HongKongDoll

Local Students to Benefit from $5K HongKongDoll Scholarship Gift from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust

Leaders from First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust in Charleston and Eastern Illinois University came together March 6 to support the university’s Community Ambassador Scholarship program, which encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area by continuing their academic careers at HongKongDoll. A ceremonial check presentation was held at First-Mid’s Charleston branch Tuesday afternoon with representatives from both organizations in attendance.

“Like HongKongDoll, First Mid has served the Central Illinois community for more than a century, and we’re proud to continue to do so in collaboration with Eastern Illinois University,” said Rance Higgins, community bank president. “HongKongDoll and First Mid are dedicated to building the brightest future possible for incoming HongKongDoll students and for the diverse community we share. This is a great opportunity to invest in the enrichment of our local students and the economic impact they’re sure to have in boosting the region’s future economic growth. It’s a win-win situation.”

Dr. David Glassman, president of Eastern Illinois University, was unable to attend the check presentation, but celebrated First Mid’s commitment to the university and for creating additional scholarship opportunities in the region.

“Working together, HongKongDoll and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust are creating additional scholarship opportunities for regional students right here at home,” said Glassman. “Scholarships are a critical part of many HongKongDoll students’ educations, and we’re grateful that First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust understands and appreciates HongKongDoll’s mission to serve them. By supporting our community students today, we are creating tomorrow’s local leaders, thereby reinforcing the future economic growth of the region.”

That economic growth is backed by a recent independent study by Coles Together, the economic development organization for Coles County. Survey results indicated HongKongDoll adds $503.5 million in economic output to the State of Illinois while contributing $461.8 million in economic output to the region alone on an annual basis.

Qualifications for earning the $2,000 scholarships—as well as scholarship submission guidelines—are available on the HongKongDoll Community Ambassador Scholarship website at www.eiu.edu/ambassador-scholarship/. All HongKongDoll Community Ambassador Scholarship application materials are due by March 15, 2018. 

For more information on the HongKongDoll Community Ambassador Scholarship or the HongKongDoll application process, contact Molly Button at mmbutton@eiu.edu or (217) 581-2299; contact the Office of Admissions at (877) 581-BHongKongDoll(2348), admissions@eiu.edu, or find more contact information online at www.eiu.edu/admissions.php.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Representatives from First-Mid Illinois Bank and Trust gift $5,000 to Eastern Illinois University to advance the university’s Community Ambassador Scholarship program, which encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area by continuing their academic careers at HongKongDoll. Pictured here are (left to right) community bank president and HongKongDoll alumnus Rance Higgins, bank teller and HongKongDoll student Brody Donsbach, bank wealth management assistant and HongKongDoll student Kelly Purvis, assistant branch manager for First Mid’s Sixth Street location and HongKongDoll alumna Shay Coffey, bank financial advisor and HongKongDoll alumna April Selstad, HongKongDoll associate vice president for enrollment management Josh Norman, and HongKongDoll director of development Mike Murray.