Awards and Scholarships
Each spring, KNR holds the Esther Larson McGinnis Academic Achievement and Service Awards Ceremony to recognize high-achieving students.
Eligible students are either nominated or invited to apply for an award by KNR faculty. Students will receive an email notification with a link to an online application in late January or early February of each year.
Learn more about our current award and scholarship recipients.
Athletic Training
- McGinnis Distinguished Senior AT
- Professional Development Award
- Robert “Doc” Kief Scholarship
- Kathy Schniedwind Scholarship
Requirements
- 3.25 cumulative ISU GPA
- Graduating senior
- Professional image and interest in athletic training
- Minimum three full-time semesters enrolled in clinical program
- Outstanding participation in clinical program
- Recommendation of AT faculty/staff
Requirements
- Senior AT major
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Recommendation of program faculty
Requirements
- Full-time undergraudate student enrolled in good standing
- AT major
- Completed at least 60 credit hours
- Demonstrated academic achievement
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
Preference is given to a non-traditional student who demonstrates a financial need, has a goal to teach and work with sports teams, and demonstrates competency in athletic settings.
This fund supports an outstanding junior-level AT student who is certified by the NATA and active in the AT club.
Exercise Science
- McGinnis Distinguished Senior ES (August to August)
- Professional Development Award
- Michael Collins Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Requirements
- 3.0 cumulative ISU GPA
- Three full-time ISU semesters (greater than 40 hrs.)
- Declared ES major
- Demonstrated professional interest in fitness field
Requirements
- Senior ES major
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Recommendation of program faculty
Requirements
- ES junior or senior in good standing
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Displays a “pay it forward” attitude
- Committed to helping people achieve their goals
Preference is given to a student who demonstrates a financial need.
PETE
- McGinnis Distinguished Senior PETE
- Professional Development Award
- Mary Alice Behling Scholarship
- Doris E. Henderson Physical Education Academic and Professional Leadership Award
- Betty Keough Honorary Teacher Education Scholarship Award
- Betty Keough Junior Academic Achievement Award in PETE
- Judith Rothermel Physical Education Scholarship
Requirements
- Demonstrated excellence in KNR 158, 221, 242, 358, 399.74, 399.75
- 2.75 cumulative ISU GPA; 3.0 major GPA
- Demonstrated leadership andprofessionalism at ISU through professional organizations and service activities
- Awards, honors and special recognition during college experience
Requirements
- Senior PETE major
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Recommendation of program faculty.
Requirements
- Full-time undergraduate student in good standing
- Earned a minimum 24 hours of credits from ISU prior to application
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Preference is given to students majoring in PETE.
Requirements
- Good Standing at ISU
- Completed a minimum of 75 hours of credit at the undergraduate level
- Demonstrated academic achievement
- Minimum 3.2 GPA
- PETE major
- Demonstrated leadership and/or volunteered in activities on campus or in the community
Requirements
- Teacher Education major
- 3.0 minimum ISU cumulative GPA
- Leadership history, service history, professional participation
Requirements
- Junior PETE student
- 60-89 ISU hours completed
- Minimum 3.3 ISU GPA
- An “A” in both KNR 158 and 225
Requirements
- Junior PETE major
- Positive role model through personal well-being and living a healthy lifestyle
Preference is given to students planning to teach K-12 Physical Education in an Illinois public school system.
Recreation and Park Administration
- McGinnis Distinguished Senior RPA
- Professional Development Award
- Ellen Abshire Recreation and Park Administration Service Award
- Recreation and Park Administration Spirit Award
- Sandra Little Groves Legacy Scholarship
Requirements
- 3.25 cumulative ISU GPA
- Graduating senior in RPA
- Demonstrated service to community and profession
- Projects image of leadership and professionalism
Requirements
- Senior RPA major
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Recommendation of program faculty
Requirements
- 2.2 cumulative ISU GPA
- RPA junior or senior (60 hours)
- Member of ISU Park and Recreation Student Society in the current academic year
- Actively involved in two or more: student societies, professional societies, service to ISU, KNR, or community agencies
Requirements
- Declared RPA major
- Displays positive, enthusiastic ”can do” attitude towards university, program, peers, and faculty
- Displays professional and ethical behavior in a variety of situations
- Actively promotes and advances program
- Demonstrates potential for future career in recreation and leisure studies
Requirements
- Declared sophomore or junior RPA major
- Displays strong potential and promise in the field of recreation
- Enrolled full time in the fall semester that follows the spring scholarship award
Graduate Students
- Graduate Assistant Teaching Award
- L. Marlene Mawson Graduate Research Potential Scholarship
Requirements
- Outstanding contributions to teaching in Active for Life Program
- At least half time for two full semesters
This reward can only be received once.
Requirements
- Graduate degree student in KNR intending to complete thesis or dissertation (Thesis/dissertation research proposal must be accepted by his/her thesis/dissertation committee prior to April 1)
- Completed thesis/dissertation proposal form to Graduate School prior to April 1.
The thesis/dissertation chair will be notified by KNR Graduate Program Director or Graduate Program Secretary of the student’s eligibility for the award at the time proposal is forwarded to Graduate school.
Additional Awards and Scholarships
- Wes Bair Scholarship
- Gina L. Bianchi Scholarship
- Howard Hancock Athletic Achievement Award
- Clifford E. Horton Scholarship Award
- Joyce Morton Kief Future Professional Award
- Darlene A. Kluka Scholarship
- Trent R. Richards Scholarship Fund
- Diane Ryon Scholarship
- Dr. Peter Yuan Kai Wang Scholastic Excellence Award
Requirements
- Junior (55+ credit hours) or Senior (85+ credit hours) KNR Student in good standing at Illinois State University
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Evidence of extracurricular, volunteer or community service involvement that demonstrates leadership potential
- Two letters of recommendation by faculty members
This scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement for KNR majors in the early stages of their academic program.
Requirements
- KNR major with less than 60 credit hours
- Minimum cumulative ISU GPA of 3.0
- Demonstrated strong academic achievement
- Demonstrated involvement in professional activities (major club, professional organizations, etc.)
Requirements
- Senior athlete majoring in KNR
- Distinguished athletic achievement
- Recommendation of Head Coach
Requirements
- Junior athlete in good standing
- Demonstrates leadership qualities
- Promotes professional aspects of Kinesiology, including all aspects of athletics
Requirements
- Undergraduate junior or senior in good standing in KNR
- Demonstrated persistence, work ethic, and high standards in academics and professional activities
- Outstanding record of professional involvement (active involvement in major club, leadership in major club, involvement at with professional organizations, etc.)
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher desirable
Requirements
- Student in good academic standing
- Planning to coach
- Demonstrated strong academic achievement
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Requirements
- KNR major
- Junior (55+ hours) in good academic standing
- Demonstrated strong academic achievement
- 3.0 GPA
This scholarship is awarded in the fall of junior year.
This scholarship makes the transition process for transfer students more manageable.
Requirements
- Transfer student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Preference given first to Physical Education Teacher Education students, then to Therapeutic Recreation students, and finally, to all other majors in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.
Amount: Scholarship amount will be determined by the annual spending distribution of the fund. Each award should be a minimum $1,000 with multiple scholarships to be awarded.
Application Deadline: March 8
Requirements
- Senior and Junior KNR Major with the highest major GPA
- Campus or professional involvement
- Preference will be given to students demonstrating rigor in their academic studies (i.e., dual major outside of KNR, participating in honors program, taking graduate courses, etc.)