Scholarships & Endowments
At BenU, we are committed to supporting our students’ success by offering opportunities to make their education more accessible. Through Benedictine University Scholarships & Endowments, we help students achieve their academic goals and invest in their future as Eagles and Redhawks.
This endowment was established by alumni, colleagues, family, and friends of David Rausch, PhD, Professor Emeritus, in recognition of 40 years (1966-2006) of outstanding teaching, research, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students at St. Procopius College/Illinois Benedictine College/Benedictine University.
The endowment fund is a resource for the Chemistry Department to draw on for significant program needs that are not covered in the department’s regular budget. The intention is that this will be a fund that will exist in perpetuity and be used to fund:
- Faculty/Undergraduate Student Research Projects (which may include student research stipends)
- The purchase of major chemical instruments (requirements of matching grants is given a priority)
The goal is to fund the endowment at $1,000,000 by 2030.
Giving Levels:
A plaque was designed by the Rausch Family to honor Dr. Rausch, explain the endowment, and recognize the contributors by the level of participation. A permanent magnetic plate will be inscribed with the donor’s name and graduation date (if applicable) and positioned in the appropriate category below as contributions are made. The plate is magnetic and can be easily adjusted as additional contributions are received.
- C (Carbon): $50,000
- Pt (Platinum): $15,000
- Au (Gold): $5,000
- Ag (Silver): $1,000
The total pledge can be donated up front or spread over a five-year period. The goal is to identify 6 donors for the C category, 15 donors for the Pt category, 24 donors in the Au category and more than 100 donors in the Ag category.
For questions regarding the Rausch Endowment Fund or to make a contribution, please contact Mark McHorney at 630-829-6150 or email [email protected]
Use the button below to make a gift. Please indicate “Rausch Endowment” in the Designation field.
Kirk Grummer graduated from Downers Grove North High School in 1997 having been recruited by a number of colleges and universities to play basketball, one of which was Benedictine University. He attended Wabash College in Indiana his freshman year but did not return for his sophomore year, moving instead to Michigan, where he took part time classes at Macomb County Community College for one year before returning to Downers Grove, IL. Kirk then worked full time, married, had two children, and attended Benedictine University part time, completing his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in December 2014.
In 2015, Kirk relocated to Flower Mound, Texas where he became the CEO of AP Americas. Kirk decided to pursue his master’s degree at Benedictine, graduating magna cum laude in 2017 and discussed going on for a doctorate degree, which was typical of his pursuit of higher education.
Kirk passed away suddenly in July 2023. Establishing a memorial scholarship at Benedictine to support adult learners in their pursuit of higher education honors Kirk’s commitment to learning and his efforts in mentoring others in their educational and professional endeavors.
For questions regarding the Kirk Grummer Memorial Scholarship, or to make a contribution, please contact Mark McHorney at 630-829-6150 or email [email protected]
Use the button below to make a gift. Please indicate “Kirk Grummer Memorial Scholarship” in the Designation field.
James Meehan, ’66, PhD, Professor Emeritus, a beloved figure at Benedictine University, touched the campus on multiple levels: as a student, an educator, and a generous benefactor. He joined the faculty in 1971, even after retirement continuing to volunteer as a math tutor, his dedication shining through.
His connection to athletics ran deep. In his years as an undergrad, he participated in intramurals, even embarking on an unforgettable train journey to support the men’s basketball team – a journey that ended with a blizzard stranding them and the game relocated, but not his enthusiasm. He continued this passion on faculty teams and local softball leagues, and for several years, kept the scorebook for the Benedictine men’s basketball team.
Dr. Meehan’s academic journey was impressive. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from St. Procopius College in 1966, he pursued advanced degrees: a Master of Science in Mathematics from Marquette University (1968), a Master of Science in Statistics from Purdue University (1971), and finally, a Doctor of Arts from the University of Illinois/Chicago (1984). He credited his early success to the dedicated faculty at Procopius.
He loved teaching, but his generosity extended beyond the classroom. He organized study sessions for students interested in actuarial science, helping many pass the first two exams.
This endowment will be used to support faculty/student research. Dr. Meehan’s legacy is one of deep impact, leaving a mark on generations of students of the past and, through this endowment, students of the future as well.
For questions regarding the James Meehan Endowed Fund for Mathematical and Computational Sciences, or to make a contribution, please contact Mark McHorney at 630-829-6150 or email [email protected]
Use the button below to make a gift. Please indicate “James Meehan Endowed Fund for Mathematical and Computational Sciences” in the Designation field.