Local Students to Benefit from $5K EIU Scholarship Gift from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Mar-08-2018
Leaders from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust in Charleston and Eastern Illinois University came together March 6 to support the university’s Community Ambassador Scholarship program, which encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area by continuing their academic careers at EIU. A ceremonial check presentation was held at First-Mid’s Charleston branch Tuesday afternoon with representatives from both organizations in attendance.
“Like EIU, First Mid has served the Central Illinois community for more than a century, and we’re proud to continue to do so in collaboration with Eastern Illinois University,” said Rance Higgins, community bank president. “EIU and First Mid are dedicated to building the brightest future possible for incoming EIU students and for the diverse community we share. This is a great opportunity to invest in the enrichment of our local students and the economic impact they’re sure to have in boosting the region’s future economic growth. It’s a win-win situation.”
Dr. David Glassman, president of Eastern Illinois University, was unable to attend the check presentation, but celebrated First Mid’s commitment to the university and for creating additional scholarship opportunities in the region.
“Working together, EIU and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust are creating additional scholarship opportunities for regional students right here at home,” said Glassman. “Scholarships are a critical part of many EIU students’ educations, and we’re grateful that First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust understands and appreciates EIU’s mission to serve them. By supporting our community students today, we are creating tomorrow’s local leaders, thereby reinforcing the future economic growth of the region.”
That economic growth is backed by a recent independent study by Coles Together, the economic development organization for Coles County. Survey results indicated EIU adds $503.5 million in economic output to the State of Illinois while contributing $461.8 million in economic output to the region alone on an annual basis.
Qualifications for earning the $2,000 scholarships—as well as scholarship submission guidelines—are available on the EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship website at www.eiu.edu/ambassador-scholarship/. All EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship application materials are due by March 15, 2018.
For more information on the EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship or the EIU application process, contact Molly Button at mmbutton@eiu.edu or (217) 581-2299; contact the Office of Admissions at (877) 581-BEIU(2348), admissions@eiu.edu, or find more contact information online at www.eiu.edu/admissions.php.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Representatives from First-Mid Illinois Bank and Trust gift $5,000 to Eastern Illinois University to advance the university’s Community Ambassador Scholarship program, which encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area by continuing their academic careers at EIU. Pictured here are (left to right) community bank president and EIU alumnus Rance Higgins, bank teller and EIU student Brody Donsbach, bank wealth management assistant and EIU student Kelly Purvis, assistant branch manager for First Mid’s Sixth Street location and EIU alumna Shay Coffey, bank financial advisor and EIU alumna April Selstad, EIU associate vice president for enrollment management Josh Norman, and EIU director of development Mike Murray.
