George Washington Gale Scholars Class of 2021 Induction May 9

  Aaron Frey
  Wednesday, May 3, 2017 8:56 AM
  Athletics

Galesburg, IL

Members of the George Washington Gale Scholars Class of 2021 will be inducted during a ceremony at 1 p.m. May 9 in the Crist Student Center on Carl Sandburg College’s Main Campus in Galesburg, 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.

The induction ceremony is the initial step for Galesburg District 205 eighth-graders selected for the program in a path toward a tuition-free education through Sandburg and Knox College.

Named after the founder of Galesburg and Knox, the Gale Scholars program is a collaborative effort between Sandburg, Knox and District 205. Students who complete the program in high school receive tuition-waiver scholarships toward the completion of associate and bachelor's degree programs at Sandburg and Knox, respectively.

Students selected to the Gale Scholars program must have a financial need based upon federal guidelines, be a first-generation college student, demonstrate a commitment to school through a 90 percent attendance rate and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5.

Participants must complete 20 hours of community service each year, be involved in at least two school activities per year, attend summer programs and workshops for academic and leadership enrichment and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout their coursework.

The Gale Scholars program was established in 1996 to encourage and support higher education aspirations and success among academically promising, income-eligible students within District 205. It has been designated a “Best Practice” by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Association of School Boards.