Gale Scholars Program Induction

The George Washington Gale Scholars Program inducted 15 students on Friday, May 4, in a ceremony at the Gale House, 127 E. North St., Galesburg. The program provides academic support and mentoring for academically-talented, first-generation, low-income students entering Galesburg High School, as well as tuition scholarships to Carl Sandburg College and Knox College.

"The Gale Scholars Program is unique," said Knox College President Roger Taylor, in his remarks to this year's inductees, their families, and previous year's inductees currently attending Galesburg High School. "From the research that I have done, nowhere in the country do a public school district, a community college and a private independent college cooperate to provide access" similar to the Gale Scholars Program, Taylor said.

The students are: Katrina Briggs, Malcolm Cagle, Randi Cecil, Dana Cliff, Caitlin Cole, Bianca Davies-Mears, Austin Travis Finley, Ricky Garcia, Samantha Guild, Chanda Harrell, Dallas Hendrickson, Quincy Hernandez, Cody Johnson, Colton Lavely, and Juliet Lisa Valencia.

Students in the program receive academic and mentoring guidance throughout high school and are required to participate in community service.

"We received a record number of applications this year, and we had to select the best students from that pool of candidates," said the program director, Les Hunter. "We are proud of what the Gale Scholars Program can do, and we are excited about this year's entering class."

With the addition of this year's class, Galesburg High School will have 54 students in the program this fall; 17 will be at Carl Sandburg College and nine will be attending Knox. The first Gale Scholar to graduate from Knox, Stacy Stremmel, received her degree in 2006, while four are expected to graduate from Knox in 2008.

"We are extremely proud of those numbers, and all those who complete the program and choose to go to another college," Hunter said. While the program includes tuition scholarships to Carl Sandburg College and Knox College, student are not required to attend either of the colleges.

Taylor cited Knox College's "Original Circular and Plan," drawn up in the 1830s by Gale and the other founders of Knox and the city of Galesburg. The founders believed in "the importance of providing an education to young men and young women regardless of the students' financial means and regardless of their race," Taylor said. "Knox has not lost sight of the founders original intent."

The induction ceremony was held at the Gale House, built by George Washington Gale in the 1840s and acquired by the College in 2006.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 44 nations. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Knox College President Roger Taylor, left, congratulates new Gale Scholar Ricky Garcia. Behind Taylor are Gene Denisar, Superintendent of Galesburg School District 205 and Les Hunter, Gale Scholars Program Director, at podium. Below, Taylor speaks at the induction. Bottom, Tom Chiles, Principal of Galesburg High School (left front) and Supt. Denisar (right front) with the new Gale Scholars.