Scholarships

The Department of Communication has several scholarship opportunities for students.

Wayne N. Thompson Scholar Award

The Wayne N. Thompson Scholar Award is awarded to an undergraduate student. $500.00 is awarded in the Fall and Spring Semesters of each academic year. The student must be a declared Communication major with at least 90 semester hours completed, and an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students meeting these criteria will be determined by the Communication Departmental Wayne N. Thompson Endowment Committee and invited to apply. The applications are screened and selected by the committee. The deadline for application is determined each Fall and Spring. An eligible student who has received the award previously may apply again.

The Fall Semester recipient is recognized at the Foundation Scholars’ Recognition Ceremony in the Fall. The Spring Semester recipient is recognized at the annual Wayne N. Thompson Lecture in the Spring.

To inquire about the scholarship, please contact

Chair, Thompson Committee
Department of Communication
Sallee Hall
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455

SILYX Scholarship

The SILYX Scholarships were established in 2005 by William J. Paulding, President and CEO of SILYX Corporation and a graduate of WIU. The purpose of these scholarships is to assist minority, female, and disabled students who have either enrolled in or attend WIU. First priority is given to candidates who declare communication as their major. Second priority is given to candidates who are in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

STAFFLOGIX scholarship

The STAFFLOGIX scholarship is a $1,000 per semester scholarship available to be awarded to either a minority or female student. The scholarship is automatically renewed for an additional semester if the student is still enrolled at WIU.

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 60 hours toward the completion of their undergraduate degree and is in good standing at the university.

Candidates are required to complete an application and submit an essay of not more than 500 words which describes their lives and why they would like the scholarship. Applicants should write about such topics as their educational background, work history, challenges they have faced and how they dealt with those challenges, and their future plans.

The scholarship is intended for the payment of tuition, fees, books, room and board, or daycare expenses. Financial need is a consideration in the selection of the recipient.

Applications are due by April 15 for the following academic year.

Recipients are selected by the Department of Communication Thompson Committee. The committee will forward a copy of all essays written by applicants to Mr. Paulding after the recipient has been selected.

STAFFLOGIX Childcare Scholarships

The purpose of the STAFFLOGIX Childcare Scholarships is to assist single mothers who are students and who have either enrolled in or attend WIU. First priority is given to candidates who declare communication as their major. Second priority will be given to candidates who are in the College of Fine Arts & Communication. If any of the scholarships remain, then all WIU students are eligible.

Two $1,000 per semester scholarships will be available to pay the childcare expenses of single parents. The scholarship can be automatically renewed for an additional semester if the student is still enrolled at WIU. Any student accepted or currently in good standing at WIU is eligible to apply.

Candidates are required to complete an application and submit an essay of up to 500 words about their lives and why they are seeking the scholarship. Applicants should discuss their educational background, work history, challenges that they have faced and how they dealt with those challenges, and their future plans.

The scholarship is intended for the payment of daycare expenses. Financial need is a consideration in the selection of the recipient.

Applications are due by April 15 for the following academic year.

Recipients are selected by the Department of Communication Thompson Committee. The committee will forward a copy of all essays written by applicants to Mr. Paulding after the recipient has been selected.

For more information about the STAFFLOGIX scholarships, please contact

Scholarship Office
Sherman Hall 308
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309-298-2001
Website: http://www.wiu.edu/Scholarships/

Undergraduate Research Scholarship

The Undergraduate Research Scholarship was established in August 2007 as an annual scholarship to reward excellence in undergraduate research in the field of communication. The scholarship was established by a faculty member in the WIU Communication Department to reward students who achieve excellence in undergraduate research.

Two $500 annual awards are available. Either or both of the awards may be split and given to two deserving candidates. Teams of undergraduate research students may apply when submitting their research project collaboration.

Candidates must be a communication major or minor; have junior standing (60-90 credit hours completed at the time of application) and in good academic standing; and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Recipients are selected by the Department of Communication Thompson Committee.

Applications must be received by the deadline set each year by the department, generally mid to late April. Contact the Department of Communication for specific deadline dates each year.

To inquire about the scholarships, please contact:

Department of Communication
Sallee Hall
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455

Learn about other scholarships at the WIU Scholarship Website