Winners Announced for Illinois Patriot Education Fund Scholarships
Provided to Student Veterans of America
Six men and one woman to receive $1,000 each to help meet undergraduate, graduate educational needs
CHICAGO – January 31, 2012 – The Illinois Patriot Education Fund (IPEF) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) announced today the names of the scholarship recipients funded by the recent $7,000 award made by IPEF to help support seven Illinois student veterans as they pursue a degree or certificate in the spring of 2012.
The award to SVA is one of several that IPEF issued as part of its inaugural year and was made possible due to the generous support of IPEF’s donors.
The scholarships that SVA will disseminate to student veterans in Illinois will incentivize academic excellence, ease the financial stress facing many student veterans, and supplement the gaps left in the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
More than 200 Illinois student veterans submitted applications, along with an essay, for the scholarships between January 10 and 27. To be eligible, applicants must be attendees of an Illinois school or be able to demonstrate a strong Illinois connection (i.e. lived in the state prior to service) in their essay. All applications were scored according to a pre-established rubric that judged academic achievement, SVA participation, community involvement, and the applicant’s personal essay. This year’s winners are:
- Nathaniel Davis (Army Veteran) pursuing a PhD in History at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Blake Leitch (Army Veteran) pursuing a B.A. in Corporate Communication at Eastern Illinois University
- Andreas Lucido (Army Veteran) pursing an MBA at the University of Illinois
- Eric Meredith (Navy Veteran) pursuing a Masters of Nutrition at the University of Illinois-Chicago
- Jonathan Nelson (USMC Veteran) pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Heartland Community College
- Derek Vardon (Navy Veteran) pursuing a Masters in Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois
- Danielle Weech (Navy Veteran) pursuing a B.S. in Kinesiology and Atmospheric Science at the University of Illinois
“SVA is very grateful to the Illinois Patriot Education Fund for this generous donation and is proud to be a partner in its efforts to improve the academic success of America’s and Illinois’ veterans and military families,” said Michael Dakduk, Executive Director of SVA. “As a former student veteran, I know the importance of a sound financial footing while attending school. These scholarships will make that a reality.”
Founded in 2008, Student Veterans of America is a non-profit coalition of more than 550 student veteran organizations on college campuses nationwide. SVA’s mission is to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and after graduation. The peer support that each chapter provides to returning veterans is critical to a successful transition from combat to college.
IPEF’s contribution was raised during its 2011 fundraising efforts to support student veterans in Illinois.
“We were stunned with more than 200 online application responses,” said Mark Slaby, IPEF founder and executive director. “This clearly demonstrates the significant need for this type of scholarship for our Illinois veterans. We can – and need to – do more. Our community needs to continue to step up and work harder to fill this need and ensure more scholarships can be provided during our next grant cycle.”
IPEF’s mission is to provide financial assistance to support the educational journey for Illinois military service men and women who have given their lives or become disabled in service to our country and their families. IPEF encompasses early education (K-12) through advanced, collegiate educational needs. IPEF also supports the education of active duty members of our Armed Services over and above the benefits provided by the Post-911 GI Bill.
This grant was made in memory of Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier, who was killed in Afghanistan on March 29, 2003, while embedded with the Army Special Forces as an Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controller. It is also made in recognition of Jacob’s father, Jim Frazier, who has been volunteering many years of service assisting Illinois veterans and their families in need. In addition, this grant is made in honor of all Gold Star Families throughout the State of Illinois. Please know that your sacrifice continues to inspire our volunteers to work hard each day on your behalf.
For more information on Student Veterans of America or the Illinois Patriot Education Fund, please visit: www.studentveterans.org and www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org. To make a much needed tax deductible donation to IPEF, please visit www.illinoispatrioteducation.org and click on the “DONATE” button on the right-hand side of the page. IPEF thanks you for your support.
###
About the Illinois Patriot Education Fund
The Illinois Patriot Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) based in Chicago, whose mission is to raise scholarship funds on behalf of the spouses and children of Illinois military service men and women who have given their lives or become disabled in service to our country. We also support the education of active duty members of our Armed Services over and above the benefits provided by the Post-911 GI Bill. For more information please visit www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org or follow www.facebook.com/ILPatriotriotEdFund and www.twitter.com/ILPatriotEdFund for the latest updates.