a book published by Cambridge University Press, made many professional presentations, mentored many doctoral and master's degree students, served as an officer for many professional organizations, and chaired and served on many McLean County committees and boards. Roger and his wife, M. Rebecca Anderson, established this fund in 2012 to foster interactions between natural history scientists, practitioners involved in restoration and management of natural systems, and the general public.

Shears Conservation Biology Endowment

The Shears Conservation Biology Endowment was established to provide financial assistance to those students who are studying in the field of conservation biology.

Dr. David W. Borst, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

David W. Borst was a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University from 1985-2005. He was well known for his research on arthropod endocrinology, particularly insects and crustaceans. This fund was established to provide scholarships for undergraduate research students. Dr. Borst's commitment to mentoring undergraduates in research is memorialized in this scholarship.

Insect Biology Research Program

This fund was established by the faculty of the School of Biological Sciences to assist in funding the Insect Research Program. The funds may be used to support all costs related to research/publications/scientific meetings, and student training. Costs may include, food to feed the insect colonies, lights, paper, electric timers for insect maintenance, page charges, phone, photocopy, express mailing related to the research program, salary for lab assistants and registration and travel costs for students who are attending scientific meetings to present their research results.

Biology Botanical Gardens

Biology Education Fund

The Biology Education Fund supports the biology teacher education program.

Darling Biochemistry-Molecular Biology

The Wildlife Conservation Club Fund provides support for the programs and operations of the Wildlife Conservation Club Registered Student Organization at Illinois State University. Under the direction of the School of Biological Sciences, the club raises awareness of a variety of issues, such as endangered species, wildlife trafficking, and the pet trade. The group sponsors a variety of volunteer and fundraising opportunities to support wildlife parks, rehabilitation centers, animal shelters, and more.

Bird Study and Student Fellowship Fund

The Bird Study and Student Fellowship Fund was established by the faculty of the School of Biological Sciences to benefit students who are conducting research on birds. The fund provides programmatic support, mainly in summer, for Illinois State University undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting ecological and behavioral research on free-living birds. This support is for, but not limited to, supplies, travel costs, student stipend, and equipment.

Cheung, Brown, Phi Sigma Award for Student Publications

The Cheung, Brown, Phi Sigma Award for Student Publications was established in 2009 by H. Tak Cheung to acknowledge the contributions of undergraduate and graduate students to the scientific literature through their publications at Illinois State University. In 2010 Lauren Brown and Phi Sigma matched Cheung's initial gift to bring the endowment to full funding. Cheung joined Illinois State in 1979 as an assistant professor of Microbiology. After rising to the rank of full professor, he became department Chair in 1997, and Executive Director when it became the School of Biological Sciences in 2008. Candidates must be in good standing at Illinois State, be first author on a publication prior to or within 12 months after graduation, and focus on research for their thesis or dissertation. One or two awards will be made annually. The agreement serves to document the criteria of an existing fund. The Cheung, Brown, Phi Sigma Award for Student Publications was established in 2009 by H. Tak Cheung to acknowledge the contributions of undergraduate and graduate students to the scientific literature through their publications at Illinois State University. In 2010 Lauren Brown and Phi Sigma matched Cheung's initial gift to bring the endowment to full funding. Cheung joined Illinois State in 1979 as an assistant professor of Microbiology. After rising to the rank of full professor, he became department Chair in 1997, and Executive Director when it became the School of Biological Sciences in 2008. Candidates must be in good standing at Illinois State, be first author on a publication prior to or within 12 months after graduation, and focus on research for their thesis or dissertation. One or two awards will be made annually.

Bohn Nielsen Healthcare Preprofessional Scholarship

This endowment was established by Drs. Kathryn Bohn and Thomas Nielsen, in 2001. The scholarship is awarded to a full time junior or senior student participating in the Healthcare Preprofessional program. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Bohn Nielsen Healthcare Preprofessional Scholarship was established by Drs. Kathryn Bohn and Thomas Nielsen, in 2001. The scholarship is awarded to a full time junior or senior student participating in the Healthcare Preprofessional program.

