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College of Arts and Sciences Scholar Kylie R. Wilson (Macomb, IL)
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College of Business and Technology Scholar Tabetha Lynn Dungan (Brimfield, IL)
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College of Education and Human Services Scholar Natalie Anne Cumbie (Lake St. Louis, MO)
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College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar Taylor Paige Stone (Coal Valley, IL)
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Centennial Honors College Scholar Nicholas Breslin (Galesburg, IL)
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School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar Arlen Lee Britton (Colchester, IL)
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WIU Fall 2016 College, Departmental, Honors Scholars

December 7, 2016

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Six students participating in Western Illinois University's Fall 2016 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies December 17 in Macomb have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named a College Scholar. Another top honoree was named the speaker for the Academic Honors Convocation ceremony.

The 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 Academic Honors Convocation in Western Hall will honor College, Departmental and Honors scholars and students who have earned academic distinction throughout their Western Illinois University careers. Students will receive a medallion for each honor, which they will wear at Commencement ceremonies.

Approximately 10 percent of graduating seniors achieve academic distinction, which is designed as Summa Cum Laude, highest academic distinction, with a minimum grade point average of 3.90; Magna Cum Laude, high academic distinction, with a GPA of 3.75-3.89; and Cum Laude, academic distinction, with a GPA between 3.60-3.74.

Faculty in each of Western Illinois University's four academic colleges; the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach; and the Centennial Honors College select a graduating senior as the college's outstanding student. Students graduating as College Scholars have satisfied the criteria of excellence established by their individual academic college's faculty members. A Departmental Scholar is an outstanding degree candidate in an academic major as determined by the faculty in the major department. *An Honors Scholar is a student in the Centennial Honors College who has completed a set of honors requirements and has achieved a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

Convocation Speaker

Jane E. Marshall (Keokuk, IA) is the Convocation Speaker and will deliver her speech, "Added Value." She will graduate with a bachelor's degree in supply chain management major, and she is an Honors Scholar, who will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude.

College of Arts and Sciences Scholar

Kylie R. Wilson (Macomb, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in biology, with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. At Western, Wilson has been active in WIU's chapter of the National Science Teacher's Association and served as the public relations officer for the chapter from 2013-15. She also is active in the University's Peace Corps Prep Program, and she helped organize events for WIU's Biology Day in 2014 and in 2015, as well as for the Illinois Region I Science Olympiad in 2015 and 2016. She is also active in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (2012-present) and the National Association of Biology Teachers (2014-present). She is a member of an educational professional learning community responsible for developing field-based and project-based curriculum for science education organization by the National Science Foundation through Western New Mexico University. After earning her graduate degree, Wilson plans to pursue a career in teaching science for students in grades 6-12. She is the daughter of Wayne and Tammi Wilson.

College of Business and Technology Scholar

Tabetha Lynn Dungan (Brimfield, IL) graduates with a bachelor's of business in accountancy. She is also the Accountancy Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. At Western, Dungan has served as the president of the Western Illinois Student Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Off campus, Dungan is active in the Brimfield American Legion Auxiliary and Girls Scouts. Dungan plans to obtain her CMA (certified management accountant) credentials and has already sat for the first part of the exam. She has obtained a full-time position with John Deere Reman (Springfield, MO) upon her graduation. Dungan is the daughter of Charlie and Tina Dungan.

College of Education and Human Services Scholar

Natalie Anne Cumbie (Lake St. Louis, MO) graduates with a bachelor's of science in elementary education, with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. She is also the Elementary Education Departmental Scholar. At Western, Cumbie has been a student-athlete with the women's swimming and diving team since 2013, and she has been actively involved with the Student Education Association at WIU since 2013, as well. She has served as a member of the Illinois Education Association, the National Education Association, the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council for the Social Studies. Cumbie has also volunteered for Rocky's Reach in western Illinois elementary schools and served as a swim lesson instructor for the Lake St. Louis Sea Lion Swim Team. She plans to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher and will continue her studies in special education. She is the daughter of Scott and Kathy Cumbie.

College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar

Taylor Paige Stone (Coal Valley, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in music, with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. She is also the Music Education Departmental Scholar. At Western, Stone has been a member of a few performance ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. She also served as the drum major for the Marching Leathernecks. Stone served as the president of Sigma Alpha Iota (2015-16), is a member of the National Association for Music Education and a member of the Quad City Flute Association. Stone has been accepted into the University of Northern Iowa's Camp Adventure Internship Program will work with children on a U.S. military base abroad during the spring 2017. She hopes to one day direct a middle or high school band program. Stone is the daughter of Ronald and Amy Stone.

