Wilbur and William Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Purpose: To provide educational resources for graduates of high schools within the city of Belvidere, Illinois.
Criteria:
To be eligible for funding, an applicant must be a graduating senior or a graduate of a public or private high school located within the city of Belvidere, Illinois. Applicant must plan to pursue studies in the medical sciences including medical school, dental school, dental hygienist school, nursing school, or other health care related programs. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, and illustrate community and civic service to Boone County, academic achievement, and self-motivation.
Wilbur R. Cummings’ Bio:
September 29, 1922 – July 8, 2005
Wilbur Cummings was born in Rockford, Illinois and was a lifelong resident of Caledonia, Illinois. He was a member of the Caledonia Congregational Church, a trustee for Caledonia Township for 36 years, former Malta Township Treasurer. He served the North Boone Fire Department, Belvidere Police and Fire Commission, and the Belvidere Moose Lodge. Wilbur worked with his brother for 27 years at the Belford Theater.
In 1953, Wilbur lost his arm in a farming accident. He was treated by a doctor in nearby Caledonia. His brother, William fervently believed having a doctor close by saved Wilbur’s life. Together, the two brothers made it their mission to, upon their deaths, provide scholarship opportunties for young men and women interested in pursing the medical field.
William D. Cummings’ Bio:
September 29, 1922 – September 19, 2010
William Cummings was born on September 29, 1922 in Rockford, Illinois, and was a lifelong resident of Caledonia, Illinois. He was a member of the Caledonia Congregational Church, former assistant chief of the North Boone District 3 Fire Department, a Republican precinct committeeman, and a member of the Belvidere Moose Lodge. William and his brother, Wilbur, worked for 27 years at the Belford Theater.
When Wilbur lost his arm in 1953 and was treated by a doctor in Caledonia, William was convinced that the locality of the doctor saved his brother’s life. The generosity of William and Wilbur will live on together as this scholarship, in their memory, provides financial resources for those eager to serve in the medical field.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this scholarship, you must complete an online application and submit a packet of additional materials in hard copy. Both of these components MUST be RECEIVED by the March 1st deadline.
The scholarship packet requires your school counselor, registrar or principal to verify your academic information so be sure to allow sufficient time to submit the application. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.
Links to Online Applications:
To begin a new online application, click on the link below and follow the instructions listed on the form.
To finish a saved application, click the link below.
Application Downloads for Hard Copy Packet:
The hard copy packet consists of an Application Checklist, Academic Verification Form and Recommendation Form. To download these documents, click on the link below.
If you have any questions, contact James Patterson at 962-2110 ext. 11 or e-mail.