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School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Awards and Scholarships

Each spring, KNR holds the Esther Larson McGinnis Academic Achievement and Service Awards Ceremony to recognize high-achieving students.
Eligible students are either nominated or invited to apply for an award by KNR faculty. Students will receive an email notification with a link to an online application in late January or early February of each year.

See Current Award and Scholarship Recipients

Athletic Training

  • Karen Fennell Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Master in Athletic Training graduate student
    • Demonstrated financial need

  • Robert “Doc” Kief Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Full-time undergraudate student enrolled in good standing
    • AT major
    • Completed at least 60 credit hours
    • Demonstrated academic achievement
    • 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA

    Preference is given to a non-traditional student who demonstrates a financial need, has a goal to teach and work with sports teams, and demonstrates competency in athletic settings.

  • Kathy Schniedwind Scholarship

    This fund supports an outstanding junior-level AT student who is certified by the NATA and active in the AT club.

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Exercise Science

  • Georgia Rose Exercise Science Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Junior or Senior ES Major
    • 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • Demonstrated participation in campus or community events and service opportunities
    • Demonstrated involvement in professional or pre-professional associations

  • McGinnis Distinguished Senior ES (August to August)

    Requirements

    • 3.0 cumulative ISU GPA
    • Three full-time ISU semesters (greater than 40 hrs.)
    • Declared ES major
    • Demonstrated professional interest in fitness field

  • Professional Development Award

    Requirements

    • Senior ES major
    • 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
    • Recommendation of program faculty

  • Michael Collins Memorial Endowed Scholarship

    Requirements

    • ES junior or senior in good standing
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0
    • Displays a “pay it forward” attitude
    • Committed to helping people achieve their goals

    Preference is given to a student who demonstrates a financial need.

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PETE

  • McGinnis Distinguished Senior PETE

    Requirements

    • Demonstrated excellence in KNR 158, 221, 242, 358, 399.74, 399.75
    • 2.75 cumulative ISU GPA; 3.0 major GPA
    • Demonstrated leadership and professionalism at ISU through professional organizations and service activities
    • Awards, honors and special recognition during college experience

  • Professional Development Award

    Requirements

    • Senior PETE major
    • 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
    • Recommendation of program faculty.

  • Mary Alice Behling Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Full-time undergraduate student in good standing
    • Earned a minimum 24 hours of credits from ISU prior to application
    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

    Preference is given to students majoring in PETE.

  • Doris E. Henderson Physical Education Academic and Professional Leadership Award

    Requirements

    • Good Standing at ISU
    • Completed a minimum of 75 hours of credit at the undergraduate level
    • Demonstrated academic achievement
    • Minimum 3.2 GPA
    • PETE major
    • Demonstrated leadership and/or volunteered in activities on campus or in the community

  • Betty Keough Honorary Teacher Education Scholarship Award

    Requirements

    • Teacher Education major
    • 3.0 minimum ISU cumulative GPA
    • Leadership history, service history, professional participation

  • Betty Keough Junior Academic Achievement Award in PETE

    Requirements

    • Junior PETE student
    • 60-89 ISU hours completed
    • Minimum 3.3 ISU GPA
    • An “A” in both KNR 158 and 225

  • Darla Moldenhauer Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Undergraduate PETE major
    • Completed a minimum of 75 hours of credit at the undergraduate level
    • Minimum 3.2 GPA
    • Demonstrated participation in campus activities
    • Demonstrated leadership and/or volunteered in activities on campus or in the community

  • Judith Rothermel Physical Education Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Junior PETE major
    • Preference is given to students planning to teach K-12 Physical Education in an Illinois public school system

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Recreation and Sport Management

  • McGinnis Distinguished Senior RPA

    Requirements

    • 3.25 cumulative ISU GPA
    • Graduating senior in RPA
    • Demonstrated service to community and profession
    • Projects image of leadership and professionalism

  • Professional Development Award

    Requirements

    • Senior RPA major
    • 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
    • Recommendation of program faculty

