April 25, 2012 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Five Illinois Wesleyan students are the first to be honored as Eckley Scholars and Artists.

The group of students includes English literature major Rachel Branson '14 of Overland Park, Kan.; chemistry major Justyna Koscielniak '14 of Lake Zurich, Ill.; psychology major Daniel Maurer '12 of Forrest, Ill.; art major Dustin Springer '13 of Normal and biology and international studies double major Sarah Takushi '13 of Skokie, Ill.

The recipients will participate in the Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Summer Scholars and Artists Program, established this year as part of a $515,000 gift by the late President Emeritus Robert S. Eckley, his wife Nell and the Eckley Family Foundation. The endowment also includes funds for the Robert S. Eckley Lecture in Economics. The Eckley Summer Scholars and Artists endowment will support summer research and creative activity for four to five students each year, enabling them to stay on campus over the summer to work under the direction of faculty mentors.

Branson will be sponsored by Isaac Funk Professor of German and Russian, and Director of International Studies Marina Balina. Koscielniak will work with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Manor Perera. Maurer will be mentored by Assistant Professor of Psychology Amanda Vicary. Springer will work under the guidance of Director of the School of Art and Professor of Art Miles Bair and Takushi will be sponsored by Associate Professor of Biology William Jaeckle.

"I commend all of the students and faculty who developed proposals for this new program," said Provost and Dean of the Faculty Jonathan Green. "The quality of applications is a testament to the fine work being done between students and faculty across the campus and a confirmation of the need to develop these new opportunities."

Contact: Sherry Wallace, (309) 556-3181, univcomm@iwu.edu