Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Student Leadership Awards and Scholarships
The Dean of Students Office is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Student Leadership Awards. These annual awards recognize Illinois State University students for excellence in student leadership and involvement. Nominations were accepted for the following awards:
Ritamae Carroll Memorial First-Year Involvement Award recognizes a first-year student (freshman or transfer) who has been an active member of Illinois State’s campus community while staying in good academic standing. Mike Schermer Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who has made significant contributions to the Illinois State community and embodies leadership and excellence. Billy Quigley Leader in Action Award recognizes student leaders who have a history of mentoring and guiding their fellow students and have a passion for creating social change at Illinois State. The Spangler Scholarship for Social Justice provides financial support to students who demonstrate a commitment to pursuing social justice activism in their future careers and are currently involved in a Registered Student Organization that explores LGBTQ+ or women's issues. Tina and Mick Rowe Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students provide financial assistance for students of any major who have experienced life circumstances that put their dream of graduating on hold.
This year, around 300 nominations were collectively submitted for the awards. Of those nominees, the following six students were selected to receive an award and a monetary scholarship: Ritamae Carroll Memorial First-Year Involvement Award: Audrey Jayne This award recognizes a student who, in their first year at Illinois State University, has become an active member of the campus community while maintaining good academic standing. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award. This year's winner is Audrey Jayne, a first-year student in the Honors Program, double majoring in economics and political science. Mike Schermer Outstanding Student Leader Award: Gabriela Ledesma This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Illinois State University community. This student exemplifies leadership and excellence through their service and dedication to the student body, demonstrated through a willingness and ability to work with others in an effort to better the quality of student life for all. This year's winner is Gabriela Ledesma, a senior studying international business and business analytics. Billy Quigley Leader in Action Awards: Keara Gray and Kathleen Lyons William “Billy” Quigley Jr. was a dedicated student leader at Illinois State University at the time of his death on November 26, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident. This award honors student leaders at Illinois State in memory of Billy’s enthusiasm, dedication, and pride. The student should have demonstrated experience guiding fellow students through individual mentoring and supportive behavior and promoting a passion for creating targeted social change at Illinois State University. This year's winners are Keara Gray, a senior majoring in public health and Kathleen Lyons, a junior studying biological sciences with a concentration in physiology, neuroscience, and behavioral studies. The Spanger Scholarship for Social Justice: Ella Woodruff The purpose of the Spangler Scholarship for Social Justice is to provide financial support to students who demonstrate a commitment to pursuing social justice activism in their future careers. The winner must be a past or present active member of a Registered Student Organization at Illinois State University that advocates for or explores LGBTQ+ or women's issues and must define their work and commitment to social justice on campus or in the community by submitting a personal statement. This year's winner is Ella Woodruff, a junior majoring in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Tina and Mick Rowe Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students: Le'Jardin Sterling Cobb The Tina and Mick Rowe Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students is designed to provide financial assistance for students of any major. The winner must have graduated high school, or completed GED, a minimum of 10 years before enrolling, hold junior or senior class standing and be currently enrolled at Illinois State University, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and submit a personal statement demonstrating their determination to earn a college degree, acknowledging how life circumstances may have put their dream of graduating temporarily on hold. This year's winner is Le’Jardin Sterling Cobb, a junior majoring in Sociology. Award recipients will be formally recognized at the Redbirds Lead Celebration Reception hosted by the Dean of Students Office Leadership Education and Development unit on Friday, April 25, from 5:00–7:30 p.m. in the Aaron Leetch Stadium Club at Hancock Stadium.
