June 11, 2013

Alumni Association names scholarship recipients

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The SIU Alumni Association at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has announced 10 scholarship recipients for the 2013-14 academic year.  The awards come from funds earmarked for the Roscoe Pulliam Scholarship, the SIU Legacy Scholarship, the Rebecca and Jerry Kill Scholarship, and the Connie Armstrong Scholarship.

The Roscoe Pulliam Scholarship awards three scholarships of $3,000 each to three SIU Carbondale students.  Recipients must be closely related to an SIU alumnus or alumna who is a current member of the SIU Alumni Association.

This year’s winners are:

  • Kyle Adams, an incoming freshman from Carterville, who plans to major in accounting and finance.  Adams finished in first place in the SIU Accounting Challenge this year and is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the Illinois High School Association All-State Academic Team.  His mother, Nancy Adams ’88, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Emily Lyons, a senior from Heyworth, is majoring in marketing at SIU and plans to graduate in May 2014. She previously earned the SIU Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship, holds a 3.85 cumulative GPA, and has enjoyed a place on SIU’s Dean’s List each semester she has been in school. Her father, Bill Lyons ’81, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Rebekah Nelson, a senior from Carterville, will earn a degree in elementary and secondary education this December. She was an honor student in high school and has continued her strong academic performance at both John A. Logan College and SIU.  She represented SIU last year during the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education evaluation conducted by the Department of Education. Her grandfather, Jack Shelby ’61, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.

Four students are receiving $2,000 each as SIU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Legacy Scholarship is set up to assist students who have a relative that is an alumnus or alumna of the University. This year’s honorees are:

  • Aaron Beavers, an incoming freshman from Murphysboro, plans to major in music business. He has been an outstanding musician throughout his prep career, performing in several music festivals and in different jazz bands.   He was one of 300 selected in the country for the Bands of America Honor Band that played in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade. His father, Kevin Beavers ’05, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Kylie Crews, an incoming freshman from Makanda, plans to major in pre-medicine.  She earned high honors throughout high school, and was a finalist for the SIU Carbondale Chancellor Scholarship. Crews was an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the color guard and concert band at Carbondale Community High School. Her grandfather, Kenneth Buzzbee ’61, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Evan Ehrenheim, a junior from Owensboro, Ky., is majoring in engineering at SIU. A member of the SIU track and field team, Ehrenheim was the 2010 Kentucky Cross Country State Champion and his team won the state title. Since he has been at SIU, he has logged a 4.0 GPA and been on the Dean’s List all semesters.  His grandmother, Carol Cross ’54, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Kevin Hart, an incoming freshman from Springfield, will be majoring in mass communication and cinematography. Hart was the Sacred Heart-Griffin High School drum major and a volunteer with the Catholic middle school band.  His mother, Clare Hart ’77, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.

The Rebecca and Jerry Kill Scholarship is awarded each year to a promising transfer student who maintains at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference for the $1,500 prize is given to those with financial need and students who have a relative that is an alumnus or alumna of the University. This year’s recipient is:

  • Kaylee Boland, a junior transfer from Shawnee Community College, is majoring in pre-nursing and healthcare management. The Ava resident played softball at Shawnee and was selected to be part of an internship at Southern Illinois Healthcare while attending Trico High School in Campbell Hill. Her grandfather, William Wilson ’70, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.

The Connie Armstrong Scholarship is an award with preference given to residents of Perry County, female students, students with children, and students with physical disabilities who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Two scholarships of $825 each were presented to:

  • Deborah Simms, a junior from DeSoto, is majoring in social work. Simms is a fulltime student and the mother of two, who plans to attend graduate school and earn a Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
  • Tayler Wilson, a senior from Du Quoin, is majoring in psychology. She is currently a student worker at the SIU Foundation, and hopes to become a counselor.

‘We hope students and their families find such assistance helpful in obtaining a degree at SIU Carbondale,” said Michelle Suarez, SIU Alumni Association executive director. “Supporting students in these challenging financial times is something we feel is extremely important.”