(August 19, 2014) -- For more than 13 years, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) has raised money annually, in large part through employee fundraising efforts, to award scholarships to members continuing their education. The scholarship program is available to any qualifying member no matter what their age or education level. This scholarship can be used to help pay their tuition, accommodations, books, etc. at the college of their choice.
For the school year 2014-2015, the GLCU Scholarship Committee selected and awarded individual $1,000 scholarships to six students. “It is always a difficult selection process because of all the quality essays we receive,” said Yvonne Bailey, GLCU’s SVP-COO, “It wasvery satisfying this year to see the quality of writing from the applicants.”
Candidates were asked to write an essay on how they feel financial institutions can best serve their age group. Vikki Kaiser, GLCU’s President/CEO said, “It was encouraging to discover these students want and need electronic services that GLCU currently offers such as mobile banking, eZDeposit, eNotifications, Bill Pay, student loans and a helpful online College Resource Center. We wish our scholarship winners the best of success with their college endeavors!”
One special $4,000 scholarship was announced in memoriam of Ray Tesdahl, GLCU’s past CEO.
Mr. Tesdahl retired in 1988 after 32 years of service to GLCU. Under Ray’s guidance GLCU grew in assets from $5 million to $160 million. In addition, Ray oversaw the building of GLCU’s administrative headquarters in North Chicago which is still used as such today.
Winners of the scholarships are:
$4,000 Ray Tesdahl Scholarship Recipient
- Kayla Hope, Brigham Young University
$1,000 Scholarship Recipients
- Devon Malo, The University of Alabama
- Megan Ramirez, Vanderbilt University
- Merrillyn Chandler, Moraine Valley Community College
- Christopher Fisher, Columbia College
- Adrian Lachica, Illinois State University
- Jessica Quinn, The University of Illinois
Left to Right: Jessica Quinn, Christopher Fisher, Vikki Kaiser (GLCU President/CEO), Megan Ramirez
Not Pictured: Kayla Hope, Devon Malo, Merrillyn Chandler, Adrian Lachica
GLCU has 56,000 plus members and over $630 million in assets headquartered in North Chicago with branches in Antioch, Bolingbrook, Country Club Hills, Gurnee, Naperville, Round Lake Beach, South Holland, Waukegan, Willow Springs and Zion, Illinois.