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Lily Blouin, Academic Honors Convocation Speaker, Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, Highest Academic Distinction-Summa Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Jennifer Leonhard, College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, Honors Scholar, Highest Academic Distinction-Summa Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Kaitlin Delaney, College of Business and Technology Scholar, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar, Highest Academic Distinction-Summa Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Laura Hofer, College of Education and Human Services Scholar, Special Education Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, High Academic Distinction-Magna Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Chelsey Maroney, College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar, Music (B.M.) Departmental Scholar, Highest Academic Distinction-Summa Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Lindsay Henderson, Centennial Honors College Scholar, Honors Scholar, Highest Academic Distinction-Summa Cum Laude (WIU/VPC Photo)
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Kathy Artis, School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar (WIU/VPC Photo)
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College, Departmental and Honors Scholars

May 13, 2011

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MACOMB, IL -- Six students participating in Western Illinois University's 2011 Spring Commencement Ceremonies May 13-14 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, and one student has been selected as the Academic Honors Convocation Speaker.

The 2 p.m. Friday, May 13 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 undergraduate 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.

Departmental scholars are the outstanding degree candidates 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 in the general education curriculum, a major, or both, and has achieved a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Commencement Marshals are selected for academic achievement within their majors. Marshals lead the graduates and stage party from the processional through the recessional.

ACADEMIC HONORS CONVOCATION SPEAKER
Graduating senior Lily Anna Blouin (Anchorage, AK), the Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar who will graduate with highest academic distinction (Summa Cum Laude), is the Academic Honors Convocation speaker. She will speak to her classmates about "An Awfully Big Adventure."

Blouin played in several Summer Music Theatre and University Theatre productions, as well as theatre's annual Bard in the Barn unrehearsed-style Elizabethan plays. As a junior, she was named the Maughan and Dorothy McMurdie Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical Theatre Scholarship recipient, and Blouin was one of seven WIU finalists in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) student auditions. She was initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi as a junior, and she served as the coordinator for Western's Youth Performing Arts Series (YPAS). Last November, Blouin went to China with theatre Professor Jeannie Woods' Starry Night Repertory Theatre, performing in "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)." They were invited to perform the Shakespeare spoof at the Eastern Comedy Festival in China, where they presented the comedic play at the Academy Theatre of the Shanghai Theatre Academy and in a professional theatre in Beijing.

She is also serving as a Commencement Marshal.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SCHOLAR
Jennifer R. Leonhard (Rushville, IL) is the College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, an Honors Scholar in Psychology and will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. She graduates with a B.S. degree in psychology, with a minor in neuroscience.

Leonhard served in the First Year Experience (FYE) program as a peer mentor for psychology Assistant Professor Hiroko Sotozaki's Introduction to Psychology class. She has worked with Associate Professor Sandra McFadden as a teaching assistant for Psychology 223, "Statistics for Behavioral Sciences," where her tasks included posting information on WesternOnline, grading, managing the gradebook and tutoring students. Leonhard has also tutored for WIU chemistry Professor Jenq-Kuen Huang's "General Chemistry II" class. She served as the vice president for the WIU chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and she served as a team leader for the crisis intervention telephone line, called Hotline.

Leonhard said she plans to go on to graduate school in genetic counseling. Her future goals include working as a researcher or clinical genetic counselor in a fertility or neurogenetics clinic.

Jennifer, who is serving as a Commencement Marshal, is the daughter of Leo and Kathy Leonhard of Rushville.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLAR
Kaitlin Delaney (Jacksonville, IL) is the College of Business and Technology Scholar, the Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar and will graduate with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude.

She has been an active member of the WIU chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), serving this year as president and previously as vice president. The 2009-2010 chapter of SHRM, for which she had a leadership role, earned a superior merit award from the national organization. In Summer 2010, Delaney was awarded a human resource internship at St. John's Hospital in Springfield (IL). She continued interning at St. John's throughout the 2011 spring semester. Delaney has been involved in many volunteer and fundraising events, including blood drives, box tops for education, collecting cans for animal shelters and more.

Her plans for the future include earned a master's degree in human resource management.

Kaitlin, who is a Commencement Marshal, is the daughter of Robert and Amy Delaney of Jacksonville.


COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
Laura D. Hofer (Sherrard, IL) is the College of Education and Human Services Scholar, the Special Education Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. She graduates with a B.S. degree in Special Education with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude.

