Juanita Jean Riley Memorial Scholarship Endowment

To provide scholarship support within the SIUE School of Engineering. Criteria for the selection are as follows:

• Must have graduated from high schools in Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis, Belleville, Illinois or the City of St. Louis, Missouri
• Must be a full time declared engineering student who is a freshman, sophomore, or junior
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must submit a 500-word essay that explains why you best represent the life and legacy of Juanita Jean Riley. Describe how you overcame the obstacles you faced on your path to getting a college degree, how you have demonstrated academic excellence, volunteerism, and/or your engagement in student organizations, employment, or research. The essay should consider the life and legacy of Juanita Riley, a proud resident of East St. Louis and hardworking U.S. Postal Service employee in the City of St. Louis, who devoted her life to family. She instilled in her daughter a belief in education, independence, and perseverance—always reminding her that education was the one thing no one could ever take away from her. Her sacrifices and steadfast encouragement helped propel her daughter, Tyria Riley, to move from Cahokia Heights and become a graduate of Belleville High School. Tyria persevered over many years, while working full-time, to become an electrical engineer who earned her Ph.D. Juanita’s legacy continues today by helping students from the communities that shaped her family and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

Donor also requests consideration of students who:

• Would not traditionally pursue a degree in engineering

The amount of the award shall be based on funds available. Recipient(s) of this scholarship will be chosen by a committee appointed by the Dean of School of Engineering which shall be made up of faculty members from within that unit in consultation with the Office of Student Financial Aid. The committee may elect to award all or part of the available funds to one student or to more than one student. The scholarship may be renewable at the discretion of the Dean if the candidate maintains good academic standing and progresses toward a School of Engineering degree.