Benjamin G. and Donna M. Hughes Scholarship in Chemistry

The Dr. Benjamin G. Hughes Chemistry Memorial Fund was established on July 26, 2007 following the passing of Dr. Hughes. The scholarship was revised to reflect both Ben and his wife Donna’s commitment to the advancement of a quality science education to the students of Western Illinois University. Ben and Donna met while attending WIU. They both graduated in 1959, Ben with an education degree in Chemistry and Donna in Biological Sciences. They raised five children and all attended or graduated from Western Illinois University.
Dr. Hughes worked as a chemistry professor at WIU from 1964 until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb and a charter member of the Zeta Theta Chapter of the TKE fraternity at WIU and also served as an Advisor for several years. He was a graduate of Lewistown High School. He received his Bachelor’s from WIU and his Master’s and Ph.D. from Iowa State University.
Dr. and Mrs. Hughes embraced education as a core value and believe that education is a key to success in life. To this end, Mrs. Hughes, in dedication to her late husband, created the Benjamin G. and Donna M. Hughes Scholarship in Chemistry to provide encouragement and support for others to achieve their higher educational goals and commitments.

CRITERIA:
Preference is given to a Chemistry Undergraduate or Graduate major interested in teaching.
Student must:
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale (overall and in the Chemistry major)
- Fill out an application