Hofer completed the dual education certification program at Western, while majoring in special education and elementary education. She will receive endorsements in language arts and social sciences. Hofer has been an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Student Education Association (SEA), which she served as secretary. She has been a leader in the state organization, Illinois Education Association (IEA) Student Program, for the past three years; and the past two years she is among seven students statewide elected to represent education students in Illinois. She currently serves the IEA Student Program as the public relations coordinator. In 2005, Hofer was named a state of Illinois Golden Apple Scholar, which led her to serve two summers working in Chicago inner-city schools. Summers, she has traveled to Australia and twice to China as a volunteer counselor and teacher.

Hofer, who is a member Kappa Delta Phi, Golden Key International Honour Society and Phi Kappa Phi, plans to teach and to pursue a master's degree in counseling. Later, she said she would like to earn a doctorate.

Laura is the daughter of Gary and Rebecca Hofer of Sherrard.

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION SCHOLAR
Chelsea Rose Maroney (Arlington Heights, IL) is the College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar and the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Music Departmental Scholar. She graduates with a B.M. degree in music education and with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. She will sing the National Anthem at the Honors Convocation and at each Commencement ceremony held in Western Hall May 13-14.

Maroney has been a member of Western's nationally recognized University Singers, the Madrigal Singers, Opera Workshop, Opera-On-Wheels and Opera Mainstage. She is a member of MENC: The National Association for Music Education; Music Teachers National Association (MTNA); American Choral Directors Association (ACDA); and Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity. She has also worked at the University and served as a vocal intern at First Christian Church in Macomb.

In addition to finding a music education position, Maroney is auditioning for shows around Chicago. She has applied for an internship at the Light Opera Works Theatre Company (Evanston, IL) for the summer and plans to attend graduate school for vocal performance.

Chelsey, who is a Commencement Marshal, is the daughter of John and Nanci Maroney of Arlington Heights.

CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLAR
Lindsay Jane Henderson (Pontiac, IL) is the Centennial Honors College Scholar and an Honors Scholar who graduates with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. She will graduate with a B.A. degree in mathematics and a minor in forensic chemistry.

Henderson worked with mathematics Associate Professor Robert Mann for an Honors project in which she examined the past 10 years of math test results from the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) and the Prairie State Achievement Examination (PSAE). She presented her research of trends and the evaluation of how the results correlate with the goals of the No Child Left Behind act at a teachers' conference and at Western's Undergraduate Research Day. Mann and she have collaborated on a professional paper, which they hope to have published.

She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, Mu Kappa Epsilon and Phi Eta Sigma; has served on the College of Arts and Sciences student council; and was an assistant for the Northwestern Illinois Math and Science Partnership (NIMS). Henderson served as a Mathematics 099 teacher's assistant for two semesters and also was the vice president of Western's women's intramural bowling team.

Lindsay, who is a Commencement Marshal, is the daughter of William and Judy Henderson of Pontiac.

SCHOOL OF DISTANCE LEARNING, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND OUTREACH
Kathy J. Artis (Camden, IL), the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar, will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies (BGS) and with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude. She has served the chief clerk in WIU's Non-Traditional, now Distance Education, office since she was hired in 2005. Previously, Artis had more than 30 years of retail sales employment.

Artis started her college education in 1974, following high school, but stopped for nearly 20 years to raise her family, then worked toward her associate's degree taking night and online courses at Spoon River College. She started in Western's BGS degree program (then called the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree program) in 2006. She said after researching the department and familiarizing herself with its mission and purpose, she learned she was "exactly the type of student best served by the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree program."

She has served Camden Township as town clerk since 1995, and was the first female township official elected. Artis is also active in her church. She said she will use the summer to decide if or when she will begin studies toward a master's degree.

Departmental Scholars and Honors Scholars

ADAMS COUNTY
Fowler (62338) – Michael Joseph Weiman, Exercise Science Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Loraine (62349) – Heather J. Hall, Finance Departmental Scholar

Quincy (62305) – Laura Elizabeth Susan Gramke, (B.A.) Art Departmental Scholar;
Laura Christine Sorrill, Health Services Management Departmental Scholar;
Ashlie N. Goerlich Clinical Laboratory Science Departmental Scholar; Cassandra Nickell, Music, Honors Scholar

BUREAU COUNTY
La Moille (61330) – Michelle R. Schallhorn, Athletic Training Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar

COOK COUNTY
Arlington Heights (60004) – Chelsea Rose Maroney, Music Departmental Scholar,
Chicago (60655) – John Patrick Felker, 3900 block of W. 102nd Place, Political Science Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Des Plaines (60018) – Jennifer Stutler, Meteorology, Honors Scholar
Elk Grove Village (60007) – Kevin Roberts, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Lansing (60438) – Francisco Garcia, Mathematics, Honors Scholar
Lemont (60439) – Kristin Kulasik, Communication Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Oak Park (60304) – Elizabeth Marie Cheney, Music Departmental Scholar
Amanda Bergmann, Journalism, Honors Scholar
Orland Hills (60487) – Steven Bowen, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

Palatine (60074) – Derek Michael Malley, Marketing Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar;
Nicole Maila, Mathematics Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar;
Justin Venturini, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

Palos Heights (60463) – Edward Wasilewski, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Palos Hills (60465) – Margaret Hope Quist, English, Honors Scholar,
Schaumburg (60194) – Janet Meagan McCarthy, Social Work Departmental Scholar
Streamwood (60107) – Sean Harring, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

DEWITT COUNTY
Farmer City (61842) – Rylee Russell, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

DOUGLAS COUNTY
Newman (61942) – Rebecca H. Joines, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar,

DUPAGE COUNTY
Carol Stream (60188) – Samantha Kinsey Gajda, Communication, Honors Scholar,
Darien (60561) – Keri Ann Plica, Biology, Honors Scholar,
Downers Grove (60515) – Kevin Patrick Sheehan, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Lombard (60148) – Eric Haimann, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar,
Naperville (60563) – Philip Andrew Watson, Meteorology, Honors Scholar; Amanda Williamson, Family and Consumer Science, Honors Scholar
Wheaton (60189) – Margaret M. Jones, Economics, Honors Scholar

FULTON COUNTY
Canton (61520) – Kaley Augusta Rowe, Graphic Communication Departmental Scholar and Journalism Departmental Scholar

HANCOCK COUNTY
Carthage (62321) – Kristianna Lorenz, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar;

HENRY COUNTY
Cambridge (61238) – Anna Marie Evert, Exercise Science, Honors Scholar
Galva (61434) – Jordan Michael Price, Economics, Honors Scholar
Geneseo (61254) – Caleb Robertson, Exercise Science, Honors Scholar

KENDALL COUNTY
Oswego (60543) – Elliot Drake, Philosophy, Honors Scholar

LA SALLE COUNTY
La Salle (61301) – Collin S. VanBuren, Biology Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Mendota (61342) – Brandon William Scheppers, History Departmental Scholar

LAKE COUNTY
Lake Zurich (60047) – Brandon James Chartier, Sociology Departmental Scholar
Round Lake Beach (60073) – Ellece Smith, Biology, Honors Scholar
Waukegan (60087) – Nicholas E. King, Network Technologies Departmental Scholar

LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Pontiac (61764) – Lindsay Jane Henderson, Mathematics, Honors Scholar;
Amanda Meiners, Mathematics, Honors Scholar

LOGAN COUNTY
Lincoln (62656) – Clark Evan Schoonover, Biology, Honors Scholar

MACON COUNTY
Decatur (62526) – Bethany Koga, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration, Honors Scholar
Macon (62544) – Jacob Ward, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar,

MACOUPIN COUNTY
Hettick (62649) – Matthew William Johnson, Graphic Communication, Honors Scholar,
Staunton (62088) – Courtney Stoverink, Accountancy, Honors Scholar; Jacob Rhodes, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

McDONOUGH COUNTY
Blandinsville (61420) – Aaron M. Snowden, Philosophy Departmental Scholar

Macomb (61455) – Christopher Robert Fox, Manufacturing Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar;
Kenneth Crosby, Elementary Education Departmental Scholar;
Loana Luz Deveraux, Bilingual/Bicultural Education Departmental Scholar;
Carlo Joseph Daniels, Instructional Design and Technology Departmental Scholar;
Adam Tyler Miller, Religious Studies Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar;
Kirsten R. Anderson, Women's Studies Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar;
Andrew J. Ward, Physical Education Departmental Scholar;
Sheila L. Kuck, Anthropology Departmental Scholar;
Fawzyah Boukari, Accountancy, Honors Scholar;
Eboney Chambers, Special Education, Honors Scholar;
Jeanly Crowe, Special Education, Honors Scholar;
Caitlin Salmon, Graphic Communication, Honors Scholar;
Kelsey Harms, Computer Science, Honors Scholar;
Kyla Keefauver, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar;
Kathleen McGowan, Music, Honors Scholar;
Tennessee (62374) – Wyatt Dale Baxter, Emergency Management Departmental Scholar

McHENRY COUNTY
Algonquin (60102) – Amanda Alise Beckman, Interdisciplinary Studies Departmental Scholar
Cary (60013) – Deborah Abraham, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Fox River Grove (60021) – Cavan J. Gray, Psychology Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Huntley (60142) – Brittany Palmer, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration, Honors Scholar
Marengo (60152) – Brent Sloat, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
McHenry (60051) – Jennifer A. Barnes, Spanish Departmental Scholar

