Savannah Lashbrook of Marshall awarded an $18,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Savannah Lashbrook of Marshall, a senior at Marshall Community High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2020 and awarded an $18,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. At UIS, she plans to major in elementary education.

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 Marshall Community High School, she is a member of the volleyball and track teams. She is also part of the Marshall Leadership Team, Interact Service Club, Peers Actively Leading and Serving and International Club.

“I chose UIS because I love the campus and how welcoming everyone is,” she said. “I am excited for the art program at UIS. It is a big campus experience with less students, making for a great student-teacher ratio.”

Following graduation, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher, possibly teaching art.

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 $18,000 over four years, students must earn a 24-26 on their ACT or a minimum 1160 SAT score and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.76 or above.

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/.

Students may apply for admission to UIS free of charge for the summer and fall 2020 terms. Apply online at uis.edu/admissions/applytoday/.

Kaytlan Brown of Waverly receives a $16,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Kaytlan Brown of Waverly, a senior at Waverly High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for fall semester 2019 and awarded a $16,000 Lincoln Merit 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.

Brown plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work and hopes to work in the field upon her graduation.

At Waverly High School, she is involved as a member of the student council, National Honor Society, Jared’s Keepers and plays softball.

Brown said she specifically chose UIS because of the successful social work program.

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 $16,000 over four years, students must earn a 21 to a 23 on their ACT or a minimum of 1060 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/.

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.

Laney Gowin of Casey receives a $14,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Laney Gowin of Casey, a senior at Casey-Westfield High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $14,000 Lincoln Scholarship for tuition over four years. She plans to major in elementary education at UIS and play on the Prairie Stars softball 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 Casey-Westfield she is a member of the varsity softball and volleyball teams. She is also an active member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and is a class officer. Gowin volunteers two hours a day at the elementary school working with first and second graders.

“I chose UIS because it has a beautiful campus that feels safe,” she said. “I like that it has a small-town feel and the class sizes will be good for me as a student-athlete.”

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to earn her special education endorsement in order to work with students with behavioral disordered. She hopes to make a difference in their lives.

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 $14,000 over four years, students must earn a 21 to a 23 on their ACT or a minimum of 1060 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/.

Britney Law of Litchfield admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Britney Law of Litchfield, a senior at Litchfield Senior High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 classes. She plans to major in elementary education at UIS.

At Litchfield High, she has been involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for three years and was vice president for two years. She also was a member of FFA for two years and Pop Culture Club for one year. She played on the softball team for a year.

“I decided to go to UIS because it was close to my family and gave me all the classes and opportunities I would need to become a Kindergarten teacher,” she said.

Following graduation, she plans to travel and explore the country before starting her teaching career.

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.

Emily Zimmerman of Cary awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Emily Zimmerman, a resident of Cary and clinical laboratory science major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Leona Stanford Vollintine Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Although she already had an interest in the medical field, Zimmerman said she developed a love of microscopes during her high school biology class.

It was a meeting with a UIS Admissions Counselor that turned her onto a career in clinical laboratory science. “He told me about the CLS major and my potential career choices after I graduated,” said Zimmerman. “This ultimately sealed the deal for what college I would attend after high school.”

Zimmerman is now actively involved on campus in the Clinical Laboratory Science Club.

She counts the Prairie Star 5K as one of her college highlights because the CLS Club ran as a group. “We are like a family due to the very few number of clinical lab science majors at UIS,” she said.

“I plan to continue being active in the club to help get the word out about CLS Club to other UIS students, even local high school students who may attend UIS once they graduate,” said Zimmerman.

The Leona Stafford Vollintine Scholarship was established to award full-time students pursuing a program of study leading to a career that promotes and assists the general public welfare.

To qualify for the Leona Stafford Vollintine Scholarship, students must be enrolled in the College of Education and Human Services and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

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.

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.

Samantha Morin of Lake in the Hills awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Samantha Morin, a resident of Lake in the Hills and psychology major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Droegkamp Family Scholarship for Global Studies for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Morin is majoring in psychology with the intent of getting a graduate degree to become an occupational therapist. “I have always enjoyed working with children, especially those with special needs,” she said.

Morin is currently studying autism and is working as a registered behavior technician at the Autism Clinic in Springfield and as a Campus Recreation Facility Lead at TRAC.

On campus she maintains a busy schedule as captain of the UIS women’s soccer team and as secretary of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Psy Chi Honor Society, and the Capitol Scholars Honors program at UIS.

“Even after three years, I am still sure that UIS was the right decision for me,” she said.

Morin spent two weeks this past summer studying abroad in Malta and Italy thanks to the scholarship she received. “That experience is one that I will never forget,” she said.

