McLean County High School Grads Guaranteed $27,000 in Annual Scholarships to Attend Illinois Wesleyan
Feb. 7, 2018
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— Students who graduate from a McLean County High School this spring and are admitted to attend Illinois Wesleyan University are now guaranteed no less than $27,000 in annual scholarships – for a total of $108,000 over four years – thanks to the McLean County Scholarship.
Illinois Wesleyan President Eric Jensen officially established the McLean County Scholarship, made possible by the Illinois Wesleyan Associates, with an announcement Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the Niepagen Room at Illinois Wesleyan’s Shirk Center.
“The Illinois Wesleyan Associates’ support of the McLean County Scholarship will ensure access to local students who may not otherwise have considered Illinois Wesleyan University, raising awareness of how donors contribute to make such a high-quality education affordable," said IWU president Eric Jensen. "Both Illinois Wesleyan and the Associates recognize the importance of recruiting remarkable students with a connection to the local community. We believe the McLean County Scholarship will entice more high-achieving local students to choose Illinois Wesleyan, a national gem right here in their backyard.”
Jensen was joined at Wednesday’s announcement event by Willie Brown, President of the Illinois Wesleyan Associates and Vice-Chair of the Illinois Wesleyan Board of Trustees, State Representative Dan Brady, McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre, City of Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and Town of Normal Mayor Chris Koos.
"This significant financial incentive offered through Illinois Wesleyan University is an example of the sort of collaboration and community partnership essential to meeting the needs of our workforce," said Robert S. Miller, chair of the Workforce Development Committee, BN Advantage. "Investments in the youth of McLean County align well with our strategy to keep our talented future leaders within our region to innovate, lead change, and grow businesses resulting in further economic diversification."
Approximately seven percent of students currently enrolled at Illinois Wesleyan are from McLean County high schools. The McLean County Scholarship aims to increase enrollment of local students with a connection to the community.
Students from the following high schools are eligible for the McLean County Scholarship: Bloomington, Bloomington Central Catholic, Calvary Christian, Cornerstone Christian, Heyworth, LeRoy, Lexington, Normal Community, Normal West, Olympia, Ridgeview, Tri-Valley and University High School.
McLean County high school guidance counselors were informed of the scholarship in January. Students graduating from a McLean County high school will be eligible for the scholarship with their official Illinois Wesleyan University application. No additional application is necessary. Prospective students must be admitted (without restrictions) and live in on-campus housing to be eligible for the scholarship. More information about the McLean County Scholarship can be found by navigating to: iwu.edu/mclean.
The McLean County Scholarship Fund was established by the Illinois Wesleyan Associates, a group of local business and community leaders committed to local education. The four-year campaign sets out to raise $2 million ($500,000 per year) for the McLean County Scholarship Fund which will provide support that guarantees future McLean County admitted students no less than $27,000 in scholarship support in their financial aid packages awarded. The group was formed in 1953 by Adlai Rust, former president and chairman of State Farm Insurance Company, in order to strengthen the ties between the McLean County community and Illinois Wesleyan faculty, staff and students. More information about the Illinois Wesleyan Associates can be found by navigating to: iwu.edu/associates.
By John Twork