Walsh, Ward Selected for Bone Scholarships

NORMAL, Ill. – A pair of Illinois State student-athletes have been selected as Robert G. Bone Scholars for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year.

Kiley Walsh, of the women's golf team, and Wes Ward, of the men's cross country and track and field teams, are the first Redbird student-athletes to be named Bone Scholars since the 2011-12 academic year. The Bone Scholarship is the top undergraduate honor bestowed at Illinois State, and is reserved for only the top 14 juniors.

Walsh, a native of Mount Prospect, Illinois, earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors for the second-consecutive season in 2016-17, after tying for fourth place at the MVC Championships this spring. A Spanish major, Walsh owns a 3.94 cumulative grade-point average (GPA), and has been a two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete First-Team selection.

"Winning the Bone Scholarship is truly an exceptional honor," Walsh said. "This award is a reflection of my teachers, coaches and other supportive roles that have encouraged me to find success in the many levels of being a student-athlete. Illinois State University has provided an incredible environment where my academic learning has grown strongly and my personal development has tremendously expanded." 

A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Ward has been a standout for Illinois State's cross country and track and field teams. He has consistently been recognized for his achievements in the classroom, being named to the MVC and AFNI academic honor rolls in every possible semester during his collegiate career. Ward owns a 3.96 cumulative GPA as a double major in finance and political science.  

"It is an honor to be selected as a Robert G. Bone Scholar. I am grateful to the Illinois State Athletics Department and the Bloomington-Normal community for the opportunities they provided," Ward said. "I share this accolade with my family, friends, coaches, teammates, brilliant professors, fellow students, and community members. They have supported and inspired me. This would not have been possible without them."

Walsh and Ward are the 23rd and 24th Illinois State student-athletes to earn the scholarship named in honor of the late Illinois State University President Robert G. Bone. The Karin L. Bone Athletics Study Center, which supports the academic endeavors of all Illinois State student-athletes, is named in honor of the late Illinois State University First Lady.

Bone Scholars are students who combine broad and excellent academic achievement with campus and community engagement, while displaying outstanding qualities of character and leadership.

Walsh is the first Illinois State women's golfer to receive the Bone Scholarship. Ward is the first member of Illinois State's men's cross country team and the second member of the men's track and field team to earn the scholarship.

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