Deora Inniss of Knoxville receives a $26,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Deora Inniss of Knoxville, a senior at Knoxville Senior High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $26,000 Capital Scholars Honors Program Scholarship for tuition over 4 years. She plans to major in biochemistry.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

At Knoxville High, she is a member of the band, drama club, student council, National Honor Society, 4-H and the Binary Bullets Robotics team.

“I chose UIS because it is a small in-state school, with the opportunities of a big state school, due to its location in the state capital. It is also far enough away for me to spread my wings, but close enough for me to remember my roots.”

Following graduation from UIS, Inniss plans to continue her education by attending medical school. She hopes to become an OB-GYN.

The CAP Honors Program is a selective undergraduate program combining high standards and emphasis on excellence with a small residential college model, enrolling only about 100 first-year students each year.

The program brings together intellectually strong students with talented, dedicated faculty to create a unique academic environment within the greater UIS community.

Capital Scholar Honors students participate in an interdisciplinary core curriculum designed to prepare students for their major and provide leadership opportunities.

In order to receive a $26,000 Capital Scholars Honors Program Scholarship, the student must earn a 24 to a 26 on their ACT or a minimum of 1160 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.76.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Clinton Griffin of Girard awarded dual scholarships at the University of Illinois Springfield

Clinton Griffin, a resident of Girard and accountancy major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Joy Kimler CPA Accountancy Scholarship and the Michael and Pamela Luenz Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Griffin, the youngest of five children, whose parents are deceased, decided early on he would not let anything stop him on his journey to higher education.

He enlisted in the United States Army after high school, and received his associate’s degree at a community college before coming to UIS.

“The professors in the accountancy department seem to care deeply about their students’ success with the program,” said Griffin. “I have witnessed many instances where they have gone above and beyond to explain something in many different ways, so that everyone understands it.”

Griffin said that in grade school teachers told him he had a natural talent for working with numbers.

“When you love numbers, they should be in your everyday life,” Griffin said. “What better way to have numbers all around you every day than to work in the accountancy field.”

Griffin plans to continue his education at UIS and obtain his accountancy master’s degree and become a certified CPA. His goal is to work for the Office of the Illinois Auditor General someday.

He is working full time while pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

“These scholarships have helped me by giving me the ability to work fewer hours and focus more on my studies,” said Griffin. The Joy Kimler CPA Accountancy Scholarship was established to benefit accounting majors who plan to complete the 150-semester hour education requirement to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination.

Michael F. and Pamela M. Luenz have generously supported many educational causes at UIS. The scholarship that bears their name was created for the College of Business and Management, where Michael is an alumnus.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Brey Genenbacher of Camp Point awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Brey Genenbacher, a resident of Camp Point and double major in education and chemistry at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Ann. M. and Raymond Pearson Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Genenbacher, a legacy whose brother also attended UIS, said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

She wasn’t sure what she wanted to teach, however, until her sophomore year in high school when she took a chemistry class.

“It was my favorite class. I looked forward to going every day,” she said. “My chemistry teacher expected a lot out of me, which made me work harder. I soon realized that teaching chemistry was something that I wanted to do with my life.”

Genenbacher says earning the scholarship will help make her a better teacher in the long run. “Less debt will mean I can afford to put more money into my classroom to help my students have the best learning environment possible,” she said.

The Ann M. and Raymond Pearson Capital Scholars Scholarship is awarded to two incoming freshmen participating in the Capital Scholars Honors Program.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

NaKaya Hughes of Champaign admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

NaKaya Hughes of Champaign, a senior at The High School of Saint Thomas More, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 classes. She plans to major in public administration and will play on the UIS Prairie Stars women’s basketball team.

At Saint Thomas More, she is involved in concert band, choir, spring musicals and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She is also a member of the volleyball, basketball and track teams.

“I chose UIS because I feel it’s a great university to prepare me for law school and make career connections,” she said. “I'll be playing women's basketball here. I will also take advantage of the opportunities to study abroad.”

