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WIU Fall 2018 College, Departmental, Honors Scholars

December 10, 2018

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MACOMB, IL - Six students participating in Western Illinois University's Fall 2018 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies, Dec. 15 have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named College Scholars.

The 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 Academic Honors Convocation in Western Hall will honor College, Departmental and Honors scholars and students who have earned academic distinction throughout their Western Illinois University careers. Students will receive a medallion for each honor, which they will wear at Commencement ceremonies.

Faculty in each of Western Illinois University's four academic colleges; the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach and the Centennial Honors College select a graduating senior as the college's outstanding student. Students graduating as College Scholars have satisfied the criteria of excellence established by their individual academic college's faculty members. 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 designated 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

School of Music Honors Scholar Benjamin Adam Rogers (Savanna, IL) is the convocation speaker and will deliver "Be the Change You Want to See in the World." He will graduate with a bachelor's degree in music with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude, and is also an Honors Scholar.

College of Arts and Sciences Scholar

Owen Rohwer Huff (Macomb) graduates with a bachelor's degree in physics with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. He is also the Physics Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. He has academic interests in optics, materials science, condensed matter physics, geology and geophysics. He is a member of the Physics Club, the Geology Club, the Chess Club and the Blue Key Honor Society. He was a summer physics intern at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at the Los Alamos National Lab. After graduation, Huff plans to pursue a master's degree in geophysics. He is the son of Douglas and Roberta Huff.


Business and Technology Scholar

Mariah Danielle Peters (Blue Springs, MO) graduates with a bachelor's degree in accountancy, with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude. She is also the Accountancy Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. Peters is a part of WIU's women's golf team, the secretary of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), treasurer of Sigma Iota Epsilon and a member of Rocky's Reach, Connecks and is a volunteer at Macomb's Lincoln School. She has completed two summer accounting internships with Caterpillar. She plans to complete a Master's of Accountancy at WIU, then to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountants (CMA) exams before working in private accounting. She is the daughter of Max Peters and Lucinda Graham.

Education and Human Services Scholar

Chloe Cassandra Layne (St. Charles, MO) graduates with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration (LEJA), with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude. She is also the LEJA Departmental Scholar and an Honors Scholar. Layne is working on her graduate degree and has completed numerous legal research projects. She is a representative for Inter Hall Council, is vice president of BCA, works for Western EMS and is a member of the Mixed Martial Arts Club and the Student Judicial Board. She has numerous volunteer experiences, including helping with a Youth Day Carnival at the YMCA, Layne completed an internship with the Chicago Police Department – Detective Division and has a future goal of becoming a federal agent. She is the daughter of Mitch Layne and Gina Schleicher.

Fine Arts and Communication Scholar

Ty P. Barnes (Galesburg/Wataga, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in art with highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude. He is also the Art Departmental Scholar. Barnes has academic interests in graphic design, photo manipulation, art history, photography and print making. He is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, is the current village clerk of Wataga and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Force Recon Association. After graduation, Barnes plans to pursue a master's degree in instructional design and technology and possibly start his own graphic design business. His parents are Dannie Barnes (deceased) and C.J. Gillette.

Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach Scholar 

Lauri J. Graham (Milan, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in general studies. She is also the General Studies Departmental Scholar. She is a member of WIU's chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Great River Human Resource Association and the national chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. She has done volunteer work for Cards for Troops at the Rock Island Arsenal, the Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Moline, IL, the First Baptist Church of Silvis and at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. After graduation, she plans to begin a job search in the human resources field and begin her master's degree in business administration.

Centennial Honors College Scholar

Trisha Dawn Cramer (Macomb, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, with academic distinction, Cum Laude. She is also an Honors Scholar. Cramer has served as an Honors College Mentor in the University's Pre Honors Program and won first place for the WIU Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the Thomas E. Hel Undergraduate Research Day in Spring 2017. She has served as vice president of the Student Honors Association and the Student Education Association and treasurer of the Golden Key International Honours Society. She has done volunteer work with the Linus Blanket Project, Earth Day, blood drives and street clean-up, as well as helping with College of Education and Discover Western events. After graduation, Cramer plans to complete the requirements for middle school social studies licensure and then begin a master's degree in reading or educational studies, with a focus on language, culture and education. She is the daughter of Keith Cramer and Linda Cramer (deceased).


