Giving
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Gifts in Action: Meredith Mallory, AB '40 Sciences and Letters
Multiplying the Impact
Kellogg Scholarship honors math and science undergrads.
Melissa and Melanie Roon, identical twins from Oak Lawn, Ill., had identical grades in high school—although an extra Advanced Placement class nudged Melanie into the number two spot in their graduating class, with Melissa right behind as number three.
Melissa says she and her sister are very close, with many of the same interests, including volleyball, softball, and basketball. They like similar music and movies, room together at the University of Illinois, both major in math in LAS, and are active in the same clubs.
But despite the similarities between these math-scholar twins, the equation does not read: Melissa = Melanie. They remain individuals. Melanie is on track to teach high school math, while Melissa is switching from math to actuarial science with an eye on business. Melissa also has been singled out as the recipient of the Kellogg Scholarship, awarded to students majoring in math or one of the sciences.
"I was thrilled and really thankful to be awarded this scholarship," says Roon, a junior at U of I. Her parents, with the heavy load of supporting twin daughters in college at the same time, were equally pleased by the assistance.
The scholarship is made possible by Gail Kellogg, a U of I alumnus in math, whose degree from U of I launched her into a high school teaching job, and then into a position with IBM as an assistant engineer. In the late 1960s, this field was just emerging and computer science degrees were not yet being offered.
Thankful for the impact that her U of I math degree had on her professional career, Kellogg wanted to nurture other math and science majors. That's why she started a scholarship fund to help undergraduate students who have graduated in the top 15 percent of their high school class.
"I benefited from having a degree from a recognized university in a subject that is highly regarded," says Kellogg. "The reception to having a math degree is very positive. Employers realize that you haven't shied away from the difficult studies."
Roon hasn't shied away from difficult studies, especially since her middle school years, when she and her sister both began to see their talent in math. In high school, the sisters competed on the math team; and at U of I, they are active in the MATRIX math club, which brings in speakers, provides networking opportunities, and offers social events.
Melissa and Melanie also give back to the community through Rotaract, a local service organization that offers opportunities to volunteer at the Food Bank, prepare care packages, raise money for water purification projects, and write letters to soldiers. In fact, Melanie is president of the U of I Rotaract Club, while Melissa serves as the secretary treasurer.
Kellogg certainly recognizes the importance of this kind of giving. After all, that was the motivation behind her scholarship.
"We spend our lives working and accomplishing things through our work," she says. "Giving is an opportunity to get something done without doing all the work yourself."
In other words, it multiples the impact, and multiplication comes naturally to a math major.