Erin Stuedemann, front left, with sons Forest and Drake, mother Norma Cotner and scholarship recipient Ella Kamke. Kamke of Utica won the first Robert Cotner Memorial Scholarship at the June 23 Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Scholarship Reception in Ottawa. (Photo provided by Sally Van Cura)
The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation recently awarded more than $43,000 in scholarships and a new memorial award, according to a news release.
Norma Cotner and her daughter, Erin Stuedemann, presented the inaugural Robert Cotner Memorial Scholarship to Elisabeth “Ella” Kamke of Utica, a music major. Robert Cotner, of Seneca, was a retired English professor and nonprofit executive who died in November.
After introducing the scholarship in her late husband’s name, Cotner’s daughter spoke about the family’s connection to Kamke’s application.
“Her words reminded us so much of my dad’s generous spirit and warm heart for others – exactly the kind of legacy we hope to keep alive through this scholarship,” Stuedemann said in a news release.
Kamke also received the $5,000 Rising Star Scholarship, sponsored by Ethel McConnell, a longtime elementary school teacher from Ottawa and formerly of Seneca, the news release said.
In total, the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awarded more than $43,000 in scholarships to 15 students.
Rachel Pinter of LaSalle and IVCC won the $500 Streator Leading Ladies Maxine Wargo Working Women’s Scholarship. She plans to transfer to Aurora University for online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. (Photo provided by Sally Van Cura)
Other recipients included:
“We had a record 84 students apply for scholarships,” Fran Brolley, SRCCF president and CEO said in a news release. “This is a highly selective field of winners.”
To create a scholarship through the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, visit srccf.org, call Brolley at 815- 326-1945 or visit the office at 116 W. Lafayette St., Suite 2, in Ottawa.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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