Centennial Honors College

Donor Spotlight

Paul and Sheila Nollen

Upon retirement after a distinguished 32-year teaching career, former Western Illinois University Biology professor Paul Nollen established an endowment to offer biology honors scholarships through the WIU Foundation. He and his wife Sheila, a retired WIU Libraries professor, are also annual supporters of research grants and writing prize awards provided by the Centennial Honors College.

Paul, a parasitologist who has published more than 75 papers in international and national journals, taught in WIU’s Department of Biological Sciences from 1967 to 1999. He served as director of the Biological Sciences honors program from 1978 until his retirement. He received his bachelor's degree from Carroll College in Wisconsin, his master's from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his doctorate degree from Purdue University. He served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army, researching human parasites. Nollen received several honors at WIU, including being named the WIU Distinguished Professor twice; the BGU Distinguished Professor; and WIU Faculty Lecturer.

Sheila earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and master's degrees in history and library science from WIU and the University of Iowa respectively. She retired in 2002 as a professor of libraries, and is also a generous supporter of WIU’s Library Atrium Society.

To qualify for the Paul Nollen Biology Honors Scholarship, students must be enrolled in the WIU Honors Program and the Department of Biological Sciences honors program, and must have a grade point average of 3.5. In addition, juniors must have completed 60 hours of study, and senior students must have completed 90 hours of coursework.

Scholarship awards will be in the amount $1,000 to each recipient. Applications are accepted until April 1 for the following school year. Application forms are available in the University Scholarship Office in Sherman Hall, and the Department of Biological Sciences office in Waggoner Hall. For more information, contact the WIU Scholarship Office at (309)298-2001.