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.

• 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, the Theta Delta Commemorative Public Service Scholarship, the Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship, the Jones Family Scholarship, and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship.
• Students applying for the Theta Delta 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.
• For current student applicants of the Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship, Jones Family Scholarship, or Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship, preference is given to those who are a member of a minimum of one African American related student organization. If the applicant is an incoming student, no preference for student organization membership is required.

• Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship

  Andrew Purnell ‘57 became one of the founders of the student chapter of the NAACP and served as the chapter president as an undergraduate and later worked to establish the ISU Black Colleagues Association (BCA) in 1984 where he served in several leadership positions. Long considered an invaluable alumnus, Purnell had been active in the Alumni Association. For his dedication to students and the University, he was inducted into the University’s Steve and Sandi Adams Legacy Hall of Fame, received the Alumni Association Mercier Outstanding Service Award, and was named Alumni Homecoming King in 2013. Purnell was slated to receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the Founding Celebration activities in 2020 before his untimely passing.

  Today, his legacy lives on as BCA actively raises money for student scholarships to support and empower Black students. In March 2021, BCA established the Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship in honor of Andrew’s valuable contributions to the Black Colleagues Association. As the premier scholarship at $5,000, this award supports a student who exhibits excellence in academic achievement and community service.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• 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 Scholarship and the Vice President for Student Affairs Scholarship.

  • Office of the President Scholarship - This $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by Illinois State’s Interim President Aondover Tarhule 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.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• 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.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• Theta Delta 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.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• 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. This $1000 scholarship will be awarded with preference given to students diagnosed with cancer or those who have parents that succumbed to cancer or who are cancer survivors.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• 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.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• Jones Family Scholarship

  The Jones Family Scholarship was established in 2021 by Natasha Jones in memory of Brian L.C. Jones. While living and working in Normal, Brian chose Illinois State University to continue his post-graduate studies. Brian had very fond memories of ISU since this was the place that he met Natasha Jones ’94, the mother of his two children, and the place where his lifetime commitment began with his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Pi Beta Chapter. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who embodies the qualities Brian displayed in his life including excellence in academic achievement and community service.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship

  In preparation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lambda Epsilon Charter at Illinois State University in 2023, alumni members of the chapter established the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship preserves the legacy of the chapter and celebrates the community-conscious, action-oriented organization while assisting Illinois State University students in their pursuit of scholarship and service.

  The 2025-2026 application closed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.