Black Colleagues Association Scholarships
The following scholarships are awarded by the Black Colleagues Association, a chartered affinity network of the Alumni Association. Recipients of the scholarships should review all criteria and information needed within the application. Only one application is required per student.
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 $2,000 scholarship each year. Applying for this scholarship allows consideration for the Office of the President’s Scholarship and the Vice President for Student Affairs Scholarship.
- Office of the President Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by Illinois State’s President Dr. Larry Dietz and has been awarded every year since 2000.
- Vice President for Student Affairs Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and has been awarded since 2008.
- In addition, alumni who contribute to ISUBCA made it possible for the scholarship to be increased by $1,000.
This application is closed. Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2020.
The Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship
This $1,500 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. In addition, alumni who contribute to ISUBCA made it possible for the scholarship to be increased by $500 for a total award of $2,000.
This application is closed. Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2020.
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. 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. In addition, alumni who contribute to ISUBCA made it possible for the scholarship to be increased by $1,000 for a total award of $2,000.
This application is closed. Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2020.
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 a sophomore, junior or senior with a major within the College of Business or College of Arts and Science. Preference will be given 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. In addition, alumni who contribute to ISUBCA made it possible for the scholarship to be increased by $1,000 for a total award of $2,000.
This application is closed. Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2020.
Eric D. Tapley, Brothers On Campus, Inc. Scholarship
The Eric D. Tapley, Brothers On Campus, Inc. Scholarship was established in 2020 to honor Brother/Member Eric D. Tapley. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to an Illinois State sophomore, junior or senior who embodies the qualities that Eric displayed in his life including leadership, volunteer service, and student engagement. In addition, alumni who contribute to ISUBCA made it possible for the scholarship to be increased by $1,000 for a total award of $2,000.
This application is closed. Deadline: Wednesday, December 2, 2020.