The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone has established a new scholarship at Shawnee Community College called the Willard Murrie Scholarship.  The scholarship honors founding SIDEZ Board member Willard Murrie of Vienna.  Murrie served on the SIDEZ Board of Directors since the empowerment zone was established in 1999 until his passing on April 20, 2017.  Murrie helped secure the empowerment zone designation by volunteering to gather support letters from businesses and governmental bodies in three states.  Murrie requested that the scholarship be awarded to students with an exemplary record of volunteer service to the community.

The SIDEZ Board of Directors has raised more than $20,000 to endow the scholarship.  A $500 yearly scholarship will be awarded to a Shawnee Community College student.  For more information regarding the qualifications for the scholarship or for an application, click here.

Tax deductible donations to the Willard Murrie Scholarship Fund may be made to SIDEZ.