June 03, 2013

Three non-traditional students earn scholarships

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Non-traditional Student Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently awarded scholarships to three students.

Heather Will is the recipient of the Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship for $1,000, while Kenea Lee and Hubert Widener each received $500 Non-Traditional Student Services Activity Scholarship awards.

Will, of Elkville, is a senior majoring in Workforce Education and Development.  She is a first-generation college student who is active in her church, community and children’s schools.  Will and her husband, Jason, have four children: Erika, Cutter, Addison and Jaycie.

The Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship goes to a full-time, non-traditional sophomore, junior or senior who attended high school in Jackson County, Ill. 

Widener, a junior majoring in aviation technologies, is from Vero Beach, Fla.  He earned his associate degree in 2003 and worked as a federally licensed aircraft mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2009, where he served in South Korea and stateside. He is one of just 200 from the Army to participate in the Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option Program, where he can complete his bachelor’s degree and become a commissioned officer.  He is married to Allison Widener.

Lee, of Chicago, is a senior business management major specializing in entrepreneurship.  While caring for a young child and working at Student Support Services, she also serves as a math tutor for TRiO Achievers program students and assists with campus activities including the University’s Family Carnival.

Applications for the Non-Traditional Student Services scholarships are due each March for the upcoming fall semester.

For more information about the office, a unit of Student Life and Intercultural Relations, visit the website at www.nontrad.siu.edu, call 618/453-7521 or email dbarnett@siu.edu.