The Martin F. Duffy Scholarship was established by the USG Corporation and the Duffy family after his death. Duffy, a ’79 bachelor’s degree recipient in English/Communication, was the owner of I/D Communications and a key member of the USG communications team. The USG Corporation employees who initially funded the scholarship wanted to recognize Duffy’s legacy of integrity, impeccable professional standards and enthusiasm for life, with the hope that the scholarship recipients in the Communication department would perpetuate that legacy. 

The first Martin F. Duffy Scholarship recipient, Amanda Hanson, certainly exemplifies that legacy. A double major in communication and elementary education, Hanson is a Presidential Scholar who worked at the Vidette as a copy editor and features reporter and volunteered in the community, all while maintaining a perfect grade point average. “I feel very lucky to be the first Martin Duffy Scholarship recipient,” Hanson said.  “It was great to meet the Duffy family and hear about his life and success in the communication field.”

The Dr. Fred Gletten Memorial Scholarship will benefit students in the Biological Sciences department.  Gletten, a ’71 bachelor’s degree recipient in biological sciences, credits much of his success to his Illinois State education and specifically remembers being influenced by two of his professors. He is a gastroenterologist in California and has taught at UCLA. “Illinois State was important to me because there were many teachers who acted as role models for my teaching style,” Gletten said.  “Even though I am in the medical profession, a large part of my job is teaching, teaching patients, gastroenterologist fellows and students.”

Gletten said he feels staying involved with the University after graduation has been important. He decided to establish the Dr. Fred Gletten Memorial Scholarship in order to say thank you to Illinois State University for starting him on his career path. 

Gerald Giordano, ’81 politics and government graduate, established the Frank M. and Hermina R. Giordano Scholarship for students in the Politics and Government department to honor his late father and mother. Father Frank worked in construction for 50 years, and Hermina was a homemaker and worked in a factory. Both encouraged their three sons to receive a university education, and all three attended Illinois State. Gerald said the scholarship will hopefully benefit students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend Illinois State.

The three memorial scholarships carry the names of four individuals who will be remembered through the student recipients, departments, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Illinois State University. 

By: Kathy Beal