University News

WIU Students Named to Who's Who

December 12, 2001

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MACOMB, IL - - Thirty-one Western Illinois University juniors, seniors and graduate students recently were named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Selection to Who's Who is based on scholarship, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities and overall service to the University.

Students include, by county and city:

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
CHAMPAIGN (61820) - Dawn Etchason, a junior law enforcement and justice administration major and human resource management minor, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors; the WIU Investigators Club; the Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Friends Association; and has served on several Christian mission trips. She transferred to Western from Parkland College, where she was an honors student and vice president for Parkland College Colours. Dawn is the daughter of John and Debra Etchason.

COOK COUNTY
ALSIP (60803) - Mary Kachnowski, a senior sociology major with minors in religious studies and women's studies, was president of Western's Anthropology and Sociology Club and vice president of the Women's Studies Student Association. Kachnowski serves on the faculty and student councils, is the founder of the Feminist Film Club at Western and has volunteered with several charitable organizations. Mary is the daughter of Jerry and Linda Kachnowski.

CHICAGO (60613) - Phiroz M. Hoda, a health education graduate student originally from India, is president of the WIU Muslim Students Association and a member of the Minority Graduate Students Association and Eta Sigma Gamma Pi chapter. Leadership positions he has held include trustee of the Parliament of World Religions, Chicago; executive board of the India Development Group, England; and a member of the Institutes of Heath Services Management, England. Phiroz is the son of M.S. Hoda and Sabera Khatoon of the 600 block of Irving Park Road.

CHICAGO (60628) - Nicole Cavin, a senior special education major, was WIU's 2000 Homecoming Queen, serves as the scholastic committee co-chair for the Black Student Association, has been president of the Residence Assistants Council, is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Student Education Association and the Minority Graduate Student Association. Cavins also has been active in Sigma Lambda Sigma and Alpha Kappa Alpha service projects. Nicole is the daughter of Lucius and Anita Cavin, from the 11100 block of S. Lowe Ave.

CHICAGO (60629) - Laquita Hardy, a senior political science major and African American Studies minor, serves a treasurer of WIU's Black Student Association, is a member of Sigma Lambda Sigma service sorority, the Student Judicial Board and New College Democrats. She also has participated in the Gwendolyn Brooks Dance Troupe and the Student Government Association. Laquita serves on the College of Arts and Sciences Student Board and participates in numerous charitable organizations in Macomb and in Chicago. She is the daughter of Pete Bradley and Jacqueline Hardy of the 7000 block of S. Talman.

CHICAGO (60651) - Tiffany Perkins, a senior computer science major with minors in math and information management, is a member of WIU's Illinois Centennial Honors College. Perkins is vice president of WIU's Black Student Association and has served as new member president of Sigma Lambda Sigma service sorority and vice president and secretary of the National Residence Hall Honorary. She is a member of the Minority Graduate Student Association, the Resident Assistant Council, Inter-Hall Council and Wetzel Hall Government. Tiffany is the daughter of Volta and Faye Perkins from the 5300 block of W. Iowa.

CHICAGO (60637) - Ja'Vaan Veal, a senior special education major, serves as publicity chair for WIU's Black Student Association and secretary for Sigma Lambda Sigma. She has served on the Student Orientation Staff, is a member of PRIDE (Promoting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities Everywhere) and is on the University Union Board planning committee. Veal has also volunteered with numerous community organizations. She is the daughter of Lawrence and Beverly Veal of the 6800 block of S. St. Lawrence.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE (60007) - Kristina Froustis, a senior elementary education major with an option in early childhood, has served numerous leadership positions for Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, including president. She is a member of the Early Childhood Organization for Students and the Student Education Association. Froustis has also served as an America Reads Tutor volunteer in addition to several local organizations. Kristina is the daughter of Dean and Cindi Froustis.

EVERGREEN PARK (60805) - Christiana Knapp, a senior communication major and broadcasting minor, is a member of WIU's Illinois Centennial Honors College. She has served as publicity and promotions director for WHEN radio on campus, is a computer lab assistant and a residence hall government floor representative. Knapp, who also has been a disc jockey for WHEN and WIUS campus radio stations, is a member of the Communication Students Society. Christiana is the daughter of Dr. William Knapp II and Margaret Knapp.

NILES (60714) - Chris Malek, a senior management major, is the president of WIU's Delta Upsilon fraternity and has served the fraternity in various other leadership roles, including the liaison for Interfraternity Council. He has received the Delta Upsilon Scholastic Achievement Award and was a member of WIU's Student Alumni Council, serving on the special events committee. Chris is the son of Stanislaw and Leokadia Malek.

WHEELING (60090) - Jayne Roberts, a senior recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) major and management minor, is a resident assistant, a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary and was the Great Lakes of College and University (GLACURH) 2000 conference chair. She has earned a GLACURH residence hall silver pin and an Inter-Hall Council distinguished service pin. Roberts also served as a RPTA peer adviser. Jayne js the daughter of Janet Roberts.

GREENE COUNTY
PATTERSON (62078) - Nathan Briggs, a senior communication major and marketing minor, is president of Tanner Hall, a member of the Communication Student Society, National Residence Hall Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi and the Purple Posse student athletics support group. Nathan is the son of David and Lynnellen Briggs.

