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Tucker Copi (Springfield, IL), College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, Political Science Departmental Scholar, Summa Cum Laude
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Amy Jo Byers (Ferris, IL), College of Business and Technology Scholar, Accountancy Departmental Scholar, Summa Cum Laude
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Ryan M. Schmidt (Warrenville, IL), College of Education and Human Services Scholar, Honors Scholar, Summa Cum Laude
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Abby Levine Chien (Peoria, IL), College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar, Honors Scholar, Music (B.A.) Departmental Scholar, Summa Cum Laude
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Ziyad "Zee" Al-Mutairi (Evanston, IL), Centennial Honors College Scholar, Honors Scholar, English Departmental Scholar, Magna Cum Laude
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Michael A. Minton (Decatur, IL), School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar
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WIU Spring 2012 College, Departmental, Honors Scholars

May 1, 2012

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MACOMB, IL- Six students participating in Western Illinois University's 2012 Spring Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies May 11-12 in Macomb have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named a Cecile A. Christison Sterrett College Scholar. Another top honoree was named the speaker for the Academic Honors Convocation.

The 2 p.m. Friday, May 11 Academic Honors Convocation in Western Hall will honor College, Departmental and Honors scholars and graduates who have earned academic distinction throughout their Western Illinois University career. Students receive a medallion for each honor, which they wear at Commencement ceremonies. College Scholars also receive a cash award from the WIU Foundation.

College Scholars are determined by their outstanding academic excellence and service through the dean's offices, upon recommendation by faculty. 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.

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.

CONVOCATION SPEAKER
Sarah Joanne Noack (Eureka, IL), an upper division Honors Scholar who will graduate with high academic distinction (Magna Cum Laude), is the Academic Convocation Speaker. The communication major with a music business minor will speak to her classmates about "A Love for Learning." "I will address that learning is an innate desire that has rewarded us in our formal education and will continue to reward us in future careers and as a member of society. I will encourage my classmates to embrace their love of learning as it will guide them to success in many areas of their lives," Noack said.

She was a four-year member of the Marching Leathernecks drumline, serving as section leader last fall; was the public relations director for the WIU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America; was the fundraising chair for the WIU Music Business Association; and conducted student research under the tutelage of Broadcasting Professor Roger Sadler and Communication Professor Lisa Miczo. She completed an internship in Summer 2011 with the Peoria Park District, and this spring, Noack was named the Thomson Scholar Honors Undergraduate Award winner. Her goal is to apply communication and music business into a public relations and promotions career in the music industry. Sarah is the daughter of William and Patricia Noack of Eureka.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOLAR
Tucker Copi (Springfield, IL) is the College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, the Political Science Departmental Scholar and will graduate with the highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. Copi has served as president of the Student Government Association and College Democrats. He was the Obama campaign manager in Western Illinois University's 2011 Mock Presidential Convention. Copi was a three-year resident assistant and a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Students Today Leaders Forever. He volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Macomb. Copi completed a summer internship in the U.S. House of Representatives and worked summers at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. The first student member of the Springfield (IL) School Board, he will pursue a master's degree in public policy, with a goal to eventually run for public office in Illinois. Tucker is the son of David and Gail Copi of Springfield.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLAR
Amy Jo Byers (Ferris, IL) is the College of Business and Technology Scholar, the Accountancy Departmental Scholar and will graduate with the highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. Byers is the recording administrator for Western's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honorary organization for financial information professionals; a member of the Leathernecks track and field team; and part of Rocky's Reach, where student-athletes volunteer in the Macomb community and interact with elementary-age children. She has served as an undergraduate teaching assistant and a First Year Experience peer mentor. She served a six-month internship in Western's billing and receivables office. Byers also has volunteered for the local Shaymus Relays fundraiser, Bowling for Kids' Sake, Angel Tree, Samaritan Well and Relay for Life. A member of the Illinois CPA Society, Byers plans to return to WIU in the Master of Accountancy program and become a CPA. Amy is the daughter of Rex and Kim Byers of Ferris, IL.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
Ryan M. Schmidt (Warrenville, IL) is the College of Education and Human Services Scholar, an Honors Scholar and will graduate with the highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. He will earn a B.S. in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and a B.A. in Spanish. He also has a minor in forensic psychology. Schmidt was a study abroad student to Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, where he studied law and dictatorship, advanced Spanish literature and intermediate conversational Spanish. This spring, he served a volunteer internship in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in Washington, D.C. He also completed a volunteer internship with the Addison (IL) Police Department in Summer 2010. Schmidt is a member of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the criminal justice business fraternity; Alpha Phi Sigma, the honor's criminal justice business fraternity; Delta Upsilon fraternity; and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He served his fraternity as a tutor for law enforcement, Spanish and psychology. He was a member of WIU's Roller Hockey Club, serving as treasurer his freshman year and as president the past three years. Ryan is the son of Jack Schmidt of Warrenville and Catherine Schmidt of Branson (MO).

