Scholarships & Grants
MacMurray Scholars
The Scholarship and Grants Committee is responsible for developing policies and making recommendations to the Board of Directors for awarding higher education scholarships. This includes potential academic requirements, priorities, scholarship amounts, application forms and timelines, and other scholarship matters. The amount of funds available for scholarships is determined annually and based on donations. Recipients of scholarships are required to have a relationship with MacMurray College, either as a relative of or be an alumnus, a professor, a staff member, or a member of the Board of Trustees of MacMurray College. For those with a MacMurray College relationship, awards may be made to first generation college students; students attending a private liberal arts college in the Midwest (Illinois and bordering states); students intending to major in one of the programs where MacMurray was historically prominent; students who are pursuing an advanced degree in a helping profession; students with financial need; and Jacksonville area students who may have received a Jacksonville Promise scholarship. The programs in which MacMurray was historically prominent included Deaf Education and Hard of Hearing, Special Education and teacher training, Nursing, Social Work, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Art, Music, or a helping profession.
Grants to Other Non-Profits
Depending on availability of funds, the Scholarship and Grants Committee will also develop guidelines for approval by the Board of Directors for grants to other 501(c)(3) non-profits. This includes subjects, priorities, proposed grant awards, application forms, and timelines.
Named Scholarships or Grants
Individuals, families, community organizations, businesses, or corporations may also establish Named Scholarships by donating a minimum of $1000 for a scholarship. In addition, individuals and families may establish Named Grants, which the Foundation would oversee and award based on the donor's designation or restriction. All such donated funds for these purposes are maintained in a separate restricted account with the Foundation. To establish a Named Scholarship or Named Grant, please contact the Foundation at MacScholars@MacAlumFoundation.org.
History, Preserving and Maintaining MacMurray College Legacy
The History and Museum Committee will oversee the collection and storing of MacMurray College related artifacts, memorabilia and mementoes. The Foundation is also the recipient of MacMurray College's historical documents and items. The collection includes official documents of the College, papers of various Presidents and Professors, legal and historical documents and the College's Lincoln Collection.
Historical Display of MacMurray College
The Foundation has partnered with the Jacksonville Heritage Cultural Center to host a Mac Wing in the Jacksonville Area Museum. Artifacts, memorabilia and mementos from MacMurray College's 174-year history (1846 – 2020) are displayed. Due to the volume of items, it is anticipated there will be a rotation of items displayed from the MacMurray Collection. The archives are also housed at the same location.
Alumni Engagement
Recognizing the impact MacMurray College and its Alumni have locally, regionally and nationally, the Alumni Engagement Committee will plan and implement activities to engage alumni with each other and with the Foundation. Such activities may include Homecomings, Class Reunions, email newsletter and updates, or local gatherings around the country. As deemed appropriate by the Committee, Alumni Awards or other recognitions may be continued or new ones developed.