McKendree University Honors Outstanding Students, Faculty & Staff

Honors Convocation Held During Academic Excellence Celebration

(LEBANON, Ill., April 28, 2017) - McKendree University recognized academic achievers across all disciplines and presented awards to three faculty members and two staff members at an Honors Convocation held April 27 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. The event was part of the university’s fourth annual Academic Excellence Celebration.

Dr. Michele Schutzenhofer, chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics and associate professor of biology, gave the opening address, “Traveling the Path of Lifelong Learning.”

Students were recognized for maintaining high grade point averages while participating in clubs and organizations, athletics, music, service projects and other activities, said Dr. Christine Bahr, provost.

Maximilian Aviles, a senior international relations major and Spanish minor from San Bernardino, Calif., received the Technos International Prize for academic achievement and commitment to international understanding. A member of the honors program and four honor societies, he maintained an outstanding grade point average, participated in the Model U.N. program, and went on two service-learning trips to Jamaica.

“In the classroom, Max provides insightful analyses on immigration and the impact of globalization on developing countries,” said the provost. Aviles is one of only 20 students in the U.S. recently awarded the prestigious Pickering Foreign Service Fellowship, which will provide funding for graduate school and prepare him for a career with the U.S. Department of State.

Dr. Guy Boysen, associate professor of psychology, received the 2017 Exemplary Teacher Award, given by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. Nominated by full-time faculty members and chosen by past recipients, selection criteria include excellence in teaching, civility and concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value centered education, and service to students, the institution and the community.

Boysen has established himself as an outstanding instructor, active researcher and accomplished scholar who has published numerous papers and given many professional conference presentations, often including students as collaborators. “He maintains high expectations, and students find his courses engaging, current and relevant,” said Bahr. “He designs his courses around best practices in teaching and is deliberate in everything he does to help students learn, combining technology, quizzes, case studies, discussions and mini-lectures to provide a top-notch academic experience.”

Associate Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching were presented to part-time faculty members Lisa Brennan and Daphne Behrmann. Brennan has taught undergraduate English courses for 11 years at the Lebanon campus, Scott Air Force Base and online. She coordinated the First-Generation Student Success Program and worked in the Writing Center for several years, where she supervised many part-time tutors, created a formal training program, and implemented tutoring for online students. Behrmann, a McKendree graduate, has had a long and successful association with the MBA program since 2006, both online and on campus. Her Global Organization and Management course helps students appreciate how the complex intersection of culture, economics, industry regulation, and strategic alliances impact the international firm.

Two staff members received the President’s Award for Professional Excellence: Josie Blasdel, director of undergraduate admission, an employee since 2002; and Melissa Meeker, associate dean of online programs, an employee for over 20 years and a McKendree alumna. Criteria for the award are leadership, distinguished accomplishment, performance beyond the call of duty, creativity and innovation, and outstanding service.

Dr. James Dennis, university president, introduced Blasdel “as a great leader, someone who bleeds purple, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and beloved. She wears many hats, but her greatest passion is working with students.” He described Meeker as “an innovator, leader and hard worker who has also proven to be very flexible, adding many responsibilities to her duties over the years.”

School and division chairs introduced the following students for exceptional achievement within their respective areas:

College of Arts and Sciences

Division of Computing, Dr. Kian Pokorny, chairperson

Stacy Wilke, Belleville, Ill., computer information systems

Madelaine Zinser, Mascoutah, Ill., computational science

James Schoeneman, Perryville, Mo., computer science

Center at Scott Air Force Base

Joshua Daughtery, Troy, Ill., computer information systems

Jeremiah Robillard, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., computer science