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Abby Levine Chien (Peoria, IL) is the College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar, an Honors Scholar, the Music (B.A.) Departmental Scholar and will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. Chien, president of the University's chapter of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), plays oboe and English horn in the WIU Wind Ensemble, the WIU Symphony Orchestra and various chamber ensembles. She has served as a First Year Experience peer mentor and a student representative on the School of Music's talent grant committee. Chien was a member of the Student Orientation Team, which assists new students and their families with the transition to WIU; a Discover Western tour guide; and a minority student ambassador. She was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Chien teaches private oboe lessons in the Macomb community, and performs with the Quincy (IL) Symphony Orchestra. This fall, Chien intends to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in higher education and student affairs. Abby is the daughter of Bruce Chien and Susan Levine of Peoria.

CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Ziyad "Zee" Al-Mutairi (Evanston, IL) is the Centennial Honors College Scholar, an Honors Scholar, the English Departmental Scholar and will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude. Last year, he was named the English department's scholar of the year. Mutairi, who will graduate in three years, has presented research papers in Illinois and in Rhode Island. He was accepted, but unable to participate in, The Institute of Cultural Diplomacy's Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany (December 2011). He held leadership roles with Sigma Tau Delta, the English honors society, and Western's Student Government Association. He is a member of Mortar Board honor society, Conversation Partner and is a conversation mentor at WIU. He also is a former merit scholarship student at the prestigious Ballet Chicago and the renowned School of American Ballet in New York City. Next year, Mutairi plans to study for a Master in Economic Law at the Institute d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (France). He also wants to advance his studies in political science, with an emphasis in public law in the U.S. Mutairi is the son of Chris Burke of Evanston.

SCHOOL OF DISTANCE LEARNING, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND OUTREACH
Michael A. Minton (Decatur, IL) is the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar. He had a 32-year career in fire service, all with the Decatur Fire Department. Minton volunteers his time to many good causes, including: serving as a volunteer instructor for the American Heart Association (29 years); working with the Salvation Army's Toys for Tots program (30 years); assisting with the March of Dime's Fill the Boot campaign (15 years); and his home church. He also teaches fire science courses at the community college level.

DEPARTMENTAL AND HONORS SCHOLARS, ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
By Illinois counties, out of state and other nations:

ADAMS COUNTY
Coatsburg (62325)- Nick Robert Knuffman, Family and Consumer Sciences Departmental Scholar
Quincy (62305)- Bradley Fenton, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar

BUREAU COUNTY
Depue (61322)- Karina Gavina, Spanish Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction Magna Cum Laude

CARROLL COUNTY
Thomson (61285)- Ryan Ashby, Supply Chain Management major, Honors Scholar

CASS COUNTY
Chandlerville (62627)- Courtney Richardson, Communication Sciences and Disorders Departmental Scholar
Beardstown (62618)- Joshua D. Lathrop, Exercise Science Departmental Scholar

