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College of Arts and Sciences Scholar Michael Viti
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College of Business and Technology Scholar Amy Johnson
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College of Education and Human Services Scholar Cynthia Peterson-Castro
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College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar Morgan Ann-Marie Miller
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Center for Global Studies Scholar Amy Everetts
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Centennial Honors College Scholar Laura Warner
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WIU Fall 2020 College, Departmental, Honors Scholars

December 10, 2020

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Six students graduating from Western Illinois University at the end of the Fall 2020 semester have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named a College Scholar.

The Fall 2020 Commencement and Scholars ceremonies, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremonies will be launched by college on WIU's Facebook page and YouTube channel at 10 a.m. Dec. 19.

Faculty in each of the University's four academic colleges; the Center for Global Studies 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.

College of Arts and Sciences Scholar
Michael Viti (New Cumberland, PA) graduates with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. He is also the Chemistry Departmental Scholar. Viti was a member of the Leatherneck football team and he was a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program. He is also an active member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Chi Alpha Sigma Scholar-Athlete Society, Rocky's Reach events, Phi Kappa Phi and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. After graduation, Viti plans to pursue his doctoral degree and to do research at a national laboratory to strengthen the connection between academia, industry and government. He is the son of Michael and Yanira Viti.

College of Business and Technology Scholar
Amy Johnson (Cambridge, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Agriculture Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar. Johnson is a member of the Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority, serving as chair of the service and philanthropy committees, and a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau and Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity, serving as secretary and the agricultural council representative for the organization. After graduation, Johnson plans to stay at WIU to complete her integrated agriculture MBA. She is the daughter of Rodney and Carol Johnson.

College of Education and Human Services Scholar
Cynthia Peterson-Castro (East Moline, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She is also the School of Education Departmental Scholar. Peterson-Castro previously served as the secretary for the Society of Educators on the Quad Cities campus, and has volunteered for science outreach events at WIU. She teaches Sunday school at her church, helping with fundraising events there, and is on the fundraising committee at the elementary school where she is doing her student teaching. After graduation, Peterson-Castro hopes to continue her education at WIU to earn her science endorsement and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. She is the daughter of Ed and Penny Peterson.


College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar
Morgan Ann-Marie Miller (Geneseo, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in music education, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Music Education Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar. Miller founded the Silver Keys clarinet choir and directed it for seven semesters, as well as the Throat Tones clarinet choir, was president of WIU's National Association for Music Education chapter, treasurer of WIU's Music Teachers National Association chapter, president and of the wind ensemble advisory board, steward of Mu Phi Epsilon, cymbal line section leader, principal clarinetist in WIU's orchestra and Wind Ensemble and winner of WIU's concerto competition. She also performs with the Galesburg Symphony Orchestra, the Macomb Municipal Band and the Maple City Band of Geneseo. After graduation, Miller plans to teach middle and/or high school band and pursue master's and doctoral degrees. She is the daughter of Tonya and Darian Miller.

Center for Global Studies Scholar
Amy Everetts (Davenport, IA) graduates with a bachelor's degree in general studies. She is also the Global Studies Departmental Scholar. Everetts has served on the staff-of-the-year committee and participated in the Quad Cities Professional Development Network and co-authored an article that appeared in the March 2020 issue of the Journal for Chiropractic Education. She is employed at Palmer College of Chiropractic, which has given her the chance to participate in multiple volunteer activities, including the United Way's Day of Caring and the Christmas Cheer Campaign, and she volunteers at her daughters' school. After graduation, Everetts plans to pursue a data analyst position within her current department (Institutional Research and Effectiveness). She is the daughter of Michael and Rebecca Everetts.

Centennial Honors College Scholar
Laura Warner (Sherrard, IL) graduates with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art education, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Art and Design Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar. At WIU, Warner worked with the First Wednesday program, was a kiln assistant, was coordinator of the WIU Community Art Program in Spring 2020, was an art education assistant and computer lab assistant and served as a guest artist at several local clubs and festivals and had an installation of her work at the student gallery in Garwood Hall on the WIU campus. She also had her work displayed in numerous other campus shows during her time on campus. After graduation, Warner said she plans to share her passion for art with students in the public and private sectors.

