Rock Island Today

Graduate students in Western Illinois University's (WIU) College Student Personnel (CSP) program will have help affording their education, thanks to a new scholarship endowed by longtime WIU fundraiser and alumna Kellie Kohler-Esters.

"I have worked in development most of my professional career, and I have worked with hundreds of donors who have paid it forward by giving back to help others," Kohler-Esters said. "Fortunately, I am in a position to be able to put my money where my mouth is and do the same thing I have asked so many before me to do -- and that is to help pave the way for others."

Kohler-Esters said she was inspired in part by the help she received from others in affording her own education at WIU and hopes the scholarship will help stem a decrease in state education funding.

"Western invested in me as a graduate student, and now I am investing in Western and future CSP students," she said. "I believe in leading by example and feel strongly that I should do what I have asked so many others to do, and that is to give back to something you are passionate about and make a meaningful difference. It is my hope that others reading this story will consider the impact their Western education has had on them and their career and consider how they too can benefit future WIU students for years to come."

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduate level CSP student studying in the program's student affairs track.