Illinois
Adams County
Quincy (62301)--Michelle E. Bingheim, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

Carroll County
Savanna (61074)--Benjamin Adam Rogers, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Cook County
Blue Island (60406)--Sean Howard, Political Science, Honors Scholar
Chicago (60615)--Geleesa K. Moore, Social Work, Social Work Department Scholar, Honors Scholar
Chicago (60623)--Ambria Williams, Social Work will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Chicago (60632)--Jamie Jeaneth Flores, Political Science, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Chicago (60634)--Erin Trybulec, Foreign Languages and Cultures, Foreign Languages And Literatures Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Chicago (60637)--Nashya T. Pollard, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Chicago (60641)--Mercedes Crystal West, Special Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Cicero (60804)--Sofia Fernandez, Social Work, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Elk Grove Village (60007)--Mark W. Lahtinen, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar
Melrose Park (60164)--Veronique Nicole Kunca, Art, B.F.A., Art, B.F.A. Department Scholar
Palatine (60074)--Megan Kleinschmidt, Bilingual/Bicultural Education, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Streamwood (60107)--Jessica Keszycki, Bilingual/Bicultural Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Willow Springs (60480)--Kathleen L. Yuris, Biology, Honors Scholar

DuPage County
Bartlett (60103)--Emily Ann Holmes, Accounting, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Lisle (60532)--Tomas E. Kuliavas, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Lomard (60148)--Evangelia Zguri, Political Science, Political Science Department Scholar, Honors Scholar
Villa Park (60181)--Kaylee Kristen Kramer, Special Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

Fulton County
Canton (61520)--Morgan Kumer, Accounting, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Canton (61520)--Sarah Elizabeth Saenz, Special Education, Special Education Department Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Canton (61520)--Bryce Hunter Taylor, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Canton (61520)--Wesley C. Utsinger, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

Hancock County
Basco (62313)--Katielyn M. Schafer, Elementary Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Carthage (62321)--Kylee Johnston, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Sutter (62373)--Aleetha L. Mulch, Agriculture, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Warsaw (62379)--Madison Harmon, Elementary Education, Elementary Education Department Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Kane County
Elgin (60124)--Laura Lynn Erickson, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Geneva (60134)--Megan Marie Solner, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
South Elgin (60177)--Alexandra Noel Berkman, Psychology, Psychology Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Kendall County
Yorkville (60560)--Rachel Frances Eaton, History, History Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

Knox County
Altona (61414)--Kaitlyn R. Cameron, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Galesburg (61401)--Ty P. Barnes, Art, College of Fine Arts and Communication College Scholar, Art Department Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Galesburg (61401)--Mackenzie M. Bates, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Knoxville (61448)--Evan Douglas Anderson, History, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

La Salle County
La Salle (61301)--Lisa Ann Hallen, Music, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Mendota (61342)--Lindsey Spriet, Physical Education, Physical Education Department Scholar
Ottawa (61350)--Emily Bryce Swain, English, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Lake County
Libertyville (60048)--James David Leese, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry Department Scholar, Honors Scholar

Livingston County
Forrest (61741)--Heidi Nicole Maier, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Macon County
Decatur (62526)--Sierra Simone Hill, Philosophy, Philosophy Department Scholar, Honors Scholar
Niantic (62551)--Randy C. Phipps, Agriculture, Agriculture Department Scholar

McDonough County
Bushnell (61422)--Austin M. Hoyle, Computer Science, Computer Science Department Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Macomb (61455)--Dillon L. Austin, History, Honors Scholar
Macomb (61455)--Zachary Robert Burlingame, Middle Level Education, Middle Level Education Department Scholar
Macomb (61455)--Trisha Dawn Cramer, Elementary Education, Centennial Honors College College Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Macomb (61455)--David Glenn, Physical Education K-12, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Macomb (61455)--Owen Rohwer Huff, Physics, College of Arts and Sciences College Scholar, Physics Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Macomb (61455)--Erin Janine Miller, Sociology, Sociology Department Scholar
Macomb (61455)--Edgar R. Rodriguez, Emergency Management, Emergency Management Department Scholar

