About The LeaderShape Institute
This retreat provides participants the opportunity for self-discovery, self-reflection and feedback in a community of approximately 60 peers. Not a typical leadership retreat, the Institute is grounded in helping individuals identify the values they hold that lead to making a difference in the communities around them. Through self-assessment, intensive small group discussions, team building challenges, and more, participants will develop a vision for something they care about.

By leading with passion, integrity, and a healthy disregard for the impossible, participants explore who they are and the impact that they want to have on communities working towards a more caring, just and equitable society. 

Dr. Jerry Burnam held the position of Associate Dean of Academics Affairs for many years in the College of Applied Health Sciences and retired in 2000. This scholarship is designated for undergraduate AHS students who are transferring (or transferred) to the college from another institution of higher learning or from another college within the University of Illinois. Preference is given to students who are first generation, have a history of volunteerism and community service, participated in the U.S. military or ROTC, or graduated from an Illinois high school in a “low sending” county. Students must have a FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid to be considered for this award. The scholarship recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship credited to their student account. This year a maximum of two scholarships will be awarded. First preference will be given to students who transferred from another institution of higher learning, or to those who transferred into the College of AHS from another college within the University of Illinois.

Ralph Geeseman provided 39 years of service to the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology. He was proud of his service to the College but also to his service in the United States Navy. Applicants must be students currently enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences who have either served in or are training for a branch of the US Military, or who are dependents of active members of the military. Preference is given to students enrolled in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. The scholarship recipient will receive a $2,000 scholarship credited to their student account. This year a maximum of three scholarships will be awarded.

This award is given to an undergraduate who has a demonstrated interest in multicultural issues. The Floyd and Etta McAfee Award was created by the family of the late Col. McAfee, a 1956 U of I graduate in physical education, and Mrs. McAfee to honor their parents' commitment to education and to helping others reach their potential. Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences who have financial need (as verified by the Office of Student Financial Aid). The selected student will receive a $2,000 award. This year a maximum of one scholarship will be awarded.

Ronald Stopka received his Bachelors (’62) and Masters of Science (’64) in Physical Education from the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois. He and Patricia established this scholarship to support students in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Applicants must be undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Applied Health Sciences. The scholarship recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship credited to their student account. This year a maximum of two scholarships will be awarded.

Dr. Kenneth Watkin was the founding Director of the Center on Health, Aging and Disability, a faculty member at the College of Applied Health Sciences, and also held appointments in the Beckman Institute and the College of Medicine before retiring in 2016. Dr. Watkin’s research interests included the development of nanoparticles for drug delivery, imaging contrast agents for image guided therapy, and cyber-physical systems for health monitoring and therapy; high resolution 3-D multimodal brain imaging; and nanomedicine. This memorial scholarship was established by his wife, Dr. Tanya Gallagher, the former dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences. The scholarship allows those with disabilities to receive funding without getting a note from a doctor or healthcare provider that confirms their disability. The recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship credited to their student account. This year a maximum of one scholarship will be awarded.

Dr. Burris F. Husman completed a Bachelors degree in the College of Education and a Masters degree in Physical Education from the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois. Dr. Husman retired as a professor from the University of Maryland where his research interests included fitness and physical education programs. This scholarship fund was established to assist undergraduates in the College of Applied Health Sciences. The recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship credited to their student account. This year a maximum of three scholarships will be awarded.

The AHS Study Abroad Scholarship is open to applications from College of Applied Health Sciences undergraduates who are participating in a study abroad experience during the fall 2023, spring 2024 or summer 2024 academic terms. Students who are pursuing year-long, semester, or short-term study abroad programs, including faculty led programs, are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students should indicate what they gained or hope to gain from their time abroad. The scholarship(s) will be awarded to those students who indicate a financial need along with a desire to further the AHS mission of promoting culturally relevant individual and community health and well-being across the lifespan, facilitate optimal living with disability, and foster the development of livable communities in a diverse society through learning, discovery, and engagement.

These scholarships are awarded to top incoming freshmen and transfer students to the College of Applied Health Sciences. The number of awards given each year varies and is dependent upon the applicant pool. All incoming freshmen and transfer students are considered for this award based on a number of factors including academic performance, entrance exam scores (for freshmen), leadership experience, volunteer experience and admissions essay.