2026 Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship awarded to Berit Haldorsen a 2023 graduate of Mattoon High School

Pictured L-R: Jason Hortenstine, Paul Saegesser, Berit Haldorsen, Peggy Fuesting, Gayla McDaniel, Barb Love. Photo submitted by Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation

MATTOON, Illinois – August 24, 2026) Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation and members of the Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship committee are pleased to announce Berit Haldorsen was awarded the $4,000 Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship at the 41st annual scholarship presentation luncheon on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Berit Haldorsen is a 2023 graduate of Mattoon High School and will be completing her Master of Business Administration at Eastern Illinois University this fall. Berit hopes to use her degree to help a a business in Coles County in the future.

The luncheon included special guest Peggy Fuesting, a Mattoon High School classmate of A4rland D. Williams, Jr. Fuesting attended the presentation and shared personal memories of Arland, offering attendees a meaningful perspective on his character, kindness and the legacy of service and sacrifice that continues to inspire others.

The Arland D. Williams, Jr. Scholarship honors the memory of the late Arland D. Williams, Jr. who graduated from Mattoon High School. Mr. airplane crash in Washington D.C. His selfless actions cost him his life, but his heroism lives on.

The scholarship fund was established in May 1983 by Mrs. Virginia Williams, mother of Arland D. Williams, Jr. Since 1985, 41 scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $97,000. Friends and classmates of Arland D. Williams, Jr. serve on the scholarship committee and present the award each year. Gayla McDaniel, Paul Saegesser, Jason Hortenstine, and Barb Love served on the 2026 scholarship review committee.
The Arland D. Williams Jr. Scholarship is one of several scholarship funds managed by Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation which also manages more than 200 funds for the immediate and long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois. For more information, contact Alex Pleasant, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, at 217.342.4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.