Menard County
Petersburg (62675)--Laken Crystal Burnett, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Peoria County
Peoria (61607)--Tyler Steven Guthrie, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Rock Island County
Milan (61264)--Lauri J. Graham, General Studies, School of Global Education and Outreach College Scholar, General Studies Department Scholar
Moline (61265)--Nathan Lee Smith, Supply Chain Management, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Rock Island (61201)--Alexia M. Avena, English, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Rock Island (61201)--Stephanie Pilar Avena, Bilingual/Bicultural Education, Bilingual/English As A Second Language Education Department Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Rock Island (61202)--Aaron Kyle Deneckere, History, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Rock Island (61201)--Abigail Schroeder, Elementary Education will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Sangamon County
Pleasant Plains (62677)--Tess Nicole Tyler, English, English Department Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Schuyler County
Rushville (62681)--Matthew Keith McAnally, Religious Studies, Religious Studies Department Scholar
Rushville (62681)--Miranda Donna Taylor, History, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Rushville (62681)--Rebecca Lindsey Worthington, Biology, Biology Department Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Stark County
La Fayette (61449)--William Gabriel Richard Hovendon, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Tazewell County
East Peoria (61611)--Robert William Betz, Mathematics, Mathematics Department Scholar Morton (61550)--Austin P. Weyland, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Tremont (61568)--Justin Michael Doty, Computer Science, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude
Washington (61571)--Jessica Lynn Quinn, Anthropology, Anthropology Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Vermilion County
Indianola (61850)--Gunner Fletcher, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Whiteside County
Rock Falls (61071)--Sarah Elizabeth McCallister, Elementary Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Sterling (61081)--Jenna Michelle Brown, English, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Sterling (61081)--Mary Kathryn Gassman, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude

Will County
Manhattan (60442)--Amber Murray, Communication, Honors Scholar
Naperville (60564)--Joseph Alfred Furrer, Fire Protection Services, Fire Protection Services Department Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Naperville (60564)--Madison Nicole Thielsen, Music, Music Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude


Iowa
Argyle (52619)--Danita Janelle Wheatley, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Bettendorf (52722)--Rachael L. Pohl, Management, Management Department Scholar
Bettendorf (52722)--Nicholas S. Rath, Information Systems, Information Systems Department Scholar
Cedar Rapids (52411)--Kathryn Lynn Ferguson, Theatre and Construction Management, Theatre, B.A.and Construction Management Department Scholars, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Davenport (52803)--Shawna T. Lange, Communication, Communication Department Scholar
Davenport (52804)—Angela M. Bernauer, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Management Department Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
Davenport (52804)--Harley Morgan Menke, Communication, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Dike (50624)--Ashley Anne Dumler, Speech Pathology And Audiology, Speech Pathology And Audiology Department Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude
LaClaire (52753)--Cassondra Jean Billingsley, Marketing, Marketing Department Scholar,will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

Indiana
Terre Haute (47802)--Kelsey L. Marlow, Psychology, Honors Scholar
Thorntown (46071)--Riggs Baxter, Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology Department Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

Michigan
Saint Charles (48655)--Samuel Newill, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, Honors Scholar

Missouri
Blue Springs (64015)--Mariah Danielle Peters, Accountancy, College of Business and Technology College Scholar, Accountancy Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
Saint Charles (63304)--Amy Lynn Borgstede, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration, Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude
St. Charles (63304)--Chloe Cassandra Layne, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, College of Education and Human Services College Scholar, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration Department Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude

New Mexico
Albuquerque (87114)--Haley Renae Richards, Broadcasting, Broadcasting Department Scholar

Foreign
Saudi Arabia
Qatif (31911)--Reda Mohammed Alhubail, Engineering Technology, Honors Scholar




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