The University of Illinois Springfield is proud to be one of three universities in the world-class University of Illinois System. Nearly 5,000 students enroll each year at UIS seeking a U of I degree in the friendly learning environment of a smaller university. Located in the state capital, UIS has a special mission in public affairs and has produced thousands of leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

For more information on the University of Illinois Springfield, contact the Office of Admissions at 888/977-4847 or go online at www.uis.edu/admissions.

Leanna Churchill of Williamsville awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Leanna Churchill, a resident of Williamsville, and communication major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Dara Drew Memorial Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Churchill, a transfer student, said she became interested in sports communications as a student at Williamsville High School.

“I asked the athletic director if I could take pictures of the school’s sporting events to share on the athletic department’s Twitter and Instagram accounts,” said Churchill. “That provided me with a unique opportunity to get into the field and start networking with people in the local communication and journalism industry.”

Churchill is currently working as in intern at Channel1450.com in Springfield.

“I hope to one day share the stories that help to inspire others and report on events that will be remembered for a lifetime, especially in sports,” she said.

The Dara Drew Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life of a former member of the Saga Communications (Capital Radio) Group. The scholarship is awarded to a UIS student pursuing a major in communication or marketing.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Lauren Capranica of Riverton awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Lauren Capranica, a resident of Riverton, and a double major in elementary education and psychology at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Horace Mann Companies Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Capranica, who serves as a resident assistant this year, transferred to UIS in 2017. She said that coming to UIS was a good decision for her.

“I made the Dean’s List while juggling work, school and my social life,” she said.

Capranica has been heavily involved in Legion of Ladies, a student organization focusing on leadership, service and friendship.

“Giving back to others less fortunate is one of the most rewarding things I have done while at UIS,” she said.

Capranica is on track to graduate in 2020 and hopes to teach first or second grade.

“Working with children is something that I have always loved doing,” she said. “Knowing that I am able to have a positive influence on future generations is something that is very rewarding.”

The Horace Mann Companies Scholarship was established to support undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Services.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Madison Reuss of Nashville awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Madison Reuss, a resident of Nashville, and liberal studies major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Polly Roesch Music Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Reuss says she plans on using her degree to become an English teacher, and her passion for music, which is also her minor, will play a significant role in her method of teaching. She credits influential teachers in her life for guiding her path towards education.

“I wanted to give my future students the same opportunities as successes I experienced going through school,” she said. “I hope to instill great values in my future students to promote literacy.”

Reuss said she chose UIS because it was a perfect fit school for her.

“The campus gives a very personal learning experience where being able to know your professors and have them know you as well is a comforting feeling and makes my education more wholesome,” said Reuss.

Reuss is also a member of the Tri-Sigma Sorority and serves as the volunteer chairman.

The Polly Roesch Music Scholarship was established to support music students at the University of Illinois Springfield. To qualify, students must be enrolled in one or more music ensembles while they hold the scholarship, and are required to submit a sample of their performance.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu.

For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019. If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Brooklyn Blackwell of New Berlin awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Brooklyn Blackwell, a resident of New Berlin, and biology/pre-med major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Springfield Area Soccer Association Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Blackwell, a freshman member of the UIS Women’s Soccer Team, was an avid soccer player prior to coming to UIS.

She currently holds several soccer records at her high school and graduated as salutatorian of her class.

“Soccer has been a huge part of my life,” said Blackwell. “I had an extremely successful academic and athletic career and I want to continue that record at UIS.”

Blackwell plans to continue her education in medical school with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee reconstruction.

“Ever since I tore my ACL, it has intrigued me,” she said. “I am fascinated by ACL reconstruction surgery because it helps people, like me, get back to life, the way it was.”

The SASA Scholarship was established to support student athletes who participated in the Springfield Area Soccer Association as a youth.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2019. If you are interested in creating a scholarship, please contact the UIS Office of Advancement at 217/206-6058 or giftinfo@uis.edu.

Marissa Gooch of Springfield receives a $6,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Marissa Gooch of Springfield, a senior at Springfield High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $6,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. She plans to major in visual arts at UIS.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

At Springfield High, she is a member of the choir and the Anime Club.

She says she chose UIS because “it's a small campus, close to home.”

Following graduation, she plans to become an animation artist.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. To receive $6,000 over four years, students must earn an 18 to a 20 on their ACT or a minimum of 940 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.25.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.