Realized Planned Gift Funds Degree Completion Scholarships

MACOMB, IL - A generous estate gift from a Western Illinois University alumna is providing opportunities for returning students to complete their degrees.

Jeanne Schilling graduated from high school in Iowa in 1947 and completed two years of college coursework. She then moved to Austria for two years before returning to the States and continuing to work in Colorado and Illinois, retiring from the Rock Island Arsenal in 1989.

After retiring, Schilling enrolled in the Board of Trustees degree program at WIU, now the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) program. She completed this program and earned her WIU degree in 1992.

Schilling died in 2022, but her legacy is living on at WIU. Through her estate, she has left the WIU Foundation a six-figure gift, with the wish that the money be used for scholarships.

Today, that gift is funding opportunities for students like Schilling. Thanks to the Jeanne Schilling Estate, a minimum of 12 scholarships, valued at $500 each, will be awarded annually to students in the new Finish Line degree completion program.

"I think this will be a very nice way to honor Jeanne and her educational path," said Schilling's brother, John Schilling, who now lives in Los Angeles.

In line with Schilling's wishes, students enrolled in the BGS program in Macomb, in the Quad Cities or fully online will be eligible for these scholarships.

"Through her generosity, Jeanne is creating opportunities for more Leathernecks to come back to school and finish their degrees. This gift is a vote of confidence from Jeanne to other Leathernecks out there who need a little extra time to graduate. We are grateful Jeanne chose to support other WIU students through her planned gift," said Vice President for Advancement, Alumni Relations and Athletics Clare Thompson.

Finish Line: Supporting Returning Leathernecks is a new initiative launched in April 2024 to assist students who have completed at least 90 credit hours at WIU but have not finished their degree.

"WIU is ready to help students achieve their undergraduate degree and cross the finish line, no matter when they started their educational journey. Support from Jeanne's estate ensures a path for students who may need a little additional help getting there," said Assistant Vice President for Student Success Justin Schuch.

For more information on the Finish Line program, visit wiu.edu/finish. If you are considering including WIU in your will and would like to learn more, contact Amy Crosby, director of development, at al-crosby@wiu.edu.