Department of Mathematics and Philosophy

Mathematics Scholarships for Continuing Students

If you have any questions, please contact:

Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309) 298-1054
Email: mathphil@wiu.edu


Dorothy Allen Scholarship

This scholarship was established with funds from the Dorothy Allen Trust. Dorothy received her Bachelor of Education in 1932 and MS-ED in 1957. She worked in education for over 40 years.

Amount of the award is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Mathematics major
  • leadership, extracurricular activities, and community service are considered
  • Preference given to a student from McDonough County

The award is renewable: students reapply and enter the applicant pool each academic year.


Jacob Burlak Memorial Scholarship

The Jacob Burlak Scholarship was established in 1980 to honor Dr. Jacob Burlak, who came to Western Illinois University in 1977 as Chair of the Mathematics department. Prior to coming to Western, Dr. Burlak was senior editor at "Mathematics Review". During his career, Dr. Burlak taught at the University of Cape Town, University of Glasgow, North Carolina State University, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, Duke University.

The amount of the scholarship is $1000 per year.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Undergraduate student currently attending WIU
  • Mathematics major
  • Demonstrated outstanding scholarship through academics and activities in the major or through the department

The award is renewable: student must reapply and enter the applicant pool each year.


Elizabeth Glenadine Gibb Mathematics Scholarship

The Elizabeth Glenadine Gibb Mathematics Scholarship was established in 1987-88 as the result of a generous gift from the estate of the late Elizabeth Glenadine Gibb. It is awarded to outstanding students majoring in mathematics education. Dr. Gibb began building her professional career in the Department of Mathematics art WIU as a student. She had authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications including a landmark research study, many influential policy papers, and a major textbook series. She had taught in two secondary schools and eleven universities. She delivered invited lectures in six foreign countries. She had edited THE ARITHMETIC TEACHER and served the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics as Vice President and as President.

This is a four year automatically renewable scholarship given each year to a beginning freshman majoring in Mathematics-Teacher Education. If a committed Gibb scholarship becomes available for any reason it will be offered to another student of the same class rank.

The amount of the award is $1,000 per year.

Criteria for continuing students

  1. Must exemplify those personal traits which demonstrate potential for successful teaching.
  2. Majoring in Mathematics-Teacher Education
  3. Must maintain full-time undergraduate student status as a mathematics major with the teaching of mathematics as a career goal and maintain an overall college GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale and at least a 3.0 in all mathematics courses taken in the first year. A 3.2 (overall and in mathematics) is required by the end of the second year and thereafter.

The award is automatically renewable for up to 3 years.


Susan F. and Clifford H. Haka Scholarship in Mathematics

Susan F. and Clifford H. Haka both received their Bachelor's degree from Western in 1971. Sue majored and Cliff minored in Mathematics. One of only a few female math majors at that time, Sue later went on to receive Masters Degrees in Mathematics and Accounting, and a Doctorate degree in Accounting. Cliff earned an MBA and a Masters in Library Science. Both Sue and Cliff have worked in higher education throughout their careers.

Sue and Cliff have a strong belief in and commitment to helping the nation's youth and making their lives more meaningful. Sue and Cliff have been very generous in supporting the WIU mathematics and history departments and other programs to ensure students have an opportunity to pursue careers in mathematics and related fields.

This scholarship is a dedication to the opportunities afford to Sue and Cliff through their education at WIU and to the students who share their qualities; individuals who see the importance of working hard to achieve an education and then putting those skills and knowledge to the good of mankind.

Amount of the award is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Mathematics major in good standing with an overall major GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Preference will be given to students who are female, who have financial need, and an expressed desire to complete their degree in Mathematics
  • Preference will be given to a students who is at least a junior

Criteria for renewal: The scholarship may be renewable for the senior year if the student continues to make satisfactory progress and maintain 3.0 GPA. 


Ronald Paul Maurer Memorial Fund

The Ronald Paul Maurer Memorial Fund was established in 1970 by Mrs. Ruth Maurer (mother), family and friends of Ronald Maurer for a theatre arts or mathematics major. Professor Maurer, a math major with interests in speech and theatre arts, graduated from WIU in 1961. The scholarship is awarded alternative years with the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Amount of the award is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Mathematics or Theatre major
  • Have attended WIU at least two semesters (can apply during the second semester)
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Demonstrated qualities of dependability, responsibility, and initiative

The award is not renewable.