McLEAN COUNTY
Bloomington (61704) – Michael Stine McGraw, Supply Chain Management Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar;
Kristen Marie Palmer, Recreation, Park and Tourism administration Departmental Scholar; Carianna Cottone, Exercise Science Departmental Scholar

MENARD COUNTY
Petersburg (62675) – William J. Bradley, Economics Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar
Oakford (62673) – Adam Brown, English Honors Scholar
MERCER COUNTY
Aledo (61231) – John Alfred Boswell, Family and Consumer Science,
Sherrard (61281) – Laura Diane Hofer, Special Education Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar, ; Gina M. Boehmer, Communication Sciences,
Viola (61486) – Derek A. Bloomfield, Engineering Departmental Scholar

MORGAN COUNTY
Jacksonville (62650) – Kaitlin Victoria Delaney, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar

PEORIA COUNTY
Glasford (61533) – Kayla Duffield, Biology, Honors Scholar

PUTNAM COUNTY
Granville (61326) – Nicole Hrasch, Psychology, Honors Scholar

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
East Moline (61244) – Anna Elizabeth Lopez, Accountancy Departmental Scholar;
Milan (61264) – Deborah Ann Waymack, Nursing Departmental Scholar; Breyanna Chapman, Biology, Honors Scholar;
Moline (61265) – Adam R. Smith, Management Departmental Scholar; Courtney Marie Knobloch, Elementary Education, Honors Scholar
Port Byron (61275) – Brett Hockman, Management, Honors Scholar
Silvis (61282) – Martin Lee Buck, Meteorology Departmental Scholar; Bryan Jeffery Thompson, Liberal Arts and Sciences Departmental Scholar

SANGAMON COUNTY
Auburn (62615) – Elizabeth Unsworth, Social Work, Honors Scholar,
Chatham (62629) – Nicole Lynne Kuchar, Elementary Education, Honors Scholar;
Springfield (62711) – Caitlin Rose Barrett, English Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar; Heather Buchanan, Biology, Honors Scholar

SCHUYLER COUNTY
Rushville (62681) – Erin Marie Downs, Communication Sciences and Disorders Departmental Scholar; Sarah Adams, Religious Studies, Honors Scholar

SCOTT COUNTY
Winchester (62694) – Jordan Lee Haney, Agriculture Departmental Scholar,


TAZEWELL COUNTY
Green Valley (61534) – Ashlyn Myers, Family and Consumer Science, Honors Scholar
Pekin (61554) – Kathleen Kennedy, Supply Chain Management, Honors Scholar
Washington (61571) – Taylor Jae Ruder, Exercise Science, Honors Scholar,

WARREN COUNTY
Monmouth (61462) – Elizabeth Ruth Terpening, Broadcasting Departmental Scholar; Eric Kyle Terpening, Physics Departmental Scholar

WHITESIDE COUNTY
Morrison (61270) – April Suzanne Fuegen, Family and Consumer Sciences Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar; Brian Keith Oostenryk, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Sterling (61081) – Kelsey Anne Boyd, Psychology, Honors Scholar,

WILL COUNTY
Channahon (60410) – Katelyn Kratz, Music, Honors Scholar
Frankfort (60423) – Ashley Lynn Sinkewich, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar
Homer Glen (60491) – Matthew Cuello, Biology, Honors Scholar,
Joliet (60431) – Caitlin C. Henry, Psychology, Honors Scholar,
Romeoville (60446) – Amberpearl Cruz, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Cherry Valley (61016) – Beckie Anne Laye, Special Education, Honors Scholar,
Machesney Park (61115) – Karissa Leree Munger, Economics Departmental Scholar,
Rockford (61104) – Brianna R. Norris, Chemistry Departmental Scholar,
Roscoe (61073) – Nicole Raddatz, English, Honors Scholar

OUT OF STATE
IOWA
Burlington (52601) – Kory D. Wagenbach, Construction Management Departmental Scholar
Keokuk (52632) – Gabriel Jason Gray, Computer Science Departmental Scholar
Montrose (52639) – Deonna Lee Perkins, Forensic Chemistry Departmental Scholar

ALASKA
Anchorage (99507) – Lily Anna Blouin, Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar

MISSORI
Osage Beach (65065) – Chelsey Nelson, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

INTERNATIONAL
South Korea
Seongnam - Kihyun Kwon, Art (B.F.A.) Departmental Scholar

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