Additional Scholarship Opportunities
After graduating from Armstrong Township High School, Naomi Holt
Oesch attended ISNU from 194345, majoring in elementary
education. In 1947, she traveled with geography professor Arthur
Watterson throughout the United States and Canada for college
credit in geography and history. Watterson Towers, a residence
hall on the campus of Illinois State, was named for the ISNU alum
and professor emeritus. In 1951, Naomi made plans to study abroad
with Watterson in Europe; Howard was studying abroad on the trip.
Naomi and Howard met as a result of a social function that
Watterson arranged for his travel students. In 1953, Howard and
Naomi were married and raised four children, three of whom are
Illinois State University graduates. The Dr. Minnie Perrin Berson
Scholarship in Early Childhood Education was established in 2012
by family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Minnie Perrin Berson as
a memorial in honor of her life and work. Berson was born March
12, 1914, in Ruzhin, Ukraine. At age 6, she and her family fled
civil war and violent persecution of Jews, immigrating to the
United States and settling in Detroit. Berson was an individual
who came to the United States as an immigrant who learned an
entirely new culture and way of life in the process. She was
thrilled to be able to study and gain an education. Thus, she
chose to commit her entire life to caring about and helping
others do the same. Darlene Baxter Severin, a 1943 graduate of
Illinois State Normal University (ISNU), established the
scholarship
in honor of her sister and mentor, Ferne Hinshaw-Hardt. Ferne
attended ISNU, passed her teachers' exam, and taught grade school
in Central Illinois for several years. Ferne left teaching to
adopt Darlene, her two-month-old sister, after their mother died.
Darlene was the only child of Ferne and her husband, Henry. Ferne
felt that education was the key to a bright future and was a
strong proponent of education for women. Darlene was a very
strong student and benefitted from her sister's belief that
education was the gateway to a better life. She received both her
bachelor's and master's degrees at Illinois State and taught
English and art for more than 30 years. Prior to her death in
2009, Darlene created this scholarship as a way to honor her
sister, Ferne, by making it possible for other young women to
attend Illinois State University and live out their dreams of
becoming teachers.
Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities
General Scholarship and Grant Programs
Washington state association essay scholarship - The Dr. Edna F. Bazik Endowed Mathematics Teaching Scholarship was created in 2011 by Edna F. Bazik, a 43-year veteran mathematics educator, consultant, author, mathematics education program coordinator, and associate professor of mathematics education at National Louis University. Bazik received her bachelor's degree in mathematics teaching from Illinois State Normal University in 1969, her master's degree in mathematics education from the University of Illinois in 1972, and her Ph.D. in mathematics education from Southern Illinois University in 1976. Bazik later returned to Illinois State University to earn her Type-75 Administrative Certificate and Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS).
Ellen, assistant professor emerita of reading and literacy, considers herself a lifelong learner. When you look at her educational journey, you can see why. She graduated from a New York City high school in 1964, received an associate's degree in humanities from Richland Community College in Decatur in 1986, a bachelor's in English from University of IllinoisSpringfield in 1989, a master's in reading from Illinois State University in 1997, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Illinois State University in 2003. After having been a graduate student, the School of Teaching and Learning (formerly the Department of Curriculum and Instruction) hired her, first as a non-tenure track faculty member and then as tenure track. Collectively, the family of Illinois State graduates has taught for more than 100 years. Carol is a 1962 graduate with a bachelor's in special education. Terry is a 1957 graduate with a bachelor's in mathematics. Victoria Bowlby, Carol's mother, received her bachelor's in 1965 and went on to teach in a one-room school in Iowa. Terry's mother, Mary Alice Glynn, received her bachelor's in 1959 and his father, Will Glynn, received a bachelor's in 1932 and a master's in 1951. Mary Alice and Will's careers began in Cerro Gordo, where they also taught in one-room schools. Patricia was a trailblazer in the world of Special Education. She was passionate, devoted and committed to helping those students most in need. For over 32 years, Patricia taught in Lake County Illinois, and was at the forefront of introducing special education programs in Barrington and Libertyville IL. Patricia's family roots run deep in the Bloomington/Normal community, having graduated from Trinity High school, known today as Central Catholic High School. Patricia served on many boards and committees and was known to always be ready to lend a friendly, helping hand. Payton Helphinstine, loving widower of Patricia established the Patricia Peffer Helphinstine Special Education Endowed Scholarship in 2017, after her passing in November 2016 to honor Patricia and to encourage, support, reward and recruit students enrolled in the College of Education Special Education Program. Sadly, Robert Lawson passed away in 2010. Robert and Helen met as Illinois State Normal University (ISNU) students and married in 1949. The Lawsons grew up during the Great Depression and came to ISNU at the close of World War II, during which Kent had served in the U.S. Navy. He majored in agriculture education and later taught agriculture and science. He also taught in middle level education and was an elementary school principal. Helen was a business education major, which led her to employment as an office manager and bookkeeper and later as a public aid caseworker for the state of Illinois. Robert and Helen have three childrenJanice, Cindy, and Glennin whom they have instilled a love of teaching and learning. Cindy taught in Peoria and Lincoln, administering a special education program in Peoria prior to joining the Department of Special Education at Illinois State, where she served for more than 25 years. This scholarship was established upon her retirement from the position of assistant chairperson, which she held for 10 years.