Scholarships and Awards

The department awards several scholarships and academic prizes to our majors each year in order to recognize/reward exceptional studentship.
All majors are considered for most scholarships, several scholarships, students can apply for between their junior and senior years.
Among these are:

Harry O. Lathrop-Arthur W. Watterson Memorial Award–Established: 1954 Modified: 2009

Qualifications:

1. G.P.A. minimum of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
2. 48 semester hours at Illinois State University, including spring semester of current academic year
3. Junior-Senior standing
4. Extracurricular activities:
   • Involvement in the Geography or the Geology Club
   • Attendance of field trips
   • Attendance at professional meetings and/or field conferences
   • Presentation of student research at professional meetings
   • Publications

Application: Nomination by department faculty

Stipend amount depends upon interest earned by the scholarship fund. Historically the amount is about $300.00.

Eunice Blackburn Scholarship - Established: 1989

Qualifications:

1. Must be a senior Geography major having completed at least 90 semester hours.
2. Must have demonstrated substantial academic achievement both in the major and overall
3. Financial need will be a consideration
4. Must pursue either student teaching or professional practice. If the student fails to take either experience, the award funds will revert to the Endowment.

Application: Nomination by department faculty

Amount: Stipend amount depends upon interest earned by the scholarship fund. No award will be less than $250.00

George R. Means Geography Scholarship - Established 1994

Qualifications:

1. Must be enrolled at Illinois State University
2. Must have a 1st or 2nd major in Geography
3. Must have a minimum 2.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Application: Nomination by department faculty

Amount: Stipend amount depends upon interest earned by the scholarship fund. Maximum award has been $5,000. The Scholarship Committee will determine the number of scholarships awarded per year.

Margaret Means Endowment Stipend - Established 1994

Qualifications:

1. Must be enrolled at Illinois State University
2. Must have a 1st or 2nd major in Geography
3. Must have a minimum 2.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale
4. Must be involved in any of the following:
   • Practice Teaching
   • Unpaid Internship
   • Off campus travel and formal study

Candidates must show strong promise for a career in teaching or service to humankind: must have potential to become a positive influence in society, and must be of high character.

Application: Nomination by department faculty

Amount: Awards will be up to $2,000.00 depending on activity and circumstances. The Scholarship Committee will determine the number of scholarships awarded per year.

Louis Miglio Scholarship - Established 2006

Qualifications:

1. Strong Character
2. Financial Need
3. Strong academic record
4. Majoring in teacher education

Application: Nomination by department faculty

Amount: Stipend amount depends upon interest earned by the scholarship fund. Maximum award has been $5,000. The Scholarship Committee will determine the number of scholarships awarded per year.