Fred Rattner Memorial Scholarship

Established in December of 1995 by Howard and Diane Rattner, and Aida Sahud upon death of their brother Fred Rattner, September, 1995. Howard received a BS in Physics Education from WIU in 1958; Fred received a BS in Math from WIU in 1965.

This is a scholarship given to a beginning freshman (when available). If a committed Rattner scholarship becomes available for any reason it will be offered to another student of the same class rank.

Amount of the award is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Maintain a full-time undergraduate student status as mathematics major at WIU.
  • Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in all courses completed at WIU.

The award is automatically renewable for up to 3 years.


Joseph and Mary Stipanowich Mathematics Scholarship

The Joseph and Mary Stipanowich Endowed Scholarship was established in 1987 by Joe and Mary Stipanowich. Mary received her B. S. in education at Western in 1944. Joe completed his B. S. in education at WIU in 1946 after serving in World War II. Joe served at Western in the Department of Mathematics from 1947 until his retirement in 1984, and served a chairperson in the department from 1958 to 1968. Mary also served as a member of the WIU faculty. She was acting dean of women on several occasions and taught in the WIU Campus School home economics department.

The amount of the award is $1,000 per year.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Full time undergraduate Mathematics major with teaching mathematics (Option B, Mathematics-Teacher Education) as a career goal.
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA (on 4.0 scale) in all mathematics courses, and a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA in all courses completed at Western Illinois University. 
  • Exemplify those personal traits which demonstrate potential for successful teaching, and be of good moral character.

The award is renewable: student must reapply and enter the applicant pool each year.


Timothy E. Tomlinson Mathematics Scholarship

This scholarship endowment fund has been established by Timothy E. Tomlnson to provide financial assistance to a full time undergraduate student at WIU majoring in mathematics with teaching mathematics as a career goal. Tim graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1971 and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics in 1973. Tim was commissioned in June of 1971 through the WIU ROTC program as a Distinguished Military Graduate, and went on to a successful career in the Regular Army, retiring in 1995 as a lieutenant Colonel, and having commanded a battalion. 

This is a four year automatically renewable scholarship given each year to a beginning freshman majoring in Mathematics-Teacher Education. If a committed scholarship becomes available for any reason it will be offered to another student of the same class rank.

Amount of the award is $1,000 per year.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Applicant must be a full time undergraduate student at WIU majoring in mathematics with teaching mathematics (Option B, Mathematics-Teacher Education) as a career goal.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Demonstrate financial need (using FAFSA or other information).
  • Exemplify those personal traits which demonstrate potential for successful teaching and be of strong moral character.
  • Activity/involvement within the community.

Criteria for renewal

  • Maintain a full-time undergraduate student status as a mathematics major at WIU with the teaching of mathematics as a career goal.
  • Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in all courses completed and at least a 3.0 in all mathematics courses completed at WIU.

The award is automatically renewable for up to 3 years.


Lynn J. and Mary L. Wolfmeyer Scholarship in Mathematics

The scholarship was established by Dr. Lynn and Mary Wolfmeyer in 2004. Dr. Wolfmeyer was a professor of mathematics at WIU from 1966 until his retirement in 2004. He and his wife, Mary, have created this scholarship to encourage and help support accomplished, local undergraduate students pursuing the completion of a degree in teaching of mathematics at the secondary school level.

Lynn and Mary continue to have a strong belief in and commitment to helping the nation's youth and making their lives more meaningful. They have been generous in supporting the WIU mathematics department and other programs to ensure students have an opportunity to pursue careers in mathematics and related fields.

This scholarship is in dedication to Lynn and Mary and their love for teaching and to the students who share that devotion; individuals who see the importance of working diligently to achieve an education and putting those skills and knowledge to the good of mankind.

The amount of the award is $1,000 per year.

Criteria for continuing students

  • Mathematics major in pursuit of a degree in teaching mathematics (Option B, Mathematics-Teacher Education) at the secondary school level
  • Junior or senior standing
  • Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0
  • Demonstrate service or leadership in the field of mathematics or mathematics education
  • Preference will be given to a student who completed high school in Macomb or West Central Illinois

Award may be automatically renewed by the department as long as the student remains in good standing with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.