Midland States Bank Announces Contributions to Eastern Illinois University

EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS– March 19, 2018– Midland States Bank announced today a contribution of $20,000 to Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in Charleston, Illinois to support the university’s Community Ambassador scholarship program. The Community Ambassador Scholarship program encourages local high school graduates to stay in the area by continuing their academic careers at EIU.

“Midland States Bank recognizes the importance of a strong regional workforce and a strong regional economy— not just for Effingham but for all of east central Illinois,”said Jeffrey Ludwig, Chief Executive Officer of Midland States Bank. “Eastern Illinois University graduates, like those who work at Midland often stay in the region, strengthening and supporting our communities with their intellects and their incomes. That’s why this partnership is so critical in incentivizing local and regional students to enroll, attend and graduate from EIU.”

A ceremonial $20,000 check presentation was held at Midland States Bank’s corporate office Tuesday morning with alumni representing Midland in attendance. Dr. David Glassman, president of eastern Illinois University, was unable to attend the check presentation, but celebrated Midland State Bank’s commitment to the university and for creating additional scholarship opportunities in the region.

“The Community Ambassador Scholarship demonstrates EIU’s commitment to keeping local high school students and EIU graduates in the region,” said Glassman. “We thank Midland States Bank for its generous gift, which will allow us to act even more assertively toward that commitment and to ensure EIU is doing all it can to continue to grow the region at both the educational and the economic level.”

In addition, due to the immense regional support of EIU’s Community Ambassador Scholarship program— including the recent $20,000 gift from Midland States Bank—university leaders have agreed to extend the original mid-March application deadline for that scholarship. The new deadline is April 1.

Qualifications for earning the $2,000 Community Ambassador Scholarships—as well as scholarship submission guidelines—are available on the EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship website at www.eiu.edu/ambassador-scholarship/.