Centennial Honors College Scholar

Nicholas Breslin (Galesburg, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in physics, with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. He is also the Physics Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. While at Western, Breslin was named an honorable mention award winner in the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, one of only nine college students in Illinois named honorable mention award winners. He is part of the University's Centennial Honors College Hall of Fame, and he was recognized for having the top oral presentation in physics at the Illinois State Academy of Science conference. He earned first place in WIU's 2015 Physics Research Day contest and has served as a resident assistant for a floor of honors students in Thompson Hall. Breslin is also a senior research fellow for The Presidents Institute at Western, served as treasurer for the Blue Key Honor Society and served as vice president for membership education of Delta Upsilon. After graduation from Western, Breslin plans to seek a doctoral degree in condensed matter physics and become a university professor. Breslin is the son of Scott and MaryBeth Breslin.

School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar

Arlen Lee Britton (Colchester, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in general studies, with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude. He is also the General Studies Departmental Scholar. Britton works for Western Illinois University Facilities Management as a building service worker. He also worked as a sports writer and reporter for the former Macomb Journal and has performed sports analysis on the radio for WIU football and men's basketball games. He plans to use his newly earned degree in some capacity before he retires.

Departmental and Honors Scholars, Academic Distinction

By Illinois counties, out of state and other nations:

Illinois
Adams County
Camp Point (62320) — Jody S. Beckman, biology, Biology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Quincy (62301) — Anyssa Marie Hining, psychology, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Calhoun County
Hardin (62047)—Samantha Nicole Martin, agriculture, Agriculture Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude Samantha

Cass County
Beardstown (62618) — Cari Sue Sheppard, special education, Special Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Virginia (62691) — Dalton Aaron Jackson, computer science, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

Champaign County
Mahomet (61853) — Jessica F. Burke, English, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Christian County
Taylorville (62568) — Emily Suzanne Nation, accountancy, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

Cook County
Burnham (60633) — Jamee Hale, mathematics, Mathematics Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar
Chicago (60626) — Charles Evans, music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Chicago (60634) — Daniel Thomas Birt, law enforcement and justice administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Chicago (60656) — William J. Hilger, law enforcement and justice administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Chicago Ridge (60415) — Rebecca Ann Dunterman, psychology, Psychology Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Franklin Park (60131) — Aleksandra Redlinska, chemistry, Chemistry Departmental Scholar
Homewood (60430) — Frank Anthony Parenti, law enforcement and justice administration, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Tinley Park (60477) — Nigel Jamar Range, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

DeKalb County
Genoa (60135) — Zachary W. Bussen, biology, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

DuPage County
Glendale Heights (60139) — Holly Buchanan, psychology, Honors Scholar
Wheaton (60189) — Katherine Anne Garon, forensic chemistry, Forensic Chemistry Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; and Sarah Griffin, recreation, park and tourism administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Fulton County
Canton (61520) — Katelin Lea Deushane, English, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Emily Ellsworth, recreation, park and tourism administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Cody M. Ford, computer science, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; and Eric Jarvis, exercise science, Exercise Science Departmental Scholar

Hancock County
Carthage (62321) — Thomas G. Hamilton, family and consumer sciences, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Hamilton (62341) — Parker John Gibbs, marketing, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Nauvoo (62354) — Madisen Taylor Helwig, accountancy, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

Henry County
Geneseo (61254) — Maria Cathelean Fassett, general studies, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Kewanee (61443) — Donna Hughes, human resource management, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar; and Sarah Hughes, management, Honors Scholar
Orion (61273)— Austin Hepner, elementary education, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Kane County
Aurora (60506) — Patrick Knudtson, law enforcement and justice administration, Honors Scholar
South Elgin (60177) — Brian Adam Drews, music, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Kendall County
Plano (60545) — Jordan Mahara, elementary education, Honors Scholar
Yorkville (60560) — Sharmula Vasnani, supply chain management, Honors Scholar

Knox County
Abingdon (61410) — Jamelia Tinkham, special education, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Galesburg (61401) — Nicholas Breslin, physics, Centennial Honors College Scholar, Physics Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Carly Anne Lukas, agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Katherine Peterson, economics, Economics Departmental Scholar; and Brittany Christine Robertson, music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Lake County
Grayslake (60030) — Skyler Jessop, physical education K-12, Physical Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Lake Villa (60046) — Darby Jo Shaw, biology, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Mundelein (60060) — Casey A. Glazer, law enforcement and justice administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

LaSalle County
Marseilles (61341) — Angela Elzer, geology, Geology Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar
Mendota (61342) — Nolan M. Schuhler, supply chain management, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Utica (61373) — Joslin Sue Picatto, law enforcement and justice administration, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Livingston County
Pontiac (61764) — Kalyn Young, elementary education, Honors Scholar

Macon County
Decatur (62521) — Kyle Gorrell, fire protection services, Fire Protection Services Departmental Scholar

Madison County
Highland (62249) — Clayton P. Rehkemper, construction management, Construction Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

McDonough County
Colchester (62326) — Alexander James Breckenridge, sociology, Sociology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; and Arlen Lee Britton, general studies, School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar, General Studies Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Good Hope (61438) — Amanda C. Wrenn, accountancy, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Macomb (61455) — Alexis Araoz, geography and geographic information science, Geography and Geographic Information Science Departmental Scholar; Evan Bryant, philosophy, Philosophy Departmental Scholar; Kenneth F. Christine, media and instructional technology, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Tonya San Miguel, art, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; Kyle B. Nielson, recreation, park and tourism administration, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Daniel Patrick Smiley, law enforcement and justice administration, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Brett Taylor, recreation, park and tourism administration, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; and Kylie R. Wilson, biology, College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

McHenry County
Crystal Lake (60014) — Mary Hall, English, Honors Scholar; and Alena Marie Fakeri, elementary education, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

McLean County
Bloomington (61704) — Kellie Anne Nolan, musical theatre, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Mercer County
Viola (61486) — Vanessa Lynne Redpath, special education, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Peoria County
Bartonville (61607) — Hannah Lee Becker, music, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Brimfield (61517) — Tabetha Lynn Dungan, accountancy, College of Business and Technology Scholar, Accountancy Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Peoria (61604) — Brian Edward Mckinley, Jr., musical theatre, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Peoria (61615) — Josh Connor, biology, Honors Scholar

Rock Island County
Andalusia (61232) — Austin Kidd-Anderson, economics, Economics Departmental Scholar
Coal Valley (61240) — Taylor Paige Stone, music, College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar, Music Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Coal Valley (61240) — Jennifer Swofford, recreation, park and tourism administration, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar
Moline (61265) — Yawa Eklou, Accountancy, Honors Scholar; and Emelie Herrera-Ortiz, management, Management Departmental Scholar
Rock Island (61201) — Leslie Peterson, information systems, Information Systems Departmental Scholar

Saint Clair County
Belleville (62223) — Jennifer K. Williams, general studies, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
O'Fallon (62269)— Alexandria Karbach, political science, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

Sangamon County
Chatham (62629) — Hannah Nicole Crawford, elementary education, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Springfield (62702) — Sara Lane, women's studies, Women's Studies Departmental Scholar
Springfield (62702) — Jessie Nelson, political science, Political Science Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar

Stephenson County
Freeport (61032) — Adam John Feiner, broadcasting, Broadcasting Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Tazewell County
Morton (61550) — David Dunn, economics, Honors Scholar

Whiteside County
Sterling (61081) — Duncan Christopher Gingrich, English, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Will County
Lockport (60441) — Nicole Catherine Foresman, special education, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Plainfield (60586) — Bruce Hedlund, general studies, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Romeoville (60446) — Queen Hibbler, art, Art Departmental Scholar

Winnebago County
Rockford (61101) — Jocelyn James, English, English Departmental Scholar
Rockford (61107) — Savannah Strandin, musical theatre, Honors Scholar

Out of State

Iowa
Argyle (52619) — Michaela Jaree Wheatley, psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Bettendorf (52722) — Cheyenne M. Coleman, elementary education, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; Anna C. Cullinan, marketing, Marketing Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; Cassandra Frances Kelly, elementary education, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Tayler Kerr, elementary education, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; and Robert T. Kinzenbaw, elementary education, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Davenport (52803) — Josie Mumm, liberal arts and sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Davenport (52804) — Hang Nguyen, supply chain management, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; and Sylvia Marlene Reyes, elementary education, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Davenport (52806) — Matthew J. Tucker, management, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Davenport (52807) — Alicia Johnson, communication, Communication Departmental Scholar
Durant (52747) — Adam Sterner, engineering technology, Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar
Keokuk (52632) — Jane E. Marshall, supply chain management, Convocation Speaker, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Muscatine (52761) — Allison Hartman, geology, Honors Scholar

Indiana
Fishers (46038) — Derek Skinner, law enforcement and justice administration, Honors Scholar

Missouri
Bridgeton (63044) — Kaitlyn Nicole Hirschbeck, music, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Canton (63435) — William Hogan, network technologies, Network Technologies Departmental Scholar
Lake St. Louis (63367) — Natalie Anne Cumbie, elementary education, College of Education and Human Services Scholar, Elementary Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Taylor (63471) — Isabelle A. Dames, communication sciences and disorders, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Ohio
Weston (43569) — Sarah A. Sikula, supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

Wisconsin
Shawano (54166)— Andie Villez, family and consumer sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Stoughton (53589) — Shannon N. Fields, musical theatre, Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

International

China
Shaghai — Xitong "Rebecca" Chen, journalism, Journalism Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

Saudi Arabia
Jeddah — Rashid Atallah Aljohani, computer science, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Makkah— Hattan Omrani, computer science, Computer Sciences Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing