After receiving a scholarship while studying art at Illinois State University, Wonsook Kim ’75, M.A. ’76, M.F.A. ’78, found comfort in knowing that her university valued and supported her creativity. Following her global success as an artist, she created the Wonsook Kim Art Scholarship to give back to Illinois State art majors to help them grow as artists. Jenna Germano received the award in fall 2021.
An art education major, Germano said receiving the scholarship was both exciting and reassuring because it validated her efforts. Germano is looking forward to eventually having passionate art students of her own after completing her education at Illinois State. She loves her major because “it combines two things I am very passionate about: art and teaching.”
Addressing Illinois State faculty and donors, Germano said: “It is thanks to people like you that students are able to attend college and achieve their dreams with less of a financial burden on their shoulders. Personally, it has helped me get closer to my goal of becoming an art teacher who will hopefully be able to inspire students just like my teachers have done for me.”
In order to qualify for the Wonsook Kim Arts Scholarship, students must be majoring in an art-related field and demonstrate a passion for art and its influence at Illinois State.
