On-Campus Competition
Fall 2025 Competition Information
We will hold two scholarship competitions this fall: an on-campus competition and a virtual competition. Students should RSVP for one of these competitions, based on their geographic location and other considerations (willingness and ability to travel, approved conflicts, etc.). Both competitions include the same components and both equally qualify students to be considered for the Reagan Fellowship. Information on the on-campus competition is available below. For more information on the virtual competition, please click here. If you are not sure which competition to RSVP for and/or if you would like more information, please reach out to the Director of the Reagan Leadership Program, Dr. Cory Geraths. You may do so via email at rlp@eureka.edu or by phone at (309) 467-6879.
On-Campus Competition
When is the on-campus competition?
Our on-campus scholarship competition will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Competition events begin at 8:00 am CST and conclude at 3:00 pm CST.
Where will the on-campus competition be held?
Our on-campus scholarship competition will be held at Eureka College’s historic campus in Eureka, IL.
Who is eligible to participate in the on-campus competition?
All qualified applicants from the state of Illinois and Indiana are invited to compete in the on-campus competition. Likewise, qualified applicants from counties in eastern Iowa, eastern Missouri, and southern Wisconsin are invited to compete in the on-campus competition. Students from elsewhere in Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin are eligible to compete in the virtual competition.
What does the competition include?
Students who attend our on-campus scholarship competition will participate in three primary activities that will be used, in conjunction with other aspects of their application, as part of the selection process for the next cohort of Reagan Fellows. Students will complete a panel interview, which will consist of 15 minutes of questions from two Eureka College faculty and a current Reagan Fellow. Students will also complete a group exercise, which will involve a group of applicants responding to a simulated leadership problem in need of resolution. This exercise will be evaluated by two additional Eureka College faculty and a current Reagan Fellow. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to build community by touring campus, talking with program and college faculty, and getting to know our current group of Reagan Fellows. More information on each of these competition components is available here.
Which Illinois residents are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition?
All qualified applicants from each of Illinois’ 102 counties are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition.
Which Indiana residents are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition?
All qualified applicants from each of Indiana’s 92 counties are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition.
Which Iowa residents are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition?
Due to their proximity to Illinois, qualified applicants from the following counties in central and eastern Iowa are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition. Iowa students who live in counties not listed below are eligible to compete virtually.
Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Aubudon, Black Hawk, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Calhoun, Carroll, Clinton, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hardin, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster
Which Missouri residents are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition?
Due to their proximity to Illinois, qualified applicants from the following counties in central and eastern Missouri are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition. Missouri students who live in counties not listed below are eligible to compete virtually.
Adair, Audrain, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Clark, Cole, Crawford, Dent, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Howard, Iron, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Maries, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Oregon, Osage, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Reynolds, Ripley, Saint Charles, Saint Francois, Saint Genevieve, Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Warren, Washington
Which Wisconsin residents are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition?
Due to their proximity to Illinois, qualified applicants from the following counties in central and southern Wisconsin are eligible to compete in the on-campus competition. Wisconsin students who live in counties not listed below are eligible to compete virtually.
Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood
May students who are outside of the states and counties listed above compete as part of the on-campus competition?
Yes! If you are able and willing to drive or fly to campus we are excited to welcome you.
May students who live in Illinois, Indiana, or the listed counties in Iowa, Missouri, or Wisconsin compete virtually?
Qualified applicants from Illinois, Indiana, or the counties from Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin listed above may request a waiver to compete virtually. Waivers can be completed and submitted here. Waivers will be granted only in cases of family emergency, financial hardship, and extracurricular conflict. Waivers must be received and approved by no later than October 31, 2025.
How will I declare my competition selection?
Students will select their competition as part of their RSVP submission form. For more information, please refer to the review of the application process outlined here.
Will there be programming for parents and families?
Yes! We will have programming available for parents and other family members, including a parent information panel with members of the college administration, tours of campus, and opportunities to meet with faculty and students.