Maxwell Schmidtke of Sheboygan awarded dual University of Illinois Springfield scholarships

Maxwell Schmidtke, a resident of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and sports management major at the
University of Illinois Springfield has been awarded the Byron Booth Memorial Scholarship and Robert and Marilyn Uteg Scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Schmidtke said he chose sports management because of his love for math and golf. He is a member of the UIS Men’s Golf Team.

“Getting a degree in this field of study will allow me to play competitive golf in college and become PGA Professional after college,” he said.

Upon graduation, Schmidtke plans to become a certified PGA Professional. “I hope to work at a golf course and make an impact on the lives of others,” he said. He also hopes to play in a major championship in the future. “Working as a PGA Professional will give me the resources necessary to improve my skills and ultimately accomplish this lifelong goal,” he said.

The Bryon Booth Memorial Scholarship is awarded to first-year students at UIS. Students transitioning from high school to a university benefit from speakers and service opportunities, which aid in retention and success rates.

The Robert and Marilyn Uteg Scholarship honors a couple who were dedicated to customer service. Robert spent 31 years as an A.G. Edwards & Sons investment manager, and Marilyn worked her entire life for AT&T. Bob Uteg once defined success as, “finding happiness not only in your own lives, but in helping others to be happy also.” The Uteg scholarship is awarded to a high-merit freshman student at UIS.

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 uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships. The deadline to apply for institutional scholarships is February 15, 2020.

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

Maxwell Schmidtke of Sheboygan receives a $20,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Maxwell Schmidtke of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a senior at North High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $20,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. He plans to major in sports management and play on the UIS Golf team.

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 North High, he plays basketball and golf and is a member of student council.

“I decided to come to UIS because the campus feels like a second home to me,” he said. “The relationship that Coach (Frank) Marsaglia, a couple of the players, and I were able to create over a couple of hours on a campus visit is a prelude to the relationship that we will create over the next four years. I am really looking forward to making an impact on and off the course, and accomplishing the goals that we set as a team.”

Schmidtke is undecided about his future, but would like to start a career related to golf following graduation from UIS.

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 $20,000 over four years, students must earn a 24 to a 26 on their ACT or a minimum of 1160 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 4.0 or above.

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/.

Eleni Monroe of Hilliard, Ohio receives a $30,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Eleni Monroe of Hilliard, Ohio, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $30,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. At UIS, she plans to major in chemistry with a focus in pre-medicine and play on the UIS Golf team.

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 Hilliard Davidson High, she plays golf and is a member of the orchestra and the National Honor Society. She is also a Freshman Focus Leader and a Renaissance Board Member.

“I chose UIS because I liked the campus, the educational opportunities and was offered an opportunity to play golf,” she said.

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to attend dental school to eventually become an orthodontist.

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 $30,000 over four years, students must earn a 27 to a 29 on their ACT or a minimum of 1280 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 4.0 or above.

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/.

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.

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.

Paula Valdivia of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Paula Valdivia of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2018 term.

Valdivia recently graduated from Centro Educativo Siglo XXI in Xalapa. While there she participated as a member of the basketball and golf teams.

She says she chose UIS because, “I liked the golf program and the academic part of the degree in math sciences.”

Valdivia plans to major in mathematical sciences and pursue a career in the automotive industry upon graduation. She will also be a member of the UIS Women’s Golf Team.

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.

Mariah Rodriguez of Joliet awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Mariah Rodriguez, a resident of Joliet and social work major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Manny Velasco Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

 Rodriguez said participating in mission trips while she was in high school ignited her passion for helping others and led her to seek a degree in social work.

“Knowing I was helping other people gave me an amazing feeling that I wanted to feel for the rest of my life,” she said.

Rodriguez said her intended degree in social work and minor in psychology will put her on a path for working directly with children, whether it’s in a hospital or foster care setting.

On campus, she continued her community service as a member of Christian Student Fellowship, where she is active in mission trips. This school year alone, she will travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, Houston, Texas and Haiti for community service. She is active in Leadership for Life and is also a member of the UIS Women’s Soccer Team, which she calls her second family.

“UIS has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait for the next few years,” she said.

The Manny Velasco Scholarship was established to honor the former UIS tennis coach. Velasco coached the Prairie Stars Tennis Team for 33 years before his retirement.

To qualify for the Manny Velasco Scholarship, student athletes must be in good academic standing with the University and have a demonstrated financial need.

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, 2018.

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

Rece Finck of Hopedale receives a $20,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Rece Finck, a senior at Olympia High School in Stanford, Illinois, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield and awarded a $20,000 Capital Scholars Honors Scholarship for tuition over four years.

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 Olympia High School, Finck plays baseball and is a member of the Student Council, Bank Board, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a Freshmen Mentor.

At UIS, Finck will play baseball for the Prairie Stars as he pursues a degree with an emphasis in sports management. He also plans to seek a master’s degree upon graduation.

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 $20,000 Capital Scholars Honors 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 3.0.

 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/.

Sam Geraci of Steger earns a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Sam Geraci, a resident of Steger and communication major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Luedke Family Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Geraci, a baseball fanatic, chose to pursue a communication degree with dreams of working for a professional sports team.

“My dream is to work for one of the major professional teams in Chicago,” said Geraci, who is also a UIS baseball player.

Geraci transferred to UIS from Parkland Community College in Champaign, where he also played baseball.

“Baseball is a big part of my life and helped lead me to UIS,” said Geraci.

“I was recruited by Coach Ramirez and fell in love once I laid eyes on the campus. The scholarship will help my family in more ways than can be known,” he said.

The Luedke Family Scholarship is awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better.

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, 2018.

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

Lanie Hicks of Tinley Park awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Lanie Hicks, a resident of Tinley Park and business administration major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Kent Weber Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Hicks said she chose to pursue a career in business administration in order to follow in her father’s footsteps and hopefully someday, take over the family insurance business.

As a UIS basketball player, Hicks also dreams of playing in the NCAA Tournament.

“I visited UIS with two of my previous teammates from high school. Coach Kost offered us all three a spot,” she said. “We felt like this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up, so we all committed to play basketball together for the next four years.”

Despite an ankle injury last year, Hicks doesn’t let anything slow her down. She worked hard to come back and play this season, volunteers with the UIS Necessary Steps Mentoring Program and works hard to maintain a GPA above a 3.6.

To be eligible for the Kent Weber Scholarship, students must meet high academic standards and be studying business or management.

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, 2018.

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