The Droegkamp Family Scholarship for Global Studies Experience is awarded to students seeking to study abroad.

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.

Hannah Markey of Carthage awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Hannah Markey, a resident of Carthage and social work major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Horace Mann Companies Endowed Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Markey said she has always had a strong desire to help people.

“My natural gifts encourage me to use them in my future career as a social worker,” she said.

Markey came to UIS from John Wood Community College, where she was active in the Student Government Association, Student Life, TRIO support services, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Campus Crusade.

At UIS, she has continued her campus involvement with the Catholic Student Organization, Christian Student Fellowship and Social Work Club.

Markey plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduation, and would like to work with the geriatric population in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

She is on track to graduate in December 2017.

The Horace Mann Companies Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students with financial need 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, 2018.

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

Metta Kongira of The Gambia, Africa awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Metta Kongira, a citizen of The Gambia, Africa and graduate student at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Robert Crowley Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. 

Metta is pursuing a joint master’s degree in public health and human services with a concentration in child and family studies.

“My knowledge and skill will help me improve the health of people and communities,” she said.

Metta said she became familiar with UIS when faculty and students attended a study abroad program at her undergraduate college in The Gambia.

She said the diverse student population, learning facilities and scholarship opportunities motivated her to apply for graduate school at UIS.

She is involved on campus in the Public Health Club, is a registered member of the Illinois Public Health Association and serves as a graduate assistant in the UIS Public Health Department.

She is on track to graduate in December 2018. After that, she plans to pursue a global health Ph.D. program.

“I meet people at UIS that inspire me more to believe in myself and explore my potential,” she said.

The Robert Crowley Scholarship was established by a grateful alumnus who started the fund for three reasons: to provide scholarship opportunities for international students, to expand the university’s diversity and to help people learn about different cultures.

The scholarship honors Robert Crowley, a founding member of Sangamon State University and professor emeritus of human development counseling.

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.

Ellie Held of Morrisonville awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Ellie Held, a resident of Morrisonville and social work major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Edith B. Terril Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Held transferred to UIS from Lincoln Land Community College, where she was, and still is a lifetime member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

She said she loves working with children and originally wanted to be a teacher, but found that social work was a better fit for her.

“I have a passion for helping others,” said Held. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives.” Held said she chose UIS because it was the perfect sized school for her.

“My favorite thing is how close knit it feels,” she said. “I love that the professors can work with us one-on-one.”

Held said she is on track to graduate in 2018 and is excited to join her sister in the ranks of UIS alumni.

The Edith B. Terril Scholarship was established by Joe Terril, a UIS alumni and business owner, in honor of his mother.

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.

Alison Haesele of Minier awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Alison Haesele, a resident of Minier and elementary education & psychology major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Dennis D. and Susan J. Koch Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Haesele, a UIS softball player, is pursuing a double major in elementary education and psychology with a certificate in the CAST program for Child Advocacy Studies. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher.

“I love children and their creative and imaginative minds, so teaching seems like the perfect career for me,” she said.

Haesele transferred to UIS from Illinois Central College, where she also played softball.

“Some of the best memories I have made at UIS were through softball,” she said.

Haesele also credits her UIS professors for unique learning opportunities.

“The amount of knowledge I have already received here and continue to receive from my classes just reassures me more that this was the best school for me.”

The Dennis D. and Susan J. Koch Scholarship was established by the current UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch and her husband Dennis to honor their parents and grandparents, whose lives were changed by the opportunity to attend a public Illinois university.

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.

Lorinda Guariglia of Chillicothe awarded a University of Illinois Springfield scholarship

Lorinda Guariglia, a resident of Chillicothe and social work major at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year. 

Guariglia, a wife and mother of three, said that her experience while growing up and her innate gift of lending a listening ear and genuinely wanting to help others is what led her to pursue a career in social work.

“I am sensitive to the problems other people face and eagerly look for ways to help connect them with appropriate contacts or resources,” she said.

Guariglia also said that being a non-traditional student has had its challenges, but many opportunities as well, especially during her commute to Springfield a few times a week. “I enjoy the commute as it provides valuable time reflecting on my studies, quietness and discussing class material with a fellow classmate who rides with me,” said Guariglia.

Guariglia said she is looking forward to her field work this year with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Peoria.

To qualify for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, full-time students must be members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for the scholarship renewal.

Guariglia was honored to be selected for the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship each semester for the past two years.

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.

Kayleen Holly of Springfield admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield

Kayleen Holly of Springfield, a senior at Lanphier High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall 2018 term.

At Lanphier, she plays tennis and is part of the band and jazz band. She is also a member of the Drama Club. At UIS, she plans to major in social work.

“I'm choosing UIS because I think the courses and atmosphere are really great,” she said.

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to become a social worker.

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.