COOK COUNTY
Arlington Heights (60004)- Gina Sacchetti, Psychology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Alsip (60803)- Colleen M. Biebel, Elementary Education Departmental Scholar
Chicago (60612, 2200 Block of W Monroe St.)- Memory Cain, Biology major, Honors Scholar
(60628, 500 Block of W Pierce St.)- Steven Christopher Hodges, Broadcasting Departmental Scholar
(60655, 2500 Block of W 103rd St)- Antonio Brennan, English major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Elk Grove Village (60007)- Kevin Roberts, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Franklin Park (60131)- Cosimo Patano, Physical Education Departmental Scholar; Bartlomiej Redlinski, Forensic Chemistry major, Honors Scholar
LaGrange Highlands (60525)- Matthew Hiller, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar; Brady Lavin, Music major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Lansing (60438)- Tracy Kocinski, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Maywood (60153)- Jameelah Zakiyyah Muhammad, Forensic Chemistry Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Mt. Prospect (60056)- Kenneth Holik, Supply Chain Management major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Niles (60714)- Paul Gustek, Information Systems major, Honors Scholar
Oak Forest (60452)- Stephanie Graber, Sociology major, Honors Scholar
Orland Park (60467)- James Feliksik, English major, Honors Scholar
Schaumburg (60193)- Jenna Verity, Political Science major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

DEKALB COUNTY
DeKalb (60115)- Hayley Dallmann, Graphic Communication major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

DUPAGE COUNTY
Addison (60101)- Janet Lopez, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Aurora (60504)- Crystal Sewell, Social Work major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Bloomingdale (61520)- Ryan Sifcak, Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar
Lombard (60148)- Megan Soger, Sociology major, Honors Scholar
Naperville (60563)- Carly Anne Schrimpl, Social Work Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Villa Park (60181)- Rodolfo Perez, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar
Warrenville (60555)- Elizabeth Leonard, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
West Chicago (60185)- Cory Benhart, Sociology major, Honors Scholar

FULTON COUNTY
Avon (61415)- Sharon Herrington, History major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Canton (61520)- John R. Parkinson, Engineering Departmental Scholar
Farmington (61531)- Dakota Horn, Communication major, Honors Scholar
Table Grove (61482)- Sarah Kay Ritter, Instructional Design and Technology Departmental Scholar, also Journalism major, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

HANCOCK COUNTY
Carthage (62321)- Jacqueline G. Galloway, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
La Harpe (61450)- Jessica BreAnne Boyle, Health Services Management Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

HENDERSON COUNTY
Stronghurst (61480)- Valerie Alice Corey, History Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

HENRY COUNTY
Cambridge (61238)- Cayla Rae Walsh, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Departmental Scholar
Colona (60504)- Cassandra Smith, Elementary Education major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Geneseo (61254)- Corinne Noel Cushman, Art (B.A.) Departmental Scholar; Mary Pearl, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Kewanee (61443)- Michelle Anne Matuszyk, Graphic Communication Departmental Scholar

JERSEY COUNTY
Jerseyville (62052)- Elizabeth Ann Clothier, Art (BFA) Departmental Scholar

KENDALL COUNTY
Oswego (60543)- Ryan T. Washburn, Network Technologies Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar; Gregory Wooley, English major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Plano (60545)- Steven M. Stark, Computer Sciences Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

KNOX COUNTY
Galesburg (61401)- Roger Bernard Workheiser, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar

LAKE COUNTY
Antioch (60002)- Caitlin Kanvik, Marketing major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude
Grayslake (60030)- Rebecca Lutz, Elementary Education major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Highland Park (60035)- Jonathan Bilotti, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar
Hoffman Estates (60010)- Matthew James Alderman, Marketing Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic honor, Magna Cum Laude
Vernon Hills (60061)- James Richard Bedolla, Athletic Training Departmental Scholar

LA SALLE COUNTY
Grand Ridge (61325)- Justin N. Crabb, Anthropology Departmental Scholar
Streator (61364)- Molly Brockman, History major, Honors Scholar

LEE COUNTY
Amboy (61310)- Jessica Schnaiter, Exercise Science major, Honors Scholar; Bethany Floy Wittenauer, Emergency Management Departmental Scholar

LOGAN COUNTY
Lincoln (62656)- Amber Lynn Simmons, Chemistry Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

MCDONOUGH COUNTY
Macomb (61455)- Zachary G. Bemis, Finance Departmental Scholar; Jackson Daniel Courter, French Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Sean Crowe, physics major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; Caleb R. Mackey, Geography Departmental Scholar; Terrance J. Lemons, Religious Studies Departmental Scholar; Carly Jo Parchet, Emergency Management major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Allison Ann Troy, Sociology Departmental Scholar

