Members of Illinois State University’s Black Colleagues Association (ISUBCA) continue their efforts to support students financially. Funds from scholarships were awarded last fall during Homecoming, including the Judge Russell R. DeBow Scholarship and Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship.
Senior Lorryn Neely of Flossmoor, junior Gordon Booker of Gurnee, junior Raven Nance of Chicago Heights and freshman Jazmin Summerrise of Alsip received $1,000 from the DeBow fund. Neely, Booker, and Nance are past recipients. They maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to receive the scholarship on a renewable basis. Formerly known as the Black Colleagues Scholarship, the fund was renamed to honor DeBow, who graduated in 1935. He was instrumental in the founding of the organization and is a charter member.
Junior Nicole Black of Chicago was awarded $1,000 from the Davis scholarship. Established by his family, the fund honors the memory of the 1981 graduate. He died in the line of duty as an employee of the Dallas fire department.
Freshman Briani Bell of Quincy received the President’s Book Scholarship, funded by the Office of the President. Sophomore Tiara Mackins of Decatur; freshmen Hana Ayele of Bloomington, Darius Hennington of Chicago, and Lester D. Hudson II of Peoria all received the Vice President for Student Affairs Book Scholarship. It has been awarded since 2008.
The recipients of each scholarship are selected by the ISUBCA. Entering and continuing African American undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Applications are available online at www.Alumni.ilstu.edu/isubca or by e-mailing khowell@IllinoisState.edu. The application deadline is May 1. Contributions to the DeBow and Davis scholarships can be made online at www.Advancement.ilstu.edu.
