Cody Rogers ’21 graduated with a bachelor’s in theatre teacher education and an endorsement in psychology. He was surprised and thrilled to be awarded the Diana Corley Schnapp Endowed Scholarship. “I felt the financial weight I have always been carrying get lighter, and I could breathe more easily,” he said.
Dylan Toth is a junior at Illinois State double majoring in family and consumer sciences teacher education and political science. He plans to become a family and consumer sciences teacher while advocating for policy that is beneficial to students and teachers.
Tyler Bloomfield studies music education and music composition at Illinois State University. Bloomfield’s passion for music is evident through the time he took to study composition strategies and write music before beginning coursework for his major.
A recent estate gift commitment from Art Professor Emerita Susan Amster will further the study of art at Illinois State University. The gift honors her twin sister, Stephanie Amster, who died at age 80 on February 12, 2021. Both sisters created a legacy of teaching and inspiring as art faculty members at Illinois State.
Thank-A-Donor Days is a Redbird tradition that began in 2017 inviting scholarship recipients to write thank you letters to their donors.
Illinois State University raised more than $25.1 million in private support during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021. It was the third highest private support total in university history.
Scholarships allow students to make the most of their time on campus. For Victor Fuentes, Grace Kinnicutt, and Kiara Price, private support has enabled them to engage in their studies, pursue their passions, and embrace every opportunity that comes their way.
College of Business Dean Emerita Dixie Mills retired in 2007 from a 37-year career at Illinois State. In November 2020, a new connection to campus arrived via mail. Dr. Mills received a letter from Luke Seymour, the most recent recipient of the Dixie L. Mills Scholarship.
Scholarships give students needed funds to pay for educational expenses, but they often end up being about more than money. For students like Julie Martinez, Andrew Terry, Grace Kinnicutt, and Ryan Hickenbottom, donor-funded scholarships offer encouragement, purpose, and drive. Read what receiving a scholarship has meant to Julie, Andrew, Grace, and Ryan.
Individual donors have always been integral to the College of Education’s success, especially during Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State.
