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Mary F. English Technology Award

The Mary F. English Technology Award Program (MFETAP) was established at Illinois State University in Fall 2001 to assist and support selected students in pursuing the teaching professions and to encourage the use of technology in the classroom once they enter the field.  This award program is made possible with an endowment from benefactors, Dr. Robert and Mary English, to assist in the recruitment and retention of disadvantaged students in teacher education. The MFETAP is administered by the Minority Student Academic Center, a component of University College.

Benefits

Recipients of the Mary F. English Technology Award, referred to as English Scholars, receive for their personal and professional use a new Dell lap top computer with a 3-year service warranty and a color printer.  Additionally, selected computer software, computer accessories and technical support are provided to each English Scholar in conjunction with the Education Technology Support Project funded with a grant sponsored by the Higher Education Cooperative Act (HECA) in partnership with Northern Illinois University.  Each English Scholar will retain ownership of the computer and printer after participating in the program for two consecutive academic years.

Selection

There is no application for the Mary F. English Technology Award.  Approximately 20 award recipients will be selected annually from the pool of entering freshmen and transfer students as well as continuing Illinois State students who meet the following criteria:

  • Declared major in a teacher education program
  • U. S. citizen
  • Illinois resident
  • Enrolled as a full-time student
  • Maximum of  60 earned credit hours
  • Member of an underrepresented group and/or demonstrated financial need

All new freshmen must also meet the following criteria:

  • ACT of 21 or higher
  • Class rank in 1st or 2nd quartile
  • High school cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale

New transfer students and continuing Illinois State University students must also meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, or
  • Minimum Illinois State University cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale

Program Requirements

Each MFETA recipient must:

  • Maintain full time enrollment at Illinois State University in a teacher education program for a minimum of two consecutive academic years.
  • Meet periodically with MFETA program staff during the academic year to discuss academic progress and concerns.
  • Participate as needed in technology training workshops offered by the University.
  • Complete an assigned technology project during the first academic year of program participation.
  • Utilize appropriate academic support services provided by the University to enhance academic success.
  • Promptly return the lap top computer and printer to the MFETAP staff if the recipient withdraws or is dismissed from Illinois State University for any reason or changes his/her major to a non-teacher education program within a two-year period following receipt of the award.