Since 1996, a truly unique education initiative has been promoting scholars locally, but it’s much more than just a scholarship.
The Gale Scholars Program turns 20 this year and the partnership between Galesburg High School, Carl Sandburg College and Knox College has sent plenty of first generation and income eligible students through school on its dime.
Program director Steve Cheesman says 16 students at Sandburg, 18 at Knox and 51 at GHS are involved this year. He tells Galesburg’s Evening News on WGIL what makes the program unique is that there’s little to compare it to.
“One of the things we continue to do is to try and dig up information about similar programs and it’s hard to find,” Cheesman says. “It’s just a masterpiece in terms of the opportunities it provides young people and the criteria behind it. It’s just outstanding in all ways.”
The program gives a tuition-free waiver to students who go from high school to Sandburg and on to Knox. First-generation college students, income eligible students and junior high school students with a 2.5 gpa can apply.
To celebrate, Cheeseman says they’ll likely hold a reception later this month in correlation with Sandburg turning 50 years old. That ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24th.
