EGS Announces 2012 Scholarship Recipients

For Immediate Release – August 15, 2012

                                         

Elgin (IL) Genealogical Society

P.0. Box 1418, Elgin, Illinois 60121-1418

Elgin Genealogical Society (EGS) announces the 2012 Chester A. Bowser scholarship recipients

Two $1000 scholarships provided this year

August 15, 2012 – Elgin, IL.  From the many excellent scholarship applications received this year, EGS proudly awards 2012 Chester A. Bower scholarships to Madonna Davis Marks and Jesse Nasta.

Madonna is currently seeking a Master’s Degree in Library Science with an emphasis on Special and Historical Collections at the University of Illinois. She believes “this career demands someone with not just desire but a passion for saving and preserving the pieces that make up a life.”

Jesse is a PhD candidate at Northtwestern University in the Department of History. His fields of specialization are United States, Early Republic to Reconstruction; African American and legal history; comparative slavery and emancipation. This scholarship will assist in the completion of his dissertation research in which he “analyzes hundreds of previously unexamined court cases, initiated by African Americans in local courts in St. Louis and throughout Illinois”. EGS believes his dissertation will be extremely valuable to many Illinois genealogist.

In honor of late member and benefactor, Chester A. Bowser,  Elgin Genealogical Society (EGS) provides scholarship funds to deserving graduate students in studies related to genealogy and grants to local organizations for projects to benefit the genealogical community.

 “The EGS is pleased to have been able to award over 25 grants and scholarships since the program’s inception in 1991,” declares Judy VanDusen, EGS president.

 About EGS- 

Since it began in 1972, the Elgin Genealogical Society, a not-for- profit education organization has worked towards

·         bringing together persons who are researching family history,

·         informing people of the value of and need for preserving family and local history,

·         providing information, methods, and practice of family research,

·         fostering idea sharing

·         seeking, preserving and making available materials concerning past and present families,

·         encouraging officials to preserve public records and genealogical collections and make them accessible to interested persons.

Follow EGS on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elgin-IL-Genealogical-Society/), on our blog (http://www.elgings.blogspot.com/) and at our website (http://www.elginroots.com).

Contact: Becky Higgins

Phone: 630 373-4824

Email: bhiggins9@gmail.com

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