WALTER ROWLAND AND ALENA BELLE PURDUM SCHOLARSHIP

Alena Belle (Foster) Purdum graduated in the first Normal School graduating class. She was married to Walter Rowland Purdum; their 3 daughters all graduated from WIU. The scholarship is given by Ed Gettinger, son of Martha Purdum, in memory of his mother’s parents as a symbol of the long family connection. Ed came to WIU in 1990 as Chair of the Art Department.

This account was established in 1999 after a gift was received from Martha J. Larson on behalf of her sisters, Karen Gettinger and Stephanie Kreunan, and brother, Edmond Gettinger, to create the Walter Rowland and Alena Belle Purdum Scholarship fund in memory of their mother, Martha Purdum Gettinger, who was a graduate of WIU, a teacher, and a life-long supporter of the Arts. All children have ties to WIU as well. The scholarship is given in memory of their mother as a symbol of the long connection their family and offspring have had to WIU.

CRITERIA:
 Major in Art Education
 Minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA
 Minimum 60 semester hours of credit at the time the scholarship is awarded
 Demonstrate leadership qualities as demonstrated by department and university involvement
 Demonstrate potential contributions to the teaching profession