Southeastern Illinois College student Kassidy Beane (center, holding check) celebrates with Wendell Williams, SIU Carbondale vice chancellor for enrollment management, (left) and SIU Provost Sheryl A. Tucker (right) and others after receiving a 2025 Provost Scholarship. (SIU Carbondale photo)
May 01, 2025
SIU Carbondale awards 2025 Provost’s Scholarships to 19 community college students
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Nineteen high achieving community college students from Illinois and Kentucky have received Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s 2025 Provost’s Scholarships, which cover tuition and mandatory fees for two years.
SIU Carbondale Provost Sheryl Tucker and other university officials paid surprise visits this week to present SIU’s most prestigious transfer student award and congratulate students at John A. Logan College, Kaskaskia College, Lake Land College, Rend Lake College, Southeastern Illinois College, Southwestern Illinois College and Shawnee Community College. Other recipients were surprised virtually on Thursday night.
Tucker, also vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the scholarship fits well with the Imagine 2030 strategic plan and its pillar of student success. SIU Carbondale is “delighted to welcome these high-talent, inspiring students into the Saluki family,” she said.
“As one of only 21 Carnegie-classified Research 1, Opportunity institutions in the country, Southern Illinois University Carbondale ensures access to all and provides unique professional development experiences to support the career aspirations of our students, including our transfers,” Tucker said.
“It was such a privilege to present outstanding transfer students Provost’s Scholarships at our community college partners this week. We appreciated the warm welcome of the leadership, faculty and staff on site and the opportunity to meet family members and to surprise the students with such transformative news recognizing their hard work.”
More than 100 community college students competed in the selection process. Recipients demonstrate high academic achievement, have a strong record of leadership in their communities and participate in numerous extracurricular activities. The award is renewable, contingent upon the students maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.
The students, by hometowns, are:
ILLINOIS
- Belleville: Jacob Nelson, Southwestern Illinois College, radiologic sciences.
- Benton: Bo Brockett, Rend Lake College, SIU College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, undeclared.
- Carbondale: Darren Hale, John A. Logan College, biological sciences.
- Carterville: Lauren Lynch, John A. Logan College, early childhood education.
- Chicago: Yasmin Whitfield, City Colleges of Chicago, pre-medicine.
- Crystal Lake: Nyla Tinch, McHenry County College, nursing.
- Du Quoin: Aiden Caraker, John A. Logan College, finance.
- Eddyville: Kassidy Beane, Southeastern Illinois College, pre-medicine.
- Freeburg: Isabella Borja, Kaskaskia College, SIU College of Health and Human Sciences, undeclared.
- Herrin: Ava Greiner, John A. Logan College, early childhood education.
- Herrin: Gwendolyn Martin, John A. Logan College, accounting.
- Lake Barrington: Samuel Gallo, Harper College, aviation flight.
- Lerna: Ila Richter, Lake Land College, agribusiness economics.
- Murphysboro: Zachary Lux, John A. Logan College, radiologic sciences.
- New Holland: Malena Kirgan, Lincoln Land Community College, agricultural systems and education-teacher education program.
- Oswego: Lynleigh Ufen, Waubonsee Community College, art.
- Sesser: Patrice Laur, Rend Lake College, elementary education.
- Vienna: Matthew O’Neal, Shawnee Community College, civil engineering.
KENTUCKY
- Melber: Macey Purcell, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, dental hygiene.
SIU Carbondale offers various scholarships to transfer students. For more information on the university’s scholarships and financial aid, contact Amber Rivers, associate director of scholarships in the Financial Aid Office, at scholarships@siu.edu or 618-453-4628.