James Fletcher always dreamed of giving back to children and working with the less fortunate of Chicago’s South Side.

Fletcher, a Chicago native who attended elementary school and high school in the inner city, graduated from NIU in 1958. He then became a prominent businessman, serving as chairman of Chicago’s South Shore Bank. Under Fletcher’s leadership, South Shore Bank was able to operate in low-income areas of Chicago and continue to profit.

After his death a few years ago, Fletcher’s dream came true when the James Fletcher Memorial Scholarship was created last year.

“The scholarship, with the help of NIU and the South Shore Bank, will help give money back to students of Chicago’s inner city as Mr. Fletcher would have wanted,” NIU scholarship coordinator Dana Gautcher said.

The endowed scholarship will be awarded annually by a committee of Fletcher’s family members, NIU personnel and South Shore Bank officials. The scholarship includes tuition, on-campus room and board and a stipend for books. If two students of superior qualities are selected, the award will be divided in half.

Anthony Currie, a freshman journalism major and last year’s scholarship recipient, said the award has been more than a financial help.

“The scholarship has motivated me to do well in school and participate in local community service activities,” Currie said.

Currie volunteers for the NIU Circle K community service program and helps out with the elderly in the DeKalb area.

Gautcher said recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and preference will be given to African-Americans or other minority students who plan to live in NIU residence halls.

“One important factor the scholarship review committee looks at is a student’s active involvement in community service,” Gautcher said.

Denita Nixon, a senior physical therapy major and another scholarship recipient, appreciates the way she’s been affected.

“Hard work has paid off for me, and I really appreciate what the Fletcher family has provided with this scholarship,” Nixon said. “It has given me opportunities I would have never normally been given.”

Nixon also volunteers by mentoring students at the Center for Black Studies, participating in community service activities and helping elderly people with basic tasks near her Chicago home.