When Maggee Bleyer ’25 walked across the commencement stage in May, she thought of the family, friends, teachers, and mentors who helped her get there. Among them was a person she’d met only about a year earlier.
Bleyer is the inaugural recipient of the Steve Berger Scholarship that benefits an outstanding School of Communication student with demonstrated financial need. Bleyer was naturally thrilled to receive the scholarship, but an extra layer of validation came in Berger’s request to meet her.
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“We clicked right away, and he’s been almost like a cheerleader for me,” Bleyer said. “He’s told me how I’m going to be successful, and it’s felt good to hear that. My parents tell me that, too, but it’s good to hear it from someone else.”
Berger ’76, M.S. ’77, is a semiretired advertising and marketing executive who credits much of his success to the opportunities he was afforded at Illinois State. He was involved in student radio and TV, just as Bleyer has been. Berger sees a little of himself in the first recipient of his scholarship, whom he describes as a “dynamo.” He’s excited to see what’s next for her.
“She’s figuring out, and I’m going to try to help her with that, but she’s got all the right assets to find her way,” Berger said.
“It’s all about giving back now. … That’s my mission now.”
Steve Berger
Berger’s support of Illinois State goes beyond monetary gifts; he serves on the School of Communications’ advisory board and speaks to classes every time he returns to campus.
“It’s all about giving back now,” Berger said. “Sharing my experience with future generations and helping them—whether it’s financially or through speaking or giving advice—that’s what I want to do. That’s my mission now.”
Bleyer considers herself a lucky recipient of Berger’s generosity.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I’ve tried to uphold the values of his scholarship. I have a 4.0 and have been involved in RSOs (registered student organizations). I usually say ‘yes’ to opportunities,” she said. “My way of paying it back has been to be the student he thought of when he created the scholarship.”
To learn more about supporting Illinois State students, visit Giving.IllinoisState.edu.
