McKendree University Honors Outstanding Students, Faculty for 2012

Lebanon, Ill. — McKendree University recognized outstanding students from all divisions and announced three faculty awards at an Honors Convocation held Apr. 20 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus.

Dr. Christine Bahr, provost and dean, noted that honorees are selected by full-time faculty members based on four major components of the university’s mission: responsible citizenship, engagement, academic excellence and lifelong learning.

“These students are our best and brightest,” noted Dr. James Dennis, university president.

Dr. Brian Frederking, professor of political science and chair of the Division of Social Sciences, delivered the keynote address, “Games, Conversations and Metaphors,” as the previous year’s recipient of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Board of Higher Education Exemplary Teacher Award.

Dr. Martha McDonald, associate professor in the nursing division, received the Exemplary Teacher Award for 2012. It is given by the UMC Board of Higher Education for excellence in teaching, concern for students and colleagues, a commitment to values-centered education, service to students beyond the classroom, and service to one’s students, institution, community or local church.

McDonald, a Marion resident, is the coordinator of McKendree’s nursing programs in Southern Illinois. “She rarely seeks the spotlight but she is revered as an expert among her colleagues,” Bahr said. She added that McDonald’s students appreciate her dedication, concern, sense of humor in the classroom, and ability to make complex information more easily understood.

Two Associate Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching were given this year. Nigel Darvell, of St. Louis, teaches stress management and substance abuse counseling to undergraduates. Dr. Hazel Loucks, of Edwardsville, is a former Illinois Deputy Governor of Education and Workforce who has taught many courses in the graduate education program.

Three McKendree seniors were recognized as Active Collegians Engaged in Service (ACES), awarded by the university’s Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service. Emily Cimarolli of Belleville, Kelsey Rittenhouse of O’Fallon, and Ryan Vincent of New Baden have each volunteered more than 400 hours of service to communities, churches, schools and organizations.

School and division chairs honored exceptional students for achievement within their respective areas as follows:

College of Arts & Sciences

Division of Computing, Dr. Kian Pokorny, chairperson

Ryan E. Vincent, New Baden, computer science

Scott M. Welzbacher, O’Fallon, computer information systems

Kenneth A. Rowe, Belleville, computer information systems, Center at Scott Air Force Base

Division of Humanities, Dr. Brenda Boudreau, chairperson

Lauren M. Richter, Mascoutah, organizational communication

Elizabeth A. Gershon, Scott Air Force Base, English

Michael J. Anderson, Belleville, religion

Division of Science and Mathematics, Dr. J. Alan Alewine, chairperson

Melinda S. Bayer, Collinsville, mathematics

Kaitlyn M. Kollmann, Collinsville, biology

Kathleen A. Sellens, Belleville, chemistry

Douglas R. Mennerick, O’Fallon, science education

Division of Social Sciences, Dr. Brian Frederking, chairperson

Michael J. Anderson, Belleville, international relations

Cassie L. Jouet, Fairview Heights, sociology-social work

Shannon Beckmeyer-Vance, Carlyle, psychology

Nicholas W. Trotter, Mascoutah, history

Jamie L. Corbier, O’Fallon, history education

Division of Visual and Performing Arts, Dr. Nancy Ypma, chairperson

David J. Anderson, Marine, music

Tia A. Turnipseed, Granite City, theater

School of Business, Dr. Frank J. Spreng, director, MBA program

Darren S. Hooks, Alhambra, The School of Business Outstanding Student of the Year, Sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

Donna M. Matanane, Keyesport, accounting

Lucas D. Blumhorst, Venedy, business

Erin E. Bault, DeKalb, economics and finance

Jordan A. Luttrell, Xenia, management

Katelynn A. Raymond, Alhambra, marketing

Center at Scott Air Force Base, School of Business

Lisa L. Pate, O’Fallon, accounting

Nicholas R. James, Belleville, business

Douglas D. Magneson, Belleville, management

Zachary K. Esplund, Albers, marketing

Accelerated Instruction at McKendree Program

Ryan M. Palazzolo, Centralia, business

Brian S. Friederich, Eddyville, Ky., business

Emily K. Niederbrach, Red Bud, marketing

Michael S. Honerkamp, Centralia, human resource management

Master of Business Administration

Jennifer M. Jones, Granite City

Larry D. Burns, West Frankfort

School of Education, Dr. Janet Wicker, chairperson

Amanda E. Downard, Belleville, elementary education

Erin E. Connolly, Belleville, elementary education

Master of Arts in Education

Crosby Grimmer, O’Fallon, educational administration and leadership

Jaime N. Pamatot, Granite City, educational administration and leadership

Cynthia G. Rutkowski, O’Fallon, teaching certification

Yvonne M. Martinich, Swansea, educational studies, reading emphasis

Laura L. Swift, Granite City, special education

Cynthia A. Melton, Granite City, teacher leadership

School of Nursing & Health Professions

Division of Health Professions, Dr. Dawn Hankins, chairperson

Kelsie S. Perkins, Jacksonville, health and wellness

Joshua M. Rathmann, Germantown, non-teaching physical education

Brooke R. Toenjes, O’Fallon, health education

Craig A. Zurliene, Fairfield, athletic training

Division of Nursing, Dr. Richelle A. Rennegarbe, chairperson

Patricia A. Evans, Vergennes, nursing

Penney S. Haas, Belleville, nursing

Master of Science in Nursing

Lori A. Fassler, Alton, nursing education

Janice L. Albers, Bartelso, nursing management/administration

Honors Program, Dr. Brian K. Frederking, director

Sarah L. Adams, New Baden

Lauren K. Mikkelson, Lebanon

Kristen E. Moore, O’Fallon

Ryan E. Vincent, New Baden

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, presented by Dr. Joni Bastian, vice president for student affairs and dean of students

Michael J. Anderson, Belleville

Matthew B. Ernst, Peoria

Elizabeth A. Gershon, Scott Air Force Base

Ryan S. Huelsmann, Breese

Monica A. Metzger, Swansea

Dustin A. Page, O’Fallon

Victoria E. Peters, Staunton

Jessica S. Spires, New Lenox

Jessica I. Tieman, Lincoln

Ryan E. Vincent, New Baden

Lincoln Laureate Award, Dr. Christine Bahr, provost and dean

Michael J. Anderson, Belleville

 

-McK-