Jennifer Grogg Fund for Biology Teacher Education

Award is to assist with student teacher expenses for those pursuing teaching degree for biology

Dr. Fred Gletten Endowed Chair in Biological Sciences

The Dr. Fred Gletten Endowed Chair in Biological Sciences was established through an estate gift from Dr. Fred Gletten '71. Dr. Gletten's gift honors the foundation in science he received at Illinois State and will support the scholarly work of a distinguished biology faculty member. Gletten came to Illinois State in 1968 on a football scholarship. He majored in biology and initially aspired to become a high school biology teacher and football coach. After graduating with a degree in biological sciences, Gletten completed a master's degree in microbiology and a medical degree at Howard University. He later completed an internship, residency, and fellowship in gastroenterology at UCLA Wadsworth V.A. Hospital. After finishing comprehensive training, Gletten taught for more than 20 years as an assistant clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. He also established a successful medical practice in Los Angeles alongside two other gastroenterologists.

Barbara Bathe Award

Additionally Supports: Bathe Award

Omar Rilett Awards

This endowment was established by colleagues in honor of R. Omar Rilett. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate or exceptional undergraduate student enrolled in biology programs. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Omar Rilett Award was established by colleagues in honor of R. Omar Rilett. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate or exceptional undergraduate student enrolled in biology programs.

Additionally Supports: Omar Rilett Award

Dr. John B. Colwell Scholarship

This endowment was established in 1981 by the widow of Dr. John B. Colwell in his honor and memory. Colwell died in 1970 after practicing medicine in Champaign, IL. He attended Illinois State Normal University. The purpose of the fund is to provide recognition and award to an outstanding pre-med student(s). Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. This endowment was established in 1981 by the widow of Dr. John B. Colwell in his honor and memory. Colwell died in 1970 after practicing medicine in Champaign, IL. He attended Illinois State Normal University. The purpose of the fund is to provide recognition and award to an outstanding pre-med student(s).

Edward L. Mockford and Charles F. Thompson Summer Fellowship Endowment

The Edward L. Mockford and Charles F. Thompson Summer Fellowship Endowment supports a fellowship awarded to a graduate student involved in research in the Department of Biological Sciences. The Mockford/Thompson Summer Fellowship was created in 2008 by combining monies from two existing funds--the Edward L. Mockford Summer Fellowship Endowment created in 1986 in honor of Mockford's retirement and the Charles F. and Karen M. Thompson Endowment establised in 2007 in honor of Thompson's retirement. The new fund was set up at the request of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Phi Sigma and with permission of all donors. The Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Edward L. Mockford and Charles F. Thompson Summer Fellowship Endowment supports a fellowship awarded to a graduate student involved in research in the Department of Biological Sciences. The Mockford/Thompson Summer Fellowship was created in 2008 by combining monies from two existing funds--the Edward L. Mockford Summer Fellowship Endowment created in 1986 in honor of Mockford's retirement and the Charles F. and Karen M. Thompson Endowment established in 2007 in honor of Thompson's retirement. The new fund was set up at the request of the Beta Lambda Chapter of Phi Sigma and with permission of all donors.

Additionally Supports: Mockford and Thompson Fellowship

Arvegenix Research Assistant Fund

The Arvegenix Research Assistant Fund was established following a $25,000 gift from Arvegenix to provide research assistantship support for Biology graduate students.

Jack Ward Fund

This endowment was established in 1983 by friends and colleagues of Jack Ward. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student majoring in biological sciences. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Jack Ward Fund was established in 1983 by friends and colleagues of Jack Ward. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student majoring in biological sciences.

Dr. H. Tak Cheung Endowment for the General Education Teaching Assistant Award

This fund was established by H. Tak Cheung to acknowledge the contributions of teaching assistants in the Introduction to Biology course he developed and teaches for non-majors, and to support projects to further the mission of general education in Biology. Cheung joined Illinois State in 1979 as an assistant professor of Microbiology. After rising to the rank of full professor, he became department Chair in 1997, and Executive Director when it became the School of Biological Sciences in 2008. Candidates must be in good standing at Illinois State, demonstrate dedication and commitment in developing and teaching a nonmajor biology course, and submit an application.

Additionally Supports: Dr. H. Tak Cheung Endowment for the General Education Teachi

Dr. Robert H. Gray Biology/Ecology Scholarship

This endowment was established in 2005 by Robert Gray. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and support graduate students studying ecology, evolutionary biology, and/or ecological sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Dr. Robert H. Gray Biology/Ecology Scholarship was established in 2005 by Robert Gray. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and support graduate students studying ecology, evolutionary biology, and/or ecological sciences in the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences.