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Madison Lynn, Interim Associate Provost Mark Mossman & Women's Studies Professor and FYE Faculty Associate Lori Baker-Sperry
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FYE Awards: Biernbaum, Lynn, Cherry Named Instructor, Peer Mentor, Student of the Year

April 29, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- John Biernbaum (JB), associate vice president for student services at Western Illinois University, has been named the WIU First Year Experience (FYE) Instructor of the Year. WIU student Madison Lynn, a junior accountancy major from Macomb and Biernbaum's peer mentor for University 100, and Jada Cherry, a freshman exercise science major from Chicago, have been named FYE Peer Mentor of the Year and FYE First Year Student, respectively.

FYE, which is coordinated by Mark Mossman, interim associate provost, and Lori Baker-Sperry, a professor of Women's Studies and FYE faculty associate, is a University-wide program that helps all incoming first year students make a successful transition to college from their previous educational or life experience. Freshmen are required to take two FYE courses in their first semester (UNIV 100 and a "Y" section of a general education or introductory course in a specific major). These special courses are limited to freshmen only and offer a class size of approximately 22. FYE sessions offered in the residence halls allow first year students to meet, live and transition into college life together.

The Instructor of the Year Award is given to a University 100 instructor who displayed excellence in the classroom, used creative teaching methods to assist first year students in their transition to WIU and integrated the mission and goals of the FYE Program throughout his/her course.

Lynn, Biernbaum's nominator said, "JB is loved by our U100 class. He approached the class with a contagious energy that got even the shyest student involved. His unconventional tactic encouraged everyone to participate and the majority of the students developed friendships with each other.

"On the first day, JB learned every student's name and hometown. He tried to encourage every student in his lessons, and he always made class fun," Lynn added. "His humor and positive attitude made many of our students excited to come to U100. He taught them valuable life lessons, and always treated our students like adults. In everything he told them, he strived to shape them into better students, leaders and citizens.

"More than anything, JB cared immensely about our class. He would go to the ends of the earth for our students," she said. "He helped one student achieve her dream of joining the track team. He helped motivate another to excel as a student leader. He encouraged numerous others to step out of their comfort zones, likely making a difference in their retention. And as a peer mentor, which was far out of my comfort zone, he supported me in all of my ideas for U100, and mentored me through one of my hardest semesters. Without JB's guidance and encouragement, I wouldn't be the student I am today."

The First Year Experience Peer Mentor Award is given to a First Year Experience peer mentor who displayed excellence in preparation for and support of classroom FYE UNIV 100 course programming, used creative methods for engaging first year students in their transition to WIU and integrated the mission and goals of the FYE Program in his or her work.

Biernbaum, Lynn's nominator, said that Lynn's support and effort led to "an incredibly successful Fall 2019 semester for Section 56 of the University 100 class.

"From the beginning, Madison worked diligently to get out of her own comfort zone and truly make connections with all the students in our section. Through her interactions with students, she picked up on cues of those who were struggling, and would discuss with them their situation and point them in the right direction," Biernbaum said. "She was nothing short of outstanding in helping our students connect to the campus community and student organizations. She never stopped plugging the concept of involvement.

"She gained the respect of our class, which was a very diverse one. It was fun to watch her grow and gain confidence," Biernbaum added. "Our class was not a quiet one. No topics were off limits, and watching Madison assist in guiding these discussions still brings a smile to my face. In short, she made a hell of a difference. Because of Madison Lynn, our students are academically, socially and emotionally better prepared to be successful students at WIU."

The FYE First Year Student Award is given to a first year student in FY19 who has completed or is currently enrolled in a UNIV 100 Y or U course, and has been an active participant in class and engaged with other students.

Peer mentor Erin Trybulec, Cherry's nominator, said "Jada become one of the most motivated and involved students in the entire class. She shared her honest opinions of the class and presentations with us, and was one of the most encouraging and active participants. She interacted with others, during class and field trips/tours, and she got our class to open up and share their feelings, concerns and more. She helped cultivate our classroom community and turned it into an encouraging environment that supported honesty and growth."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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