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WIU College, Departmental and Honors Scholars Named

December 3, 2004

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MACOMB, IL - - Six students participating in Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s Fall 2004 Commencement Weekend Ceremonies Dec. 17-18 have received the highest recognition from their college faculty for their overall academic excellence by being named College Scholar and the Academic Honors Convocation Speaker.

The 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 Academic Honors Convocation in Western Hall will honor College Scholars, Departmental Scholars, Honors Scholars and graduate candidates who have earned academic distinction throughout their Western Illinois career. Students receive a medallion for each honor, which they wear at Commencement ceremonies. In addition, College Scholars received a $150 cash award from the WIU Foundation.

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Michelle Tufano (Lombard, IL), an Honors College student who is a law enforcement and justice administration major and Spanish minor, is the College of Education and Human Services Scholar, the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar and the Convocation speaker.

She said the purpose of her speech, “‘Looking Toward the Future Through the Eyes of the Past,’ is to convey to each person graduating that we have an obligation to take the lessons we have learned, in and out of the classroom, and make wise decisions in the future. My greatest hope is that each graduate will invest as much time as possible into the important relationships in their lives.”

Tufano, who said she is especially interested in juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice, has lived and worked in the residence halls as residence assistant, Inter-Hall Council representative and Hall Government executive board member. She also serves as a member of WesternÂ’s Student Judicial Board and was a co-chair of civic engagement programs. Tufano is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies and serves as an outreach leader for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

“The experienced and involved faculty made a large impact in my academics, and their involvement in our studies was a positive aspect of my experiences in the classroom,” Tufano said.

“It’s a great honor to be named the College Scholar; and I was especially pleased to be named the Convocation Speaker because I consider it a great responsibility to convey one of the last messages we as students will hear,” Tufano added.

Michelle is the daughter of Daniel and Catherine Tufano of Lombard (IL).

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Amanda Cadieu (Quincy, IL), who has a double major in computer science and mathematics, is the College of Business and Technology Scholar and the Computer Science Departmental Scholar. She was among a select group of 16 students nationwide to participate in an eight-week math research internship at the University of Washington in Summer 2004, sponsored by the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Cadieu (Cah DO) served as a student teacher this fall in a Western Illinois intermediate algebra course, has worked on campus three years as a University Computer Support Services lab assistant and has served as a Student Ambassador for Western. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honor society, Upsilon Pi Epsilon computer science honor society and Golden Key International Honour Society. Within the computer science department Cadieu received the Outstanding New Freshman Scholarship in 2000, the Award for Outstanding Sophomore in 2002 and the Student of Character Award in 2004. She also was the College of Business and TechnologyÂ’s nominee for this yearÂ’s prestigious statewide Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award.

“Being a College Scholar is such an honor. This award demonstrates that all my hard work has been noticed by faculty members in my department; and being nominated and receiving this honor is a magnificent symbol of respect from them,” Cadieu said.

Amanda, the daughter of Kathy and Gery Cadieu of Quincy (IL), will begin her graduate studies in math at Western next semester. She plans to go on to the University of Illinois in Fall 2005 to work toward a masterÂ’s degree in math and computer science.

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Bridget Levins (Quincy, IL), a communication major and marketing minor, is the College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar and the Communication Departmental Scholar.

She has served as treasurer of WesternÂ’s Lambda Pi Eta chapter of the national communication honor society and is a member of Golden Key International Honour Society. She received the communication departmentÂ’s Thompson Scholar Award this semester for academic excellence within the discipline. Levins has engaged in research emphasizing persuasive campaigns, interpersonal communication, marketing development and nonverbal communication. She is active in the Macomb and Quincy communities, volunteering with organizations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Illinois Veterans Home and Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Levins also was the College of Fine Art and CommunicationÂ’s nominee for this yearÂ’s Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized as the College Scholar,” Levins said. “I am honored that my hard work and dedication is being recognized among a group of outstanding students.”

Bridget is the daughter of Mark and Patricia Levins of Quincy (IL).

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Andrea Lucie (Macomb, IL) is the School of Extended Studies Scholar. She will earn the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in anthropology and Spanish. Lucie has been active in the Student Government Association, the International Friendship Club, VeteransÂ’ Club and WesternÂ’s Organization of Adult Students for Interaction and Support (OASIS). Lucie is president of Alpha Mu Gamma foreign languages society and a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Mortar Board and Nu Alpha honor societies. In Summer 2004 Lucie participated in WesternÂ’s Learning to Lead program, which included serving a two-month internship with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. She is active in community activities, including the American Legion and the League of Women Voters. She also has developed a PowerPoint presentation with pictures and information about her native culture, which she shares with students, seniors and community organizations.

A native of Santiago, Chile, Lucie said being named a College Scholar “is unbelievable.”

“Attending a four-year institution in my own country was an impossible dream due to my economic situation. This is a gift to my mom, Rosario Araya Espinoza. She is a single mother who struggled to raise me, and she deserves all my achievements,” Lucie said. “I love to learn and to be involved in school activities, and to be rewarded for that is just amazing.”

Andrea is married to Quin Lucie, a Macomb (IL) attorney. She will begin graduate classes in sociology at Western in January. In May 2005 the Lucies plan to relocate to North Carolina, where she will continue to work toward a master of arts in liberal studies at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her educational plans include earning a doctorate in anthropology or liberal studies.

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Charles McDonald (Robinson, IL), an agricultural business major and supply chain management minor, is WesternÂ’s Centennial Honors College Scholar and an Honors Scholar. He has served in leadership roles for WesternÂ’s Ag Business Club, Collegiate FFA and Campus Students for Christ while earning DeanÂ’s List honors each semester. McDonald, who has worked as a customer service representative for Heritage Equipment Company in Macomb since January 2003, intends to work in market research of new agricultural products and related marketing studies.

“It’s a great honor to be named the College Scholar due to the quality and caliber of my fellow students in the Centennial Honors College,” McDonald said. “It is very rewarding to receive an honor such as this.”

Charles, the son of Chuck and Susan McDonald of Robinson (IL), will marry Adrienna Polgar, a WIU Summer 2004 master of music graduate, Jan. 1, 2005.

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Shawna Richter (Trenton, IL), a journalism major with minors in creative writing and marketing, is the College of Arts and Sciences Scholar and the Journalism Departmental Scholar. During her junior year she served as the news editor of the Western Courier student newspaper and received a third place award for front page design by the Illinois College Press Association. A member of the Society for Professional Journalists, Richter has continued to write news stories for the Courier, and since September, she has worked as a clerk and obituary writer at the Burlington (IA) Hawk Eye. During her sophomore year Richter was a resident assistant on campus.

“It means a lot to me to be named the College Scholar. I was competing against strong candidates from every major in the College of Arts and Sciences, and I am sure they worked hard throughout their college years,” Richter said. “I had a lot of support from professors and Western staff throughout my career. They pushed me to want to succeed and do and best in everything.”

Shawna is the daughter of Gerald and Linda Richter of Trenton (IL).

Departmental and Honors Scholars recognized at the Academic Honors Convocation include the following, by county and hometown:















































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Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing

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