Sociology and Anthropology Funds

Sociology and Anthropology Study Abroad Travel Fund

The Sociology and Anthropology Study Abroad Travel Fund provideds support for sociology and anthropology students to study abroad.

Additionally Supports: Emeritus Professor Nick Maroules Award

Scott Elliott Endowment in Sociology and Anthropology

In June 2006, Scott M. Elliott made a gift of $250,000 to create the Scott Elliott Endowment benefitting the Departments of Economics, Philosophy, and Sociology and Anthropology. The principal and expendable balances in this endowment were divided equally among three separate endowments. The purpose fo each fund is to support the educational mission of the named department. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. In June 2006, Scott M. Elliott made a gift of $250,000 to create the Scott Elliott Endowment benefiting the Departments of Economics, Philosophy, and Sociology and Anthropology. The Scott Elliott Endowment in Sociology and Anthropology provides financial support for the highest priorities of the Department including graduate or undergraduate participation at scholarly meetings to formally present their research. It is permissible to accumulate the expendable allocation over several years for the purpose of funding expensive priorities that cannot be addressed due to restrictions on annual general revenue funding.

Grand Island Research Fund

The Mather-Klauer Lodge at Grand Island serves as the home base for a joint venture between ISU and the U.S. Department of Forestry on Grand Island. The Grand Island Research Fund supports research efforts of Illinois State University emeriti faculty James Skibo who serves as the Director of the Grand Island Archaeological Project, and is responsible for oversight of the Illinois State University project. Funds may be used to support research, including renovations to the Lodge that aid ISU's research efforts.

Sociology Anthropology Excellence Fund

The Sociology Anthropology General Fund provides support for the activities, programs, and operations, including named commemorative scholarships and awards, of the department.

Additionally Supports: American Sociological Asscn Disting Sociology Grad Student, Charter Department Graduate Excellence Award, Ed Jelks Outstanding Anthropology Senior Award, Outstanding Senior Thesis, Rising Anthropologist Award, Rising Sociologist Award, Robert Dirks Award, Wib Leonard Scholarship in Quantitative/Sociology of Sport

Skibo Scholars Scholarship

The Skibo Scholarship was established to support underserved first time in college students with an interest in anthropology or sociology by building community, creating a sense of belonging, and empowering them with the skills, tools, and connections to flourish in the pursuit of their dreams at ISU.

Ben Keeley Scholarship

Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Ben Keeley Scholarship is awarded to a senior sociology major and recognizes a student who has demonstrated significant involvement in service and/or volunteer work to the community with a monetary award. To be eligible the student must have: 1.Earned at least 90 credit hours 2.Have a 3.0 GPA in the major 3.Submit a completed application 4.Provide at least two letters of recommendation with one being from an Illinois State University faculty member and at least one from a person who is familiar with the service/volunteer work of the student 5.Submit a 600 word essay on the relevance of sociology to service and volunteerism in American communities. The Ben Keeley Scholarship is awarded to a senior sociology major and recognizes a student who has demonstrated significant involvement in service and/or volunteer work to the community with a monetary award. To be eligible the student must have earned at least 90 credit hours, have a 3.0 GPA in the major, and a completed application. Along with an application form, students are required to supply at least two letters of recommendation with one being from an Illinois State University faculty member and at least one from a person who is familiar with the service/volunteer work of the student. In addition, the student will submit a 600 word essay on the relevance of sociology to service and volunteerism in American communities. This award is announced in the spring during the department awards luncheon and ceremony.

Gerontology Scholarship

This fund was established by the Sewing Circle of the Americana Health Care Center of Normal to recognize a student interested in gerontology. Student must be full-time with sophomore or junior standing, have completed six credit hours of study in gerontology course work or have completed three credit hours of study in gerontology and demonstrate work experience within a gerontological setting (may be enrolled for three credit hours at time of application), have a 3.0 grade point average, complete an application form, submit a statement discussing their understanding of the role and potential of older people in society and their personal interest in gerontology, and submit two letters of recommendation"one from a faculty member or administrator at ISU and one from a community setting or agency where the student has been involved in working with older persons. Assets of this endowment are invested in the ISU Endowment Investment Pool. This fund was established by the Sewing Circle of the Americana Health Care Center of Normal to recognize a student interested in gerontology. Student must be full-time with sophomore or junior standing, have completed six credit hours of study in gerontology course work or have completed three credit hours of study in gerontology and demonstrate work experience within a gerontological setting (may be enrolled for three credit hours at time of application), have a 3.0 grade point average, complete an application form, submit a statement discussing their understanding of the role and potential of older people in society and their personal interest in gerontology, and submit two letters of recommendation--one from a faculty member or administrator at ISU and one from a community setting or agency where the student has been involved in working with older persons.

John Kinneman Scholarship (Class of 40)

Established by the Class of 1940 to honor John A. Kinneman who was a faculty member from 1927 until 1963, and chair of the Department of Sociology for ten of those years. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. This scholarship was established by the Class of 1940 to honor John A. Kinneman who was a faculty member from 1927 until 1963 and chair of the Department of Sociology for ten of those years. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in sociology who is at least at junior standing.

Edward and Juliet Jelks Scholarship

The purpose of the fund is to establish a scholarship to commemorate the extensive contributions of Dr. Edward Jelks, founding leader of Illinois State's Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Dr. Martin Nickels Endowed Scholarship Fund for Field School

The Dr. Martin Nickels Endowed Scholarship was established by Wallace Anderson '83 in honor of Dr. Nickels, a former Illinois State University professor whose instruction had produced lifelong personal benefits for Anderson. Martin Nickels was a professor of anthropology at Illinois State University for more than 30 years. He was selected as the Outstanding Teacher at the University in 1991-1992 and 1996-1997. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to undergraduate students for field experience. The financial goal of the scholarship is to provide significant, potentially decision-altering support to qualified students who wish to spend time learning in a field school.

R. Douglas & Janice Luecke Irvine Scholarship in Sociology & Anthropology

The R. Douglas and Janice Luecke Irvine Scholarship in Sociology and Anthropology was established in 2016 by Doug and Janice Irvine to support students majoring in Sociology and Anthropology at Illinois State University. Janice and Doug met in the spring semester of their freshman year at Illinois State Normal University and married in the summer following their graduation from Illinois State University in 1967. Doug completed a comprehensive major in the Social Sciences and taught on the college level for several years, served in administration, and retired after serving as a college financial aid administrator for several Indiana schools. Janice majored in Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired and taught the Blind and Visually Impaired for the South Bend Community School Corporation for 26 years. Doug and Janice strongly believe in giving back to Illinois State and created the R. Douglas and Janice Luecke Irvine Scholarship to support students with financial need.