Galesburg Students Inducted into Gale Scholars Program

Eleven Galesburg eighth-grade students were inducted as George Washington Gale Scholars on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Galesburg High School. 

Named for the founder of Knox College and Galesburg, the Gale Scholars program provides local students with educational support and resources throughout their high school and college degrees.

The Gale Scholars program started in 1996 as a collaborative effort between Knox College, Carl Sandburg College, and Galesburg Community School District #205. It was established to support first-generation and income-eligible students pursuing higher education. Scholars receive tuition-waiver scholarships toward their associate’s degree at Carl Sandburg College and bachelor's degree at Knox.

This year's group of 11 students boasted a cumulative GPA of 3.30 and were selected after a rigorous selection process. 

“This is an impressive group of students. They have all the qualities to succeed in this program and in life,” Steve Cheeseman, director of the Gale Scholars Program, said. “It will be an honor and privilege to work with them. I am proud of how much they care about this opportunity and how hard they continue to work!”

This year’s ceremony opened with an introduction by Cheeseman, followed by heartfelt speeches from Knox Vice President for Student Development Dr. MarQuita Barker and current Gale Scholar and Knox College student Garrett Sprinkle '23. 

Speakers candidly addressed the privilege the Gale Scholars program affords to students who utilize it. Sprinkle described the benefits the program has given to him over the course of his college career, easing the financial burden of college education and allowing him the freedom to pursue his desired musical career. 

Cheeseman presented each student with a certificate following handshakes with District 205 Superintendent John Asplund, Carl Sandburg College President Seamus Reilly, and Barker. 

Gale Scholars Class of 2027

• Bowling, Jordan
• Coe, Maddie
• Davidson, Jocilyn
• George, Ava
• Guel, Evelin
• Jordan, Macie
• Pacheo, Anayely
• Rice, Alliyah
• Sanchez, Cordae
• Sanchez, Devaughn
• Sanchez, Laniyah