James Newton Matthews Scholars
In 1996, the University of Illinois embarked on a new scholarship program to recruit the best and brightest students from throughout the state of Illinois and beyond. The James Newton Matthews Scholars Program, named after the very first student admitted to the Illinois Industrial University which later became the University of Illinois, annually awards $1,300 scholarships (per student) to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in high school. Scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 4.4 on a 5.0 scale and progress toward a degree to remain eligible for the scholarship for all four years. The Chicago Illini Club is pleased to participate in this scholarship program and was proud to award the first two James Newton Matthews Scholarships to David Cason and Daniel Sohn, both of whom were admitted to the University and began their studies in August, 1996. David, a graduate of Lyons Township High School in Western Springs, Illinois, is enrolled in the College of Commerce and Business Administration majoring in Finance. Daniel, a graduate of Lane Technical High School in Chicago, is also enrolled in the College of Commerce and Business Administration, major undecided.

James Newton Matthews Scholarship Winners

Pictured here (from left to right) are:

Roger Plummer, UIAA President and UI Trustee
David Cason, Matthews Scholar
Daniel Sohn, Matthews Scholar
Gail Kellogg, Chicago Illini Club
Jim Fessler, Chicago Illini Club President

The Chicago Illini Club is pleased to continue to participate in this scholarship program and in addition to our continued support of our first recipients in 1996, we continue to fund two additional students each year.

Student Leadership Award
In conjunction with the University of Illinois Alumni Association, the Chicago lllini Club has pledged $10,000 to endow an annual Student Leadership Award which will be known in perpetuity as the “Chicago lllini Club - University of Illinois Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leader Award.” The award will be given at the Student Leadership Awards luncheon sponsored each spring by the Office of Student Affairs and will be presented to a graduating senior who has exhibited outstanding leadership at the Urbana-Champaign campus. The Club is proud to endow this award as part of our effort to support the University’s educational mission. For more information regarding the Student Leadership Fund or the James Newton Matthews Scholarship Program contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at 217-244-8060.

Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund
The 1996 and 1997 Chicago Illini Club Opens and Fighting Illini Caravan Dinners were unqualified successes. Over two hundred and fifty Illini faithful have filled the event in each year. The club has made in excess of $14,000 in donations to the FISF with funds generated from these events.

Jane Addams Hull House
The Club co-sponsored a pre-game brunch and a post-game party in conjunction with the Illinois-California basketball game at the United Center on December 23, 1995. In materials promoting these events, the Club solicited wrapped Christmas gifts for two to eighteen year old boys and girls and made arrangements with Jane Addams Hull House Association to distribute the gifts to participants in its programs and services. The generosity of Illinois alumni and friends was inspiring and Jane Addams Hull House Association was overwhelmed with the Christmas gifts. Due to the success of this endeavor, the Club adopted Jane Addams Hull House Association and has supported its programs and services throughout fiscal 1996-1997. In August ‘96, the Club donated a large block of Cubs tickets to Hull House, and, once again, the Club organized the collection Christmas gifts prior to the December Fighting Illini basketball game at the United Center. The 1996 collection eclipsed that of 1995 with twice as many gifts being collected. If you would like further information about Jane Addams Hull House Association, you can write them at 10 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606 or call them at 312-906-8600.

Earth Day
On April 20, 1996, the Club joined the Alumni Association and other Illini Clubs in “Lending A Hand” to celebrate Earth Day 1996. The Club took its lead from the “Lend A Hand” list of “30 Ways To Help Mother Earth” distributed by the Alumni Association and donated books on conservation and the environment to the University Library.

Student Recruitment
During fiscal 1995-1996, the Club assisted representatives of the Office of Admissions and Records in recruiting high school and junior college students at the thirteen College Nights and College Fairs held at the following locations in Chicago and the suburbs: March 12, 1996 at Addison Trail H.S. in Addison; March 14, 1996 at Lane Tech H.S. in Chicago; March 21, 1996 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake; March 27, 1996 at Mt. Carmel H.S. in Chicago; April 10, 1996 at Hinsdale South H.S. in Darien; April 11, 1996 at St. Charles H.S. in St. Charles; April 15 at Barrington H.S. in Barrington; April 17, 1996 at Lyons Township H.S. in La Grange; April 18, 1996 at Glenbrook North H.S. in Northbrook; April 22, 1996 at Evanston H.S. in Evanston; April 23, 1996 at St. Ignatius H.S. in Chicago; April 24, 1996 at Naperville North and Naperville Central H.S.’s in Naperville; and April 27, 1996 at Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.