EIU Media Relations

EIU Receives Gift from Wells Fargo to Provide Local Scholarships

Community Ambassador Scholarship Program to Benefit Local Students, Boost Local Economy

Leaders from Wells Fargo Advisors in Charleston and Eastern Illinois University came together today to celebrate a new scholarship program initially revealed last month.

In early November, Wells Fargo Advisors in Charleston announced a donation of $20,000 to Eastern Illinois University as part of a Community Ambassador Scholarship package that will encourage local high school graduates to stay in the area. In spring of 2018, that commitment will help no fewer than 11 local high school students earn Community Ambassador Scholarships to attend Eastern Illinois University, and to continue their academic careers in east central Illinois.

“Wells Fargo Advisors is pleased to partner with EIU to provide academic opportunities for members of our local communities,” said Wells Fargo Advisors Branch Manager Gary Swearingen. “We want to help create the most welcoming and rewarding environment for incoming EIU students as possible. In addition, Wells Fargo hopes this donation will serve as a corporate challenge to other local businesses wanting to reinvest in our region and provide even more scholarship opportunities to our local students.”

Dr. David Glassman, president of Eastern Illinois University, applauded the donation upon its initial announcement.

“By providing these scholarship opportunities, Wells Fargo is helping to incentivize those students who may be interested in coming to Eastern, but who may need a bit of financial assistance to attend,” Glassman said. “It’s wonderful to know these opportunities will benefit local students, and bolster the local economy in doing so. We thank Wells Fargo for their help in creating these crucial opportunities.”

All EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship application materials are due by March 15, 2018.  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/. 

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; or 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: Representatives from Wells Fargo Advisors and Eastern Illinois University gathered today to celebrate their partnership in developing the Community Ambassador Scholarship program, which encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area and attend EIU. From left to right: Craig Cunningham, CFP ® and First Vice President- Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors; Robert Carr, First Vice President- Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors; Dan Cunningham, Managing Director- Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors; Michael Murray, Director of Development for Eastern Illinois University; Gary Swearingen, CFP ® and Complex Manager at Wells Fargo Advisors; Dr. David Glassman, President of Eastern Illinois University; Amanda Beals, Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors; and Christopher Considine, Senior Vice President- Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Advisors.