By Karlie Baker
IV Leader Editor, Oct. 4, 2007
Illinois Valley Community College recently named Wanda Kember its first Illinois Valley Community College Foundation 21st Century Scholar.
Kember was one of four candidates for the award; each was nominated by one of the college’s academic divisions. She will receive full-tuition for the 2007-08 school year.
Kember came to IVCC in the fall of 2003 after an ATV accident near Marseilles in March of that year left her paralyzed from the waist down.
“Coming to IVCC broadened my horizons,” she said. “It was my body that was broken, not my spirit. What makes me me is still intact.”
She plans to one day work in a hospital or rehabilitation center as a clinical social worker offering support and guidance to patients and family members facing devastating injuries or illnesses.
“Essentially doing for others what was so successfully and passionately done for me.”
Each of the 21st Century nominees had a minimum 3.5 GPA in at least 30 hours, volunteer involvement on campus and in the community, personal obstacles overcome and financial need. The 21st Century Scholars Society was supported by 25 charter members, each contributing $500 to create an endowment to reward students.