Samantha Edmondson
Daily Egyptian
SIU men's basketball head coach Bruce Weber demonstrated his gratitude for Southern Illinois support last season by giving back to a new group of Saluki fans.
Weber donated $3,000 to the SIU Presidential Scholarship program Friday afternoon at the Presidential Scholarship Golf Scramble at the Crab Orchard Country Club in Carterville.
Near the end of the basketball season, Weber announced he would donate one dollar for every person that came over the average game's attendance for the last two games in the SIU Arena, which was about 6,000 spectators.
"We had like 7,000 people come to the first game, and the next game had a few thousand over that," he said. "So I made the decision to donate it to President Walker's Scholarship Program."
Walker created the Presidential Scholarship Program last fall to attract the students who have achieved academic excellence above most in their high school. In its first year, the program awarded $20,000 scholarships, $5,000 for four years, to 19 SIUC students. Eleven students at SIUE will also receive scholarships through the program.
Once known as the Chancellor's Golf Scramble, the event, underwritten by 710 Bookstore, helped raise about $30,000 for the new scholarship program.
Scott Kaiser, spokesman for the president's office, said Walker personally contributed $30,000 to the scholarship program to accelerate the funding.
Walker said with this program, he hopes to help students who might not have had the resources but still had the academic excellence to attend the University. Of 30 students who received presidential scholarships, the lowest GPA was a 3.9 on a 4 point scale.
He said the projected plan for the SIU Presidential Scholarship program is to add to the 30 awards given this fall.
"I hope one day we would be doing [giving scholarships] 100 students a year," Walker said. "That would be the goal if we have the finances to do that."
Terri Harfst, academic scholarship coordinator, said the important factor to recognize about all the presidential scholarship winners is they have a top-notch GPA as well as high scores on their ACT exams. She said this award shows the students' academic dedication, hard work and strong work ethic they will continue in college.
Katy Newton was one of five presidential scholarship winners attending SIUC in the fall who showed their appreciation for their award at the Golf Scramble Friday.
Newton, a graduate from Gallatin High School in Ridgeway, she had applied for other scholarships, but she is still waiting for replies. She was pleased to see this scholarship will cover most of her expenses and that she will be able to pursue a major in elementary education.
Rubi Weyburg, among some of the other winners, had similar concerns, especially with the tuition increase. But she said her family still applied for the MAP award and other financial awards to make sure her resources are covered.
Weber said his donation was a way of tying the academic achievements of local and statewide students to the athletic programs of the University. He hopes his contribution will give them an opportunity they may not have had before the creation of this program.
"They have treated me well and they have had a great support this year for the team, and hopefully it will benefit and give the chance for some kids to go to this school," Weber said.
Reporter Samantha Edmondson can be reached at sedmondson@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