Tennessee (62374)- Starlet Elizabeth Baker, Philosophy Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

MCHENRY COUNTY
Crystal Lake (60014)- Sean Thomas Crowe, Physics Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Johnsburg (60051)- Christopher Bateman, Spanish major, Honors Scholar
Woodstock (60098)- Kandice Hammer, Forensic Chemistry major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction Cum Laude

MCLEAN COUNTY
Saybrook (61770)- Jenna L. Braasch, Journalism Departmental Scholar

MENARD COUNTY
Athens (62613)- Amy Bednarko, Athletic Training major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude.

OGLE COUNTY
Byron (61010)- Tyra Judith Woodruff, Meteorology Departmental Scholar

PEORIA COUNTY
Chillicothe (61523)- Zachary Gould, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar; Calli Lavon Vonk, Special Education Departmental Scholar
Peoria (61604)- Tristen Brenae' Johnson, African American Studies Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction Magna Cum Laude
Princeville (61559)- Michelle Aleis Storm, Construction Management Departmental Scholar

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
East Moline (61244)- Donna Marie Roberson, Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Milan (61264)- Sean Rolfs, Interdisciplinary Studies Departmental Scholar
Moline (61265)- Matthew Ryan Vermeere, Supply Chain Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Port Byron (61275)- Kelsey Campbell, Graphic Communication major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude; Arianne Williams, Finance major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

SAINT CLAIR COUNTY
Mascoutah (62258)- Joseph Lucas, Chemistry major, Honors Scholar

SANGAMON COUNTY
Pleasant Plains (62677)- Kevin Andrew Heideman, Agriculture Departmental Scholar
Springfield (62711)- Kelby Jasmon, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar

STEPHENSON COUNTY
Freeport (61032)- Katrin Nava, Art major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Charity Lynn Otte, Communication Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Lena (61048)- Jeffrey P. Liles, Biology Education Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude; Jordan Liles, Biology major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

WARREN COUNTY
Monmouth (61462)- Nick Waterman, Management major, Honors Scholar
Roseville (61473)- Chelsea Ann Peterson, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude

WHITESIDE COUNTY
Morrison (61270)- Trevor Popkin, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction Magna Cum Laude

WILL COUNTY
Bolingbrook (60440)- Kelly Keating, Women's Studies major, Honors Scholar
Frankfort (60423)- Christine Kay Gardner, Geology Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude
Plainfield (60544)- Matthew Fischer, Broadcasting major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction Magna Cum Laude; Rebecca Gallico, Elementary Education major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude; Ethan Ivey, Music Education major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Loves Park (61111)- Jonathan Edward Devereueawax, Economics (B.B.) Departmental Scholar
Machesney Park (61115)- Sierra Horras, Bachelor of Science in Nursing major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

WOODFORD COUNTY
Eureka (61530)- Sarah Noack, Communication major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

OUT OF STATE
IOWA
Asbury (52002)- Marlaina Liskey, Social Work major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Bettendorf (52722)- Logan Dykema, Information Systems Departmental Scholar; Heidi Mekalson, Supply Chain Management major, Honors Scholar
Davenport (52806)- Stacy Jones, Forensic Chemistry major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic honor, Magna Cum Laude
New London (52645)- Victoria Jacobsen, Theatre major, Honors Scholar

MASSACHUSETTS
Rockland (02370) - Joshua James Wood, Economics (B.A.) Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, Cum Laude

NEW JERSEY
Delran (08075)- Shawn Fitzpatrick, Political Science major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

WISCONSIN
Black River Falls (54615)- Brooke Stittleburg, Biology major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude
Grafton (53024)- Anna Christine Cline, Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar
West Salem (54669)- Allison M. Gilbert, Health Sciences Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

OTHER COUNTRIES
JAPAN
Tokushima- Manato Kaisho, Political Science major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

PERU
Lima- Andrea Beltran Landers, Music (B.M.) Departmental Scholar

SPAIN
Madrid- Alejandro Buceta, Theatre Departmental Scholar

TURKEY
Malatya- Berkay Surmeli, Computer Science major, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude

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