McLEAN COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
News from the Illinois Wesleyan University Associates Board • 2019 Impact Report
THE
LEADERSHIP GIFT
Through Byron Tucci’s lead gift and membership in the Illinois Wesleyan Associates, IWU is making strides in keeping bright and talented local high school students, who may have otherwise considered continuing their education elsewhere, here in their community. Announced in February 2018, the McLean County Scholarship guarantees at least $27,000 in annual scholarships–or $108,000 over four years–to admitted students graduating from a McLean County high school. The scholarship is funded by the Associates, a group of local business and community leaders committed to local education.
“This is a great University,” Tucci said. “These students will have great professors and one-on-one attention, and when they graduate, they’re going to have great credentials to show the world.” Byron Tucci ‘66 IWU Board of Trustees
A native and lifelong resident of Bloomington, Illinois, Tucci put his Illinois Wesleyan education to use locally. He served as a financial adviser in the Bloomington-Normal community for the duration of his professional career. Tucci is hoping the McLean County Scholarship will encourage local high school students to seek education here in their community.
“I thought we would do pretty well, but I didn’t think we’d be doing this well, this fast,” he said of the McLean County Scholarship’s early success. “I’m thrilled with it, but we need to keep it going.”
Dear Friends,
DEAR FRIENDS
For more than 65 years, the Illinois Wesleyan Associates have been committed to private higher education and local McLean County students. In 2018, we launched our boldest initiative yet. With nearly half of Illinois high school graduates seeking higher education out of state, Illinois Wesleyan and the Associates created the McLean County Scholarship in 2018.
The scholarship offers admitted McLean County high school students at least $27,000 in annual scholarships ($108,000 over four years).
Through the scholarship, IWU and the Associates are reminding local students in no uncertain terms: We want you! I encourage you to learn more about the McLean County Scholarship and see how it’s already impacting local students by visiting www.iwu.edu/associates. All the best,
Willie Brown President, Illinois Wesleyan Associates
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“Thanks to this scholarship, we are now connecting with bright, local students in ways we never have before. McLean County families are discovering us, some for the first time ever, and now have access to Illinois Wesleyan and our tradition of academic excellence.” LeAnn Hughes Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing
THE IMPACT
2018
2017
2016
2015
Applications
138
112
101
108
Attending
37
27
27
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ASSOCIATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
37% INCREASE IN McLEAN COUNTY STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT IWU Willie Brown, President Dick Wilson Lucy Wisdom ‘95 Kimberly Sterling ‘92 Nancy Steele-Brokaw ‘71 J. Phillips Scott Peterson ‘96 Tom Restivo Beth Robb ‘78 Ron Greene Ben Hart Russ Hagan ‘71 David Efaw Aaron Egbers ‘98
$837,000 pledged $2 MILLION scholarship goal
To learn more about the IWU Associates and supporting the McLean County Scholarship initiative please contact the advancement office: www.iwu.edu/giving.
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McLEAN COUNTY TITAN SPOTLIGHT Wah Chook ’22
Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois High School: Bloomington High School IWU Major: Nursing “Staying in Bloomington was not something I sought while looking at different colleges, but I cannot express how grateful I am to have stayed in my local community. I'm realizing more and more that IWU was just the right amount of change for me.”
Joey Kiper ’22
Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois High School: Central Catholic High School IWU Major: Biology “Illinois Wesleyan was always at the top of my list, but the cost of attendance was the biggest factor. When I applied and received my financial aid package, I was amazed at how much the McLean County Scholarship reduced the overall cost.”
Juan Rios-Narciso ’22
Hometown: Arrowsmith, Illinois High School: Ridgeview High School IWU Majors: Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship (DTE) and Political Science “The McLean County Scholarship has made it possible for me to get a great education. It has provided me with the financial support that my family and I needed.”
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