University News
RPTA Professional Development Conference Awards
May 12, 2014

MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) students and alumni received awards during the RPTA Professional Development Conference (PDC) held April 10-11.
This year, the annual RPTA PDC was open to students of all majors at Western. In addition to the conference program, the event featured alumni sharing their professional success stories and offered students opportunities to network with alumni.
Students and alumni honored include:
Department Scholar
Fall 2013—Cody Collins (Kankakee, IL), senior, RPTA
Spring 2014—Molly Rupert (Galesburg, IL), senior, RPTA
College Scholar Nominees
Spring 2014—Molly Rupert (Galesburg, IL), senior, RPTA
RPTA Book Scholarship
Jenna Savoia (Macomb, IL), sophomore, RPTA; and Sarah Cuthbert (Tinley Park, IL), sophomore, RPTA
William Lakie Scholarship
Cheng Lun Chu Tarantola (Macomb, IL), graduate student, RPTA
RPTA Students of the Month
September 2013—Robyn Smalley (Burlington, IA), senior, RPTA
October 2013—Alexis Burks (Calumet City, IL), senior, RPTA
November 2013—Clifford Bolt (Illinois City, IL), senior, RPTA
February 2014—Hannah Cecil (Maquon, IL), junior, RPTA
March 2014—Amanda Kester (Byron, IL), junior, RPTA
Alumni Association Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumni Award
Cody Kamp, RPTA alumnus, 2000, from Fox Valley Park District
Gil Belles Book Review
Wilson Roegge (Quincy, IL), senior, exercise science; and Robyn Smalley (Burlington, IA), senior, RPTA
Department Awards
Developing Scholar
Jillian Ross, sophomore, RPTA, Cedar Falls, IA
Arthur F. Clayton Award
Deanna Beachy (Cedar Falls, IA), sophomore, RPTA
Outstanding Senior
Molly Rupert (Galesburg, IL), senior, RPTA
Anita H. Magafas Nontraditional Student Award
Nicki Ellis (Davenport, IA), senior RPTA
Outstanding Graduate Student
Jessica Dawson (Macomb, IL), graduate student, RPTA
Distinguished Service
Pat Sullivan from Peace of Earth Lodge, Rushville, IL
Graduate of the Last Decade Undergraduate (GOLD)
Krisilee Murphy, RPTA alumna, 2009
Graduate of the Last Decade Graduate (GOLD)
Michael Bradley, RPTA master's program alumnus, 2008
Excellence in Education
Michael McGowan, professor, RPTA
Outstanding Alumni
Laurie Anderson, RPTA alumnus, 1991
Learn more about the RTPA department at Western at www.wiu.edu/coehs/rpta/.
Posted By: Kolette Herndon (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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