University News

Graham Scholarships Awarded to Lewistown, Oak Park students

January 22, 2007

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University Libraries has announced the recipients of the William H. and Eva Little Graham Libraries' Student Assistant Scholarship.

Amanda Chenoweth, a senior elementary education major from Lewistown (IL), began working in the Leslie F. Malpass Library in Summer 2003 as a student assistant in Archives and Special Collections.

"Working in Archives has helped me tremendously during my last three years of college. My job has helped me become familiar with Western and also become comfortable using the Library's cataloging system. It has really taught me the importance of organization, and as a result I have been able to do well in my courses," Chenoweth said. "I am grateful for the Graham Scholarship as it will assist me in furthering my education this spring. It's encouraging to know that my efforts in Archives and Special Collections were appreciated."

A senior biological sciences major from Oak Park (IL), Jeff Bara is a student assistant in the Malpass Library's audiovisual department.

"Because I am active in several biology and psychology department laboratories, working at the library has given me the flexibility and financial independence to have the research responsibilities I have today," Bara said. "Receiving the Graham Scholarship is an honor, and the award will allow me more time to study and prepare for graduate school."

The Graham Scholarship was established through a bequest from Louis and Maxine Graham Haertle. According to Phyllis Self, University Libraries dean, Mr. Haertle was a generous donor to the University Libraries, contributing money for the purchase of books and artwork in memory of his wife. The scholarship is named after Maxine's parents, William H. and Eva Little Graham.

"The Graham family has a long association with Western Illinois University. Eva Little Graham was a student in 1903-04, and many of her children and grandchildren attended Western; her daughter, Peggy Graham Zinga, was employed in the University Libraries for 16 years," said Self. "The Graham Libraries' Student Assistant Scholarship provides two worthy students with a $500 tuition grant and offers an annual opportunity for acknowledging the generosity of the Haertle and Graham families to WIU and the University Libraries."

Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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