Other scholars include (by state, county and zip code):

Illinois
Adams
Quincy (62301) – Devan N. Grimm, Accountancy Departmental Scholar; Benjamin S. Scholz, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Bureau
Arlington (61312) Elliot P. Butler, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Carroll
Chadwich (61014) – Jade N. Grenoble, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Champaign
Tolono (61880) – Morgan A. Burwell, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Christian
Morrisonville (62546) – Anthony M. Yattoni, Meteorology Departmental Scholar
Taylorville (62568) – Shane Eggimann, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Cook
Chicago (60628) – Davora S. Buchanan, Sociology, Honors Scholar
Country Club Hills (60478) – Nia I. Bell, Exercise Science Departmental Scholar.
Elmwood Park (60707) – Aingel Matos-Avila, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Prospect Heights (60070) Samantha R. McJunkin, Psychology, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Rolling Meadows (60008) – Manuel Luna III, Honors Scholar, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Streamwood (60107) – Jimena Espinoza, Art Departmental Scholar.

DeKalb
Dekalb (60115) – Tony Tate, Communication, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Douglas
Atwood (61913) – Zachary A. Hingson, Fire Protection Services Departmental Scholar.

DuPage
Aurora (60504) – Alexander Wagley, Geographic Information Science Departmental Scholar.
Bartlett (60103) – Susan C. Arns, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
West Chicago (60185) – Kyle W. Arnold, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Fulton
Astoria (61501) – Alex Briney, Physics, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Canton (61520) – Miranda Brant, Physical Education K-12 Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Hancock
Burnside (62330) – Miranda D. Morrison, Elementary Education, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Plymouth (62367) – Brittany E. Twidwell, Agriculture, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Henderson
Stronghurst (61480) – Jamie L. Dowell, Elementary Education, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Henry
Cambridge (61238) – Amy M. Johnson, Agriculture Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Colona (61241) – Hunter A. Peterson, Information Systems, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Geneseo (61254) – Avery S. Dunker, Supply Chain Management Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Morgan Ann-Marie Miller, Music Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude; Bradley S. Schulte, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Kane
Hampshire (60140) – Elijah D. G. Packley, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar.

Kankakee
Bourbonnais - (60914) – Ashlyn R. Carnes, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Kendall
Bristoll (60512) – Abigail H. Tholen, Accountancy, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Minooka (60447) – Heather Bonde, Broadcasting and Journalism Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Oswego (60543) – Megan N. Rasmussen, Accountancy, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Knox
Galesburg (61401) – Gavin D. Horner, Computer Science Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Chad A. Johnson, Agriculture, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Lake
Barrington (60010) – Andrew Q. Wagner, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Buffalo Grove (60089) – Salma Pasillas, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Lake Bluff (60044) – Bryan M. Lunardi, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar.
Winthrop Harbor (60096) – Michael Sheppard, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, cum laude.

Macon
Mt. Zion (62549) – Madison Sphar, History, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Madison
Troy (62294) – Abigail R. Richter, Physical Education K-12, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude; Allison A. Richter, Special Education Departmental Scholar.

Mason
Havana (62644) – Tyler H. Rohlwing, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

McDonough
Bushnell (61422) – Kelly A. Joiner, Middle Level Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Macomb (61455) – Evan R. Baker, Communication Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Danielle S. Burlingame, Construction and Facilities Management Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic achievement, magna cum laude; Paul Butler, General Studies, Honors Scholar; Emily Graham, Social Work, Honors Scholar; Jacob W. Harvey, Social Work Departmental Scholar; Octavio Huerta, Biology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude; Bruce W. Johnson, Music, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Jennifer J. Lopez, Psychology, Honors Scholar; Ryan P. Olenek, Accountancy, Honors Scholar; Zakary T. Piper, Communication, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Carlyann Pyles, Foreign Languages and Cultures Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Julia I. Rivera, Sociology Departmental Scholar.
McHenry
Cary (60013) - Kate J. Birr, Hospitality Management, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Lake in the Hills (60156) – Ashley N. Peto, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

McLean
Bloomington (61701) – Jasmyn A. Thomas, Theatre Departmental Scholar.

