Black Colleagues Association Scholarships

The following scholarships are awarded by the Black Colleagues Association, a chartered affinity network of the Alumni Association. Preference is given to African-American students. Recipients of the scholarships should review all criteria and information needed within the application. Only one application is required per student. EXCEPTION: Those applying for the spring 2019 scholarship must complete a separate application. 

Students applying for the Commemorative Public Service, the Vincent Lionel Davis and the Judge Russell DeBow Scholarships are not eligible to receive more than one of the awards during the same academic year.  Undergraduates are eligible to apply for all scholarships administered by the Black Colleagues Association. Graduate students are eligible to apply for the Judge Russell DeBow Scholarship and the Commemorative Public Service Scholarship.

Judge Russell DeBow Scholarship 

Judge Russell DeBow was one of the charter members of ISUBCA and was instrumental in writing the original constitution and by-laws in 1994. Formerly known as the Black Colleagues scholarship, this scholarship was later renamed in honor of Judge Debow’s valuable contribution toward formalizing this organization. Annual donations from alumni and friends of ISUBCA fund this $1,000 scholarship each year. Applying for this scholarship allows consideration for the President’s Book Scholarship and the Vice President for Student Affairs Scholarship. 

• President’s Office Book Scholarship - This scholarship is sponsored by Illinois State’s President Dr. Larry Dietz and has been awarded every year since 2000. The scholarship covers book expenses for two semesters, up to $500 per semester.
• Vice President for Student Affairs Scholarship - This scholarship is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and has been awarded since 2008. The scholarship covers expenses for two semesters, up to $500 per semester.

Applications for 2019-2020 scholarships are closed.

The Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship was established by the Davis Family in memory of Vincent Lionel Davis, a 1981 graduate of Illinois State University who died in the line of duty as an employee of the Dallas fire department. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Black Colleagues Association, a chartered affinity network of the Alumni Association.

Applications for 2019-2020 scholarships are closed.

The Commemorative Public Service Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship was established by alumnae who were initiated into the Theta Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Illinois State University, in memory of Carol Lynn Johnson. Carol, a 1979 graduate of Illinois State University, passed away in 2004 after a brave and lengthy battle with breast cancer. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who exhibits excellence in academics and community service. Preference will be given to an African American student. Recipient(s) are selected by the Commemorative Public Service Scholarship Committee, which consists of members of the Black Colleagues Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Applications for 2019-2020 scholarships are closed.

Lewis and Mills Endowed Scholarship

The Lewis and Mills Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014 by Alfred Lewis '90 and Stephen Mills '90. This scholarship will support students with a major within the College of Business or College of Arts and Science. Preference will be given to African-Americans and to students diagnosed with cancer or those who have parents that succumbed to cancer or who are cancer survivors. This $1,000 award honors the memory of their late wives Airree Lewis '91 and Tara Mills ’91 who both succumbed to personal battles with cancer.

Applications for 2019-2020 scholarships are closed.

Black Colleagues Association Spring 2019 Scholarship

The Black Colleagues Association is offering a scholarship for the spring 2019 to current freshmen at Illinois State University. Those interested must complete the application below in order to be considered.

Applications for 2019-2020 scholarships are closed.