Chamber Announces 2017 Scholarship Recipients

(FIRST ROW: KAITLIN CORDES, SASHA ALTHOFF AND ABIGAIL BARR; SECOND ROW: ELLIE BUENING, CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE, HARRISON SMITH, DREW GIBSON, NATALIE SUMMERS AND MORGAN DETERS)

The Chamber Foundation of Effingham County recognized the recipients of the 2017 Chamber Foundation Community Scholarships at the Annual Scholarship Sponsor and Recipient Luncheon at the Keller Convention Center. The Foundation awarded ten scholarships for both adults and graduating high school seniors.

Four Chamber members awarded Exclusive Scholarships. The recipients of the J & J Ventures Gaming LLC Exclusive Scholarships are Claire Niebrugge of Effingham, who will be attending Missouri State University to study Athletic Training and Sports Medicine; Reed Hardiek of Teutopolis, attending Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville to study Mechanical Engineering; Kaitlin Cordes of Effingham, attending Eastern Illinois University to pursue a degree in Journalism and Drew Gibson from St. Anthony High School, plans to attend the University of Illinois to study Business.

The BK Resources Exclusive Scholarship was awarded to Abigail Barr of Effingham High School. Barr will be attending Indiana State University to pursue her degree in Social Work.

The recipient of the Siemer Milling Company Exclusive Scholarship is Natalie Summers of Teutopolis High School. Summers will be attending Olney Central College to pursue a degree in Radiography.

The recipient of the First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Exclusive Scholarship is Sasha Althoff of Effingham. Althoff attends Eastern Illinois University to pursue her Masters of Public Administration.

Recipients of the Chamber Foundation Community Scholarships were Harrison Smith of Effingham High School, Morgan Deters of Teutopolis and Ellie Buening of Effingham.  Smith will be attending Notre Dame to pursue his degree in Biology. Deters and Buening attend Maryville University, Deters is pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy, while Buening is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Psychology & Master’s in Occupational Therapy.

All 2017 sponsors of the Chamber Foundation Community Scholarship Program were recognized during the luncheon. Special recognition was given to the Platinum Sponsors, in addition to the Exclusive Sponsors, which included Effingham New Car Dealers Association, John Boos & Co. and Koerner Distributor.

The Chamber Community Scholarship Program has awarded $186,000 to 149 area residents over the past 21 years. Scholarships are awarded to spouses, employees, and family members of Chamber member companies.

To learn more about the Chamber Foundation Scholarship Program, contact the Chamber office at 217-342-4147 or visit www.effinghamcountychamber.com.