First recipient of Blue Iris Scholarship is Larkin graduate

The Theta Xi Foundation recently announced the recipient of a scholarship created for newly initiated members of Alpha Sigma Chapter, Bradley University.

The foundation's grants and scholarships committee unanimously selected Maxwell Rydell, Alpha Sigma 952, as the first recipient of the Blue Iris Scholarship. Max was initiated into Theta Xi Fraternity on Nov. 9.

Michael Anderson, executive director of Theta Xi Foundation, as well as Ian Pellerin, associate director of chapter services of Theta Xi Fraternity, were on hand to present Max's scholarship in partnership with Craig Janus, Alpha Sigma 803, and son of the scholarship's benefactor, Wayne Janus.

Anderson, upon presentation of the scholarship, offered these thoughts, "It is a special honor for me to be in Peoria this evening to present the first of what will certainly be many Blue Iris Scholarship award presentations. We're grateful to the Janus family, particularly Wayne Janus, for supporting this scholarship that will help to ensure the brothers of our Alpha Sigma Chapter have the financial resources to complete their college education."

Andrew "Drew" Potter, Alpha Sigma 926, and Alpha Sigma Chapter president-elect said, "The first purpose of Theta Xi is 'Intellectual curiosity that assures the highest scholarship rating consistent with his ability'." Drew continued by saying that Max exemplifies this purpose "not only by his grade-point average, but by the leadership traits he has already shown during his associate period with Alpha Sigma Chapter."

The Blue Iris Scholarship is $2,500 per semester and is renewable based on maintenance of a 3.25 GPA and other factors. The benefactor of this scholarship is Wayne Janus, a veteran of more than 35 years in the financial services industry. A servant leader for many years, Janus currently sits on the board of Make A Wish Foundation-Illinois and as a member of the Make A Wish-America Planned Giving Council.