This endowment was established in 1993 through an estate gift of Anna Keaton. Keaton had a 30-year career at Illinois State Normal University (1937-1968). She was a professor of English and also served as dean of students.
Through a bequest, she directed that a scholarship fund be created to support upper class or graduate students majoring in English. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool.