University News

WIU Fall 2021 College, Departmental, Honors Scholars

December 1, 2021

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MACOMB, IL -- Six students, who will complete their degree requirements in Fall 2021, have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named a College Scholar. They will be recognized at the May 2022 Commencement ceremonies.

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 Scholars

College of Arts and Sciences Scholar
Erin Anderson (Bettendorf, IA) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Cultures, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar and the Foreign Languages and Cultures Departmental Scholar. Anderson is an access services student assistant at Malpass Library, and a volunteer for American Reads. She is also part of the Throat Tones Clarinet Choir and is a volunteer Spanish translator/interpreter for the WIU Speech Language Hearing Clinic. She has also served as a volunteer at the Family Museum in Bettendorf, IA. After graduation, Anderson plans to pursue a master's degree in Library and Information Science and in Translating and Interpreting Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Anderson is the daughter of Brett and Amy Anderson.

College of Business and Technology Scholar
Alicia Flowers (Curryville, MO) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture with a teaching certification, and with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar. She has served in leadership roles in the Sigma Alpha professional agriculture sorority; the Collegiate FFA/PAS/AgEd; AgVocators recruitment team; and Agricultural Council, as well as a member of Agricultural Mechanics; the National Society of Leadership and Success; the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and worked as a laboratory assistant in the agriculture mechanics lab on campus, working with hydroponic lettuce production. She is also an alumni member of the national FFA organization; and a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association; the National Council for Technical Education; the Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education; the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, as well as a conservation staff volunteer and hunter education instructor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. After graduation, she will become the agricultural instructor and FFA advisor at Louisiana High School in Louisiana, MO. She is the daughter of Jeff and Linda Flowers.

College of Education and Human Services Scholar
Carissa Moore (Winchester, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in social work, with a minor in music business, with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar and the Social Work Departmental Scholar. At WIU, Moore was involved in Sigma Alpha Iota; the National Society of Collegiate Scholars; the National Society of Leadership and Success; the social work Phi Alpha Honors Organization; and will join the Golden Key International Honor Society. She has also been a member of WIU's Concert Choir for four years, as well as WIU's All Volunteer Effort (WAVE), and the annual Haunted Housing group on campus. She is currently interning at the WIU Infant and Preschool Center and works at Wesley Village in Macomb. After graduation, Moore plans to pursue a master's degree. She is the daughter of Matthew Moore.

College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar
Abigayle Pedigo (Bolingbrook, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Music Education, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar. On campus, Pedigo is a member of WIU's chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, the University Singers and Concert Choir. She also acted as the uTech lab manager for the Olson Computer Lab. Currently completing her student teaching, Pedigo has been volunteering at her church in her hometown, and has rejoined her church's choir. After graduation, Pedigo plans to teach in a public school system in Illinois. She is the daughter of Patty Compton and Clinton Pedigo.

University Libraries
David Peterson, Jr. (Monmouth, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in General Studies. On campus, Peterson is a member of the SALUTE Honor Society, which is for WIU veterans and active military members. Peterson works for the BNSF Railway, where he is a member of the BRAVE Committee, which brings active duty military and veteran families together within the country, and provides volunteer opportunities and support for local military institutions, as well as participating in raising awareness of military-related issues. He is also a member of the Front-Line Supervisor Council with BNSF Railway and a member of the American Legion Post 136 in Monmouth. Within the post, Peterson has held the roles of sergeant of arms, adjutant for the Sons of the American Legion and the post's firing squad. After graduation, Peterson hopes to use his degree to advance with his current employer.

Centennial Honors College Scholar
Oluwafikayo Adeboye (of Lincolnwood, IL) will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a member of the Centennial Honors College. Adeboye has worked in the laboratory of Chemistry Assistant Professor Mette Soendergaard, as well as served with the African Student Association; the Pre-Professional Health Club; the WIU Food Pantry; and the Wesley Foundation. She is also part of a program at McDonough District Hospital, where she shadows physicians, observes their interaction with patients and learns basic clinical skills. After graduation, Adeboye plans to attend medical school with hopes of becoming a gynecologist. She is the daughter of Olaide Adeboye.

The Fall 2021 Convocation speaker is Andrew Hockenberry, of Roseville, IL. His speech is titled "The Path That Shapes Us."

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

Illinois
Adams
Quincy (62305) Mercedes R. Wittenbrink, Art (BFA) Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Cook
Arlington Heights (60004) Mikolaj Balawender, Chemistry Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Bellwood (60104) Omari Patrice Williams, Economics Departmental Scholar.
Chicago (60622) Samuel Marcelo Correa, Political Science Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Chicago (61629) Anthony Gomez, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Elk Grove Village (60007) Michael A. Clausen, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Evanston (60201) Destiny Monae Kerr, Marketing Departmental Scholar.

DeKalb
DeKalb (60550) Tessa J. Barker, General Studies Departmental Scholar.

DuPage
Naperville (60564) Elizabeth R. Bonnstetter, Psychology, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Naperville (60565) Ryan S. Goode, Fire Protection Services Departmental Scholar.

Fulton
Cuba (61427) Jareca Teresa Jones, Elementary Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Fairview (61432) Bradley Tessier, Engineering Technology, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Lewistown (61542) Tayler R. Embree, Elementary Education, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Hancock
Hamilton (62341) Jordan Meierotto, Art (BA) Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Plymouth (62367) Shaleigh Dawn Covert, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Henry
Colona (61241) Kaitlyn Marie Pemble, Accountancy Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, Magna Cum Laude.
Geneseo (61254) Nicholas Widger, Psychology Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Kewanee (61443) Kylie A. Robbins, Marketing, Centennial Honors Scholar.

Jo Daviess
Stockton (61085) Gabriel J. Ertmer, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Kane
Aurora (60506) Aurelia Garcia, Supply Chain Management Departmental Scholar.
Hampshire (60140) Erika O. Gonzalez, Music, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Saint Charles (60174) Elise Marie Cangro, Music Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Kendall
Minooka (60447) Sarah Jo Lind, Psychology, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

LaSalle
Marseilles (61341) Kenady A. Drake, Psychology, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Logan
Lincoln (62656) Carson C. Hoagland, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Centennial Honors College.

Madison
Godfrey (62035) Brianna A. Walsh, Agriculture, Centennial Honors Scholar.

Mason
Havana (62644) Charissa J. Friend, Middle Level Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

McDonough
Blandinsville (61420) Trenton Kennelly, Supply Chain Management, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Macomb (61455) Penny L. Dingus, Elementary Education, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Anna Lucken, Anthropology Departmental Scholar.
Sciota (61475) Peyton R. Bowman, Agriculture, will graduation with academic distinction, cum laude.

McLean
Bloomington (61704) Kathryn Upton, Sociology Departmental Scholar.

Mercer
Sherrard (61281) Sydney J. Erichsen, Elementary Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Morgan
Chapin (62628) Gracie Richardson, History, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Ogle
Forreston (61030) Samuel Barkalow, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Peoria
Chillicothe (61523) Kasandra N. Kerr, Communication Departmental Scholar.
Dunlap (61525) Madison C. Henson, Foreign Languages and Cultures/Spanish Education Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors College, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Peoria (61604) Thomas P. Dubre-Schloz, History Departmental Scholar.
Peoria (61607) Jordan B. Guthrie, Biology, Centennial Honors Scholar.

Rock Island
Andalusia (61232) Athena M. Bruner, Mathematics, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Coal Valley (61240) Justin Kelly, Marketing, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Milan (61264) Richard C. Landi, Accountancy, Centennial Honors Scholar.
Moline (61265) Martina TL Garrison, Information Systems Departmental Scholar; Brody D. Lyall, Physical Education Departmental Scholar.
Silvis (61282) Elizabeth J. Wozniak, Management Departmental Scholar.

Sangamon
Springfield (62702) James Robinson, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Springfield (62707) Amanda Rae Buch, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Schuyler
Rushville (62681) Erica Marie Taylor, Middle Level Education Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction magna cum laude; Matthew Robert Wright, Agriculture Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Stephenson
Freeport (61032) Jenna N. Skarlupka, Broadcasting and Journalism Departmental Scholar.
Lena (61048) Rachael M. Wybourn, Special Education Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Warren
Alexia (61412) Amanda S. Willett, Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar.
Monmouth (61462) Mackenzie Olivia Ricco, English Education Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Roseville (61473) Andrew J. Hockenberry, Biology Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar.

Will
Plainfield (60585) Joshua A. Murillo, Centennial Honors Scholar,
Plainfield (60586) Parker T. Govern, Computer Science Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.

Other states:
Iowa
Bettendorf – Nathan Wheeler, Accountancy, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Davenport – Emma Clark, Physics, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Drakesville – Brittney Rysdam, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Eldridge – Seth L. Meyer, Supply Chain Management, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Fort Madison – Samantha J. Cox, Psychology, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Indiana
Indianapolis – Hannah J. Bullock, Musical Theatre Departmental Scholar.

Missouri
Republic - Mary E. Bjelica, Mathematics Departmental Scholar, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.

Wisconsin
Milwaukee – Michael A. Howell, Finance Departmental Scholar, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude; Adriana L. Grams, Forensic Chemistry Departmental Scholar, Centennial Honors Scholar.

International
Japan, Takegahana, Matsudo – Daisuke Otsuka, Exercise Science, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.

Saudi Arabia – Abdullah Ibraheem Bajnade, Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.



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