Eleven local students receive Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship
Illinois College is proud to announce the 2024-2025 recipients of the Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship, awarded annually to students entering IC directly from high school. This year’s scholarship supports 11 students from communities across Greene, Morgan, and Scott counties.
The 2024-2025 recipients are:
- Justine Gaive Agsalda ’26 of Jacksonville, IL
- Isaac Anderson ’27 of Jacksonville, IL
- Aurora Baker ’28 of Carrollton, IL
- Daxton Baptist ’27 of Jacksonville, IL
- Meryn Davis ’27 of Jacksonville, IL
- Hunter Gillis ’27 of Jacksonville, IL
- Tiffany Hill ’27 of Meredosia, IL
- Camille Lyons ’25 of Greenfield, IL
- Payton Mueller ’25 of Chapin, IL
- Sara Ralston ’26 of White Hall, IL
- Kathleen Watson ’27 of South Jacksonville, IL
The Howard and Vera Million Endowed Scholarship was established through a generous $2.35 million gift from the estate of Howard and Vera Million. Howard Million H’12, a lifelong resident of the region and founder of the former Roodhouse Savings and Loan Association, was dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students in rural Illinois. His legacy continues to impact the lives of students who demonstrate academic promise and a commitment to their communities.
The Million Endowed Scholarship and others like it fuel Illinois College’s Advantage Plus program — a bold initiative designed to make an IC education as affordable as other four-year colleges, public or private, while delivering the unmatched value of IC’s 200-year legacy of innovation. Advantage Plus guarantees all first-year, on-campus students a minimum of $80,000 in scholarships over four years. For Illinois residents with a 3.0 GPA, the College pledges to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. The program also includes key benefits like textbooks included in tuition and a commitment to on-time graduation in four years — a full year faster than the national average for public universities. These guarantees translate into real savings, faster entry into the workforce, and a stronger return on investment for students and families.
Illinois College remains committed to providing transformative educational experiences, combining rigorous academics with financial support to prepare students for success in their careers and communities. Innovative majors such as nursing, which uses cutting-edge virtual reality technology in brand new clinical labs, and the College’s hybrid computer science program with classes created in collaboration with Google, ensure students Graduate READY for personal and professional success.