The scholarship is named in honor of the late Robert G. Bone, above right, president of Illinois State University from 1956-67.

Fourteen students at Illinois State University have been chosen Robert G. Bone Scholars for the 2013-14 school year.

The Bone Scholarship, the highest universitywide honor given to undergraduate students, includes a monetary award from the Bone Scholarship endowment. Pictures of the recipients are displayed in the Bone Student Center and their names are engraved on a plaque displayed permanently there. The 14 new scholars will be introduced to university administrators, the selection committee, and current and alumni Bone Scholars during a September 8 luncheon. They will also be recognized at the University’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

The scholarship is named in honor of the late Robert G. Bone, president of Illinois State University from 1956-67. Bone Scholars are selected through a rigorous campuswide competition on the basis of their scholarly achievements and their engagement and leadership in activities in the university community and beyond.

Invited finalists submit a comprehensive portfolio including several essays and statements, a project, and five letters of recommendation. The mean grade point average of this year’s Bone Scholars is 3.92 on a 4.0 scale.

Selection committee members are: John Baldwin, Laura Erskine, Susan Kossman, Katherine Lewis, Miranda Lin, and Julie Schumacher of the Illinois State faculty; current Bone Scholar Megan Lawler; Foundation Association representative Marc Bulandr; Bone Scholarship alum Roy Magnuson; and Alumni Association representative Michele Guadalupe.

The new Bone Scholars are:

  • Molly Beil, public relations, Frankfort
  • Jacob Birlingmair, biological sciences, Normal
  • Adrienne Boni, music therapy/music performance, Villa Park
  • Kelsey Bunner, acting, Canton
  • Teresa Finegan, nursing, Palatine
  • Jessica Garber, English/political science, Orland Hills
  • Thomas Hopper, elementary education, Bloomington
  • Jason Hufendick, business administration/general finance, Jacksonville
  • Jade Kestian, psychology, Normal
  • Brian Kulaga, special education, Elmhurst
  • Joseph Powers, biological sciences, Orland Park
  • Brian Rohman, communications, East Peoria
  • Andrew Steinacher, computer physics, Godfrey
  • Mackenzie Walker, molecular biology/psychology, Troy

The announcement was made by Kim Pereira, director of the Honors Program.