Division of Humanities, Dr. Kevin Zanelotti, chairperson

Natalie Correll, Danvers, Ill., English

Alina Jeau Llanas, Oregon, Ill., organizational communication

Jackson MacLean, Lincoln, Neb., philosophy

Sarah Goetze, Green Valley, Ill., professional writing and rhetoric

Victoria Day, Martinsville, Ill., public relations

Dutch Nave, Morris, Ill., religious studies

Lauren Reeves, O’Fallon, Ill., speech communication

Division of Science & Mathematics, Dr. Michele Schutzenhofer, chairperson

Alexandra Nash, Lebanon, Ill., biology

Vincent Spradling, Columbia, Ill., environmental studies

Stephanie Lake, St. Louis, Mo., mathematics

Division of Social Sciences, Dr. Neil Quisenberry, chairperson

Taylor Wright, New Baden, Ill., biopsychology

Vincent Spradling, Columbia, Ill., global studies

Katlyn Mohl, Fults, Ill., history

Hannah Valbert, Granite City, Ill., history education

Maximilian Aviles, San Bernardino, Calif., international relations

McKenna Scaturro, Granite City, Ill., political science

Brandon Nabors, Mt. Vernon, Ill., psychology

Mae Wells, St. Jacob, Ill., psychology

Kennon Henderson, Allen, Texas, sociology

Diana Nevarez Ramirez, El Paso, Texas, sociology

External Programs

DeAnna Wong, Navarre, Fla., psychology

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

Christopher Smith, Granite City, Ill., music education

School of Business, Dr. Jean Sampson, chairperson

Valerie Lukens, Trenton, Ill., The School of Business Outstanding Student of the Year, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

Monica Stein, O’Fallon, Ill., accounting

Shannon Docherty, Mt. Vernon, Ill., business administration

Jeffrey Jacober, Trenton, Ill., economics and finance

Elizabeth Dykstra, McLeansboro, Ill., marketing

Kayti Rose, South Roxana, Ill., sport management

Center at Scott Air Force Base

Kyle Brink, Centralia, Ill., accounting

Keenan Dickens, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., business administration

Stephanie Kornett, O’Fallon, Ill., management

External Programs

Janell Straeter, Highland, Ill., business administration

Pamela Eversgerd, Germantown, Ill., management

Lyndon Forby, Carterville, Ill., marketing

Master of Business Administration

John Flick, Caseyville, Ill., business administration

Kimberly Potter, Maryville, Ill., business administration

School of Education, Dr. Allison Fahsl, chairperson

Acadia Reynolds, New Orleans, La., elementary education

Master of Arts in Education

Rachel Forby, Goreville, Ill, educational administration and leadership

Melissa Meyer, Ellis Grove, Ill., educational administration and leadership

Victoria Taylor, Smithton, Ill., educational studies - reading

JoAnna Espique, Lebanon, Ill., special education

Melissa Stewart, O’Fallon, Ill., teacher leadership

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Division of Health Professions, Dr. Dawn Hankins, chairperson

Chloe Knight, Las Vegas, Nev., athletic training

Chelsey Henrichs, Breese, Ill., exercise science and sports performance

Giuseppe Fiduccia, Hanover Park, Ill., physical education K-12

Master of Arts

Zane Maus, Lebanon, Ill., professional counseling

Division of Nursing, Dr. Kelli Whittington, chairperson

Brittany Davis, East Alton, Ill., nursing

Meghan Shackleton, De Soto, Ill., nursing

Master of Science in Nursing

Jamie Billups, Fairview Heights, Ill., nursing education

Ann Hanson, Godfrey, Ill., nursing management/administration

Honors Program

Maximilian Aviles, San Bernardino, Calif.; Natalie Correll, Danvers, Ill.; Jackson MacLean, Lincoln, Neb.; Holly Magre, Festus, Mo.; Sarah Mueller, Chester, Ill.; Brandon Nabors, Mt. Vernon, Ill.; McKenna Scaturro, Granite City, Ill.; Mae Wells, St. Jacob, Ill.

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

Lucendia Adams, Dahlgren, Ill.; Danté Anglin, O’Fallon, Ill.; Cheyenne Autry, Breese, Ill.; Allison Donofrio, Carrier Mills, Ill.; Rachel Ford, Trenton, Ill.; Kennon Henderson, Allen, Texas; Rachel Kaltwasser, Belleville, Ill.; Stephanie Lake, St. Louis, Mo.; Brandon Nabors, Mt. Vernon, Ill.; Rebecca Nauman, Yorkville, Ill.; Gregory Ortiz, Granite City, Ill.; Kaitlin Pennington, Creal Springs, Ill.; Megan Porter, Gifford, Ill.; Bailey Rhoades, St. Charles, Mo.; Robert Watkins, LaGrange, Ill.

Newman Civic Fellow Award

Jessica Lirios, Greenville, Ill.

Lincoln Laureate Award

Acadia Reynolds, New Orleans, La.

Technos International Prize

Maximilan Aviles, San Bernardino, Calif.

 

-McK-