Every year, Illinois’ electric cooperatives support future rural Illinois leaders with the Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperatives (IEC) Memorial Scholarship program. These scholarships aren’t just financial aid; they are a way to honor the rich legacy of the Illinois electric cooperative community.
Established in 1994, the fund was the brainchild of Thomas H. Moore, a former general manager of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC). First awarded in 1996, the scholarship program has grown from awarding two $1,000 scholarships to 17 $2,500 scholarships annually.
Moore strongly believed in the power of education and community support, envisioning a scholarship fund that would not only assist deserving students but also commemorate co-op employees who have passed. After his death in 2008, the scholarship was renamed in his honor.
The scholarship program thrived under the leadership of Earl Struck, who served as the AIEC’s president/CEO from 1994 to 2006. Following Struck’s death in 2007, the AIEC board voted to create a scholarship in his memory, known as the Earl W. Struck Memorial Scholarship. This award goes to a student who has a parent who works for an electric cooperative in Illinois.
First awarded in 2011, the LaVern and Nola McEntire Memorial Lineworker’s Scholarship carries with it the legacy of a man who dedicated more than 42 years to his role as a co-op lineworker. LaVern and his wife Nola, both of whom have since passed, created this scholarship to help future lineworkers follow in LaVern’s footsteps. The scholarship helps offset the cost of attending lineworker school at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
Applicants are judged based on their academic achievements, work and volunteer experience, and community involvement. Creative, thoughtful responses in the required written essay are key to standing out.
If you are an eligible applicant, don’t miss your chance. Applications and more information are available through your local electric cooperative or go to aiec.coop/iec-scholarship. For 16 of the scholarships, the deadline to submit is Dec. 31, 2024, so start your application today. If applying for the lineworker scholarship, that deadline is April 30, 2025.
With scholarships like these, Illinois electric cooperatives are powering not just communities, but futures. Whether you dream of becoming a lineworker or are following a different path to success, these scholarships offer a bright opportunity for deserving students across the state.