Menard
Petersburg (62675) – Cicely A. McCain, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Mercer
Aledo (61231) – Jordan C. Monson, History Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Sherrard (61281) – Carmen Maria Bizarri, English Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude; Laura K. Warner, Art Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Morgan
Chapin (62628) – Marrion N. Ore, Hospitality Management, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Jacksonville (62650) – Olivia F. Kaufmann, Nutrition and Dietetics Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Peoria
Bartonville (61607) – Khrista N. Towle, Music, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Princeville (61559) – Nichole Roberts, Computer Science, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Rock Island
East Moline (61244) – Cynthia A. Peterson-Castro, Elementary Education Departmental Scholar; Erica J. Parrigin, English, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude; David W. Ross, Information Systems Departmental Scholar.
Moline (61265) – Lydia S. Olson, Music, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude, Damien N. Swords, Liberal Arts and Sciences, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Jacob D. Viaene, Elementary Education, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Rock Island (60201) – Sabrina I. Alt, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Schuyler
Rushville (62681) – Jael N. Wotsho, Biology Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar.

St. Clair
Fairview Heights (62208) – Frank S. Vollmer, Jr., Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Tazewell
East Peoria (61611) – Niki L. Nation, Anthropology Departmental Scholar and Honors Scholar.
Morton (61550) – Brianna G. Haas, Music, Honors Scholar.

Warren
Monmouth (61462) – Austin Maher, Spanish Education, Honors Scholar.
Roseville (61473) – Jeffrey D. Kinzer, Cyber Security Departmental Scholar.

Whiteside
Rock Falls (61071) – Olivia A. Workman, Elementary Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Sterling (61081) – Marisa N. Guernsey, Psychology, Honors Scholar.

Will
Crete (60417) – Clint B. Ratkovich, Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Mokena (60448) – Kaitlin Seiler, Graphic Communication, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Plainfield (60586) – Rebecca E. Langys, Computer Science, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Shorewood (60404) – Taylor Marshall, Music, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Winnebago
Rockton (61072) – Isaac M. Peyton, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.


Other States

Arizona
Peoria (85383) – Steven D. Gates, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Honors Scholar.

Indiana
Shelbyville (46176) – Casey V. Hendrickson, Emergency Management Departmental Scholar.

Iowa
Bettendorf (52722) – Hailey E. Duwa, Physical Education K-12, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Eldridge (52748) – Mary E. Keller, Communication, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Davenport (52802) – John D. Schilder, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Davenport (52804) – Amy S. Everetts, General Studies Departmental Scholar.
Davenport (52806) – Hannah M. Edwards, English, Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Keokuk (52632) – Lily N. Moser, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Departmental Scholar.
Wilton (52778) – Alan Millage, Management Departmental Scholar.

Minnesota
Minneapolis (55449) – Elijah J. Elkerton, Business Analytics Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Missouri
Kirksville (63501) – Angela B. Cabreza, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
St. Charles (63304) – Kaylyn D. Masiakiewicz, Music, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

St. Peters (63376) – Isabelle G. DeBold, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

St. Louis (63123) – Lauren Wood, Music, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Ohio
Cincinnati (45237) – Grayson W. Stoik, Communication, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Pennsylvania
New Cumberland (17070) – Michael A. Viti, Chemistry Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls (53051) – David E. Koier, Broadcasting Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar.

International

Columbia
Bogota – Paula A. Ramirez, Psychology, Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Germany
Rhineland-Palatinate – Paul Kirdorf, Finance Departmental Scholar, Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Spain
Barcelona - Laura Ballesteros Font, Psychology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude

The list of scholars can also be found at wiu.edu/centennial_honors_college/virtual_convocation.

Visit wiu.edu/commencement for more information.






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