Guardian Titans Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The progress thermometer represents totals as of April 10, 2025.
Goal: $30000
Goal: Fund $30,000 by 5/31/2025
The Guardian Titans Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund (hereinafter “the Fund”) will be established in memory of two beloved teammates and friends, Megan Geraghty Kontos ’13 (October 29, 1990 – January 11, 2025) and Alexandria (Ali) Stevenson ’15 (November 27, 1992 – August 15, 2016). Upon contribution of $30,000, a $30,000 matching contribution will be received, to bring the total to $60,000. A corpus of $50,000 will be established, allowing for the awarding of an initial $10,000 scholarship in Fall 2025.
Scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded annually from the earnings on the corpus in perpetuity of the Fund. If the principal amount increases, the approximate annual award will increase. The purpose of this Fund will be to award annual scholarships to students that best exhibit and align with the values and interests of both Megan and Ali, unless otherwise specified for specific anniversary years.
The Fund will award the initial $10,000 scholarship in Year 1 (Fall 2025) in memory of Megan Geraghty Kontos to a female candidate who best aligns with Megan’s interests. The Fund will award the 2026 scholarship in memory of Ali Stevenson for the 10-year anniversary of her passing and will be awarded to a female that best aligns with Ali’s interests. The amount of this scholarship will be approximately $2,500 plus any contributions received during the 2026 funding period.
Teammates and friends, Megan and Ali were bonded by a passion for Golf, their unconditional love, and their motivational abilities. It was no coincidence that the lives of these two women crossed paths. At Illinois Wesleyan they were not only able to pursue their educational goals, but they were able to display their gifts and competitive abilities as members of The Illinois Wesleyan Women’s Golf Team. Megan and Ali were the link to many friendships and bonds that may not have otherwise been created and developed what we know today as our “Titan Family”. These two women were pure of heart, fiercely passionate about their interests and never wavered in the face of tough competition, both on and off the course. This Fund will be established with the hope of continuing their passions by empowering other women’s successes and endeavors as they experience their own journey through Illinois Wesleyan. As always infamously stated by our Coach, Kathy Niepagen, “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way”. Though we mourn Ali and Megan, we will channel our energy into supporting as many women as possible in their honor.
Megan graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business
Administration. While attending Illinois Wesleyan, Megan was an active and influential
member in several organizations. She held positions as Activities Chair and Judicial
Board Representative at her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. She actively pursued her
passion for competitive golf as a vital team member of the IWU Women’s Golf team,
which secured the CCIW conference championships from 2009 to 2013 and achieved a third-place
finish at the national level in 2011. She made All-Conference and letter winner in
2010 and 2011. She was also the VP of External Operations for Student Athletic Advisory
Council where she helped coordinate several volunteer events. After Illinois Wesleyan,
Megan went on to develop a career in HR and served as Human Resources Business Partner
for both Allstate and Abbvie. Further pursuing her enjoyment for volunteer work, she
became President of the Associate Board for Shelter Inc. Most importantly she married
the love of her life, George and became a mother to John. Megan took great pride in
everything she pursued and embodied the heart and soul of her family. Megan will be
remembered for her friendship, humor, leadership, determination, strength, and grace.
Megan was also a cherished daughter of Dan and Diane nee Conoboy; dear sister of Catherine
(Alex) Weiss, Terese (Sam) Jensen and Jennifer (Walker) Rialla; loving daughter-in-law
of Sandra and the late Don Kontos.
Ali graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Nursing. While attending
Illinois Wesleyan, Ali was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega from 2013 – 2016 and
the Student Nurse’s Association from 2011 – 2015. She was a strong leader and contributing
team member for the IWU Women’s Golf team from 2011 – 2015. After Illinois Wesleyan,
Ali worked diligently to obtain a position as a registered nurse at OSF St. Joseph
Medical Center in Bloomington. Ali was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of
Ottawa and completed volunteer work for Eastview Christian Church in Normal, Illinois.
She also volunteered with the Junior Golf Program in Bloomington. Ali passed away
just over a year after she graduated. With more time, she undoubtedly would’ve continued
to make profound impacts on her loved ones and patients. Ali always strived to do
and be more and encouraged others around her to do the same. Ali’s radiant personality
and contagious smile and laugh will forever be cherished in her loved ones’ hearts.
Ali was the beloved daughter of Keith and Jackie Stevenson and a supportive sister
to Nicole Stevenson (now married to Kevin Bergeson).
Final Deadline to Contribute: July 31, 2025