  • Ellen Abshire Recreation and Park Administration Service Award

    Requirements

    • 2.2 cumulative ISU GPA
    • RPA junior or senior (60 hours)
    • Member of ISU Park and Recreation Student Society in the current academic year
    • Actively involved in two or more: student societies, professional societies, service to ISU, KNR, or community agencies

  • Recreation and Park Administration Spirit Award

    Requirements

    • Declared RPA major
    • Displays positive, enthusiastic ”can do” attitude towards university, program, peers, and faculty
    • Displays professional and ethical behavior in a variety of situations
    • Actively promotes and advances program
    • Demonstrates potential for future career in recreation and leisure studies

  • Sandra Little Groves Legacy Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Declared sophomore or junior RPA major
    • Displays strong potential and promise in the field of recreation
    • Enrolled full time in the fall semester that follows the spring scholarship award

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Graduate Students

  • Graduate Assistant Teaching Award

    Requirements

    • Outstanding contributions to teaching in Active for Life Program
    • At least half time for two full semesters

    This reward can only be received once.

  • L. Marlene Mawson Graduate Research Potential Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Graduate degree student in KNR intending to complete thesis or dissertation (Thesis/dissertation research proposal must be accepted by his/her thesis/dissertation committee prior to April 1)
    • Completed thesis/dissertation proposal form to Graduate School prior to April 1

    The thesis/dissertation chair will be notified by KNR Graduate Program Director or Graduate Program Secretary of the student’s eligibility for the award at the time proposal is forwarded to Graduate school.

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Additional Awards and Scholarships

  • Wes Bair Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Junior (55+ credit hours) or Senior (85+ credit hours) KNR Student in good standing at Illinois State University
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Evidence of extracurricular, volunteer or community service involvement that demonstrates leadership potential
    • Two letters of recommendation by faculty members

  • Gina L. Bianchi Scholarship

    Requirements

    • KNR major with less than 60 credit hours
    • Minimum cumulative ISU GPA of 3.0
    • Demonstrated strong academic achievement
    • Demonstrated involvement in professional activities (major club, professional organizations, etc.)

  • Howard Hancock Athletic Achievement Award

    Requirements

    • Senior athlete majoring in KNR
    • Distinguished athletic achievement
    • Recommendation of Head Coach

  • Clifford E. Horton Scholarship Award

    Requirements

    • Junior athlete in good standing
    • Demonstrates leadership qualities
    • Promotes professional aspects of Kinesiology, including all aspects of athletics

  • Joyce Morton Kief Future Professional Award

    Requirements

    • Undergraduate junior or senior in good standing in KNR
    • Demonstrated persistence, work ethic, and high standards in academics and professional activities
    • Outstanding record of professional involvement (active involvement in major club, leadership in major club, involvement at with professional organizations, etc.)
    • Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher desirable

  • Darlene A. Kluka Scholarship

    Requirements

    • Student in good academic standing
    • Planning to coach
    • Demonstrated strong academic achievement
    • Cumulative GPA of 3.0

  • Trent R. Richards Scholarship Fund

    Requirements

    • KNR major
    • Junior (55+ hours) in good academic standing
    • Demonstrated strong academic achievement
    • 3.0 GPA

    This scholarship is awarded in the fall of junior year.

  • Diane Ryon Scholarship

    This scholarship makes the transition process for transfer students more manageable.

    Requirements

    • Transfer student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation
    • 3.0 minimum GPA
    • Preference given first to Physical Education Teacher Education students, then to Therapeutic Recreation students, and finally, to all other majors in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.

    Amount: Scholarship amount will be determined by the annual spending distribution of the fund. Each award should be a minimum $1,000 with multiple scholarships to be awarded

    Application Deadline: March 8

  • Dr. Peter Yuan Kai Wang Scholastic Excellence Award

    Requirements

    • Senior and Junior KNR Major with the highest major GPA
    • Campus or professional involvement
    • Preference will be given to students demonstrating rigor in their academic studies (i.e., dual major outside of KNR, participating in honors program, taking graduate courses, etc.)

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