Celebrate the memory of Danny Mathews with a gift to his memorial scholarship!
***Thank you for helping us to meet the initial goal of $5,000 already! We've added a stretch goal of $7,500 to make an even bigger impact and award more scholarship assistance.***
The Danny Mathews Memorial
Scholarship is being established to honor the memory and legacy of Danny
Mathews. Consider a gift to help us launch the student scholarship and reach
our goal of $5,000 to support Redbirds. Four alumni are coming together to establish the memorial scholarship of $25,000 and commemorate Danny's legacy at ISU. Join them in honoring Danny and his impact in students' lives.
The goal of the Danny Mathews Memorial scholarship is to recognize members of the Illinois State Community who seek to make transformative change on-campus or in the community for LGBTQIA+/Queer people through civic engagement and social justice work.
The Legacy of Danny Mathews
Danny Mathews, former Specialist for Advising and Leadership Development in the Dean of Students Office at Illinois State University, passed away in March of 2024. Danny was a graduate assistant at Illinois State University from 2011 to 2013 and filled his role as Specialist, Dean of Students from 2014 to 2016. He studied English and Women’s & Gender Studies and completed his Master’s degree at ISU in 2013 in the College Student Personnel Administration.
Danny Mathews' legacy is defined by his profound impact on those he worked with, both personally and professionally. Brittney Vietti, who was a Graduate Assistant in the CSPA program from 2013 to 2015, worked closely with Danny. Reflecting on her time with him, she noted, "When he talked to you, he truly embodied you, making eye contact and engaging with non-verbal behavior. He was someone you could talk to about anything—stress, deep conversations, any topic under the sun."
Her fondest memories include late-night conversations, his comforting hugs, and his famous cookies.
In the Dean of Students Office, Danny advised student organizations including the Black Student Union, Pride, Asian Pacific American Coalition, Tribe and Association of Latin American Students to continue to influence and support countless students.
He had a passion for serving students and helping them succeed through their higher education journey.
Thank you for your gift!
Thank you for supporting Redbirds in honor of the legacy of Danny Mathews. We appreciate your help towards our goal of $5,000.
Your charitable gift is credited
to the Multicultural Center Enhancement Fund, but will be used to establish the
new Danny Mathews Memorial Scholarship Fund regardless of whether our goal of
$5,000 is unmet or exceeded. The new Scholarship Fund will be used to recognize members of the
Illinois State Community who seek to make transformative change on-campus or in
the community for LGBTQIA+/Queer people through civic engagement and social
justice work. Thank you for giving!