HANCOCK COUNTY
AUGUSTA (62311) - Alyssa Diseron, a senior accountancy and supply chain management major, is a member of WIU's Illinois Centennial Honors College, Phi Kappa Phi, Supply Chain Management Association, Sigma Iota Epsilon, Order of Omega, Mortar Board, the Accounting Society and the American Marketing Association. She is an active member of Alpha Sigma Tau, Beta Gamma Sigma and Delta Sigma Pi. Alyssa is the daughter of Ernie and Janis Diseron.

KANE COUNTY
AURORA (60505) - Rosalinda Hernandez is a health education graduate student working toward a career as a physician assistant. A graduate assistant in Western's Casa Latina Cultural Center and the community health and health services management department, Hernandez has earned several scholastic awards; serves as president of WIU's Tradicion Hispana, alumni relations chair of the Eta Sigma Gamma Professional Health Education Honorary and was a coordinator and presenter for the 2001 WIU Fall Leadership Conference. She has been a tutor at Chicago Acorn Charter High School and WIU's Casa Latina Cultural Center. Rosalinda is the daughter of Vicenke and Rafaela Hernandez.

KNOX COUNTY
KNOXVILLE (61448) - Lacie Westbay, a junior finance major, is a member of WIU's Illinois Centennial Honors College and a student representative to the Honors Council. She is secretary of the Society for Human Resource Management, vice president of the pre-law association and incentives coordinator for Thompson Hall government. Westbay's community involvement has included volunteering with the Relay for Life, United Way and Red Cross. Lacie is the daughter of Steven and Jeannie Westbay.

LAKE COUNTY
MUNDELEIN (60060) - Kristin Camasta, a junior marketing major and international business minor, is an active member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and received the Nancy Wick Memorial Scholarship from the sorority's national office. She has been a WIU cheerleader and is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity, the WIU Marketing Club, the WIU Volunteers Club and a health dducation presenter. Kristin is the daughter of Janet Camasta.

MASON COUNTY
HAVANA (62644) - Alicia Bryant, a senior psychology major and sociology minor, is a member of the Psi Chi Psychology Club, the current team leader in the Hotline organization, a member of the University Union Board Cinema Showcase Committee and a board member of the McDonough County American Red Cross. Alicia is the daughter of David and Brenda Byrant.

McDONOUGH COUNTY
MACOMB (61455)- Ewiniki Clark, a senior broadcasting major and political science minor, is active in Alpha Phi Omega, WIU's Black Student Association, New College Democrats and the University Union Board. She has volunteered with numerous charitable organizations including the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Make A Wish Foundation and the Salvation Army. Ewiniki is the daughter of Bozie Farley and Harriet Clark.

McHENRY COUNTY
CRYSTAL LAKE (60014) - Janely Rivera, a senior bilingual/bicultural education major, is a resident assistant and secretary in Tanner Hall, was a Student Government Association senator, vice president and former treasurer of the Latin American Student Organization and vice president of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Inc. She is a member of the University Union Board, Tanner Hall Government and Inter-Hall Council. Rivera was a participant in the Learning to Lead Summer Institute and interned through the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. She is the daughter of Fernando and Lilia Rivera.

LAKE IN THE HILLS (60156) - Megan Weisenburger, a junior accountancy and French double major, is a resident assistant, French Club treasurer, a member of the Accounting Society and an inducted member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi. She has received a WIU Centennial Scholarship, a College of Business and Technology Scholarship and an Accounting Society Scholarship. Megan is the daughter of Ed and Cheryl Weisenburger.

PEORIA COUNTY
BARTONVILLE (61607) - Christine Ida Hoerdeman is a junior journalism major with a professional writing minor and a member of Western's Illinois Centennial Honors College. She is news editor of the Western Courier, WIU's student-run newspaper, and vice president of the Society of Professional Journalists. Hoerdeman is a council member of St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center at Western and chair of the pro-life committee. Christine is the daughter of Jeff and Annette Hoerdeman.

BARTONVILLE (61607) - Heather Taylor, a junior communication major with a minor in international studies, is a resident assistant in Tanner Hall, where she served on the hall government executive board. She was a member of the University Union Board Coffee House Entertainment Committee and an international conversation partner. Taylor is a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard, currently working to complete her military degree in supply management from the Community College of the Air Force. Heather is the daughter of Ken and Pam Taylor.

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
COAL VALLEY (61240) - Jack Achs, a senior political science major who served more than 20 years in the military, is in the teacher education program. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and recipient of the Louis and Alice Schleier Memorial Teacher Education Scholarship for Academic Achievement. Achs and his wife Peggy are the parents of six children.

COAL VALLEY (61240) - Jay Solomonson, a senior agriculture major, was named the outstanding sophomore and junior Collegiate FFA (CFFA) member; and serves as vice president of CFFA, public relations chair of the Ag Mech Club and program facilitator for AgVocators. Solomonson is a member of the Student Advisory Council for the College of Business and Technology and visits area schools to discuss agriculture literacy. He is the son of John and Debra Solomonson.

EAST MOLINE (61244) - Brian Wells, a senior manufacturing engineering major and computer science minor, is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers; Delta Upsilon fraternity, which he serves as vice president of chapter programming; and the University Union Board, for which he was summer events chair and All-U on the Mall co-chair. He received the Delta Upsilon outstanding pledge award and two scholastic achievement awards. Wells also has volunteered with several local charitable organizations. He is the son of William and Myrtle Wells of East Moline.

MILAN (61264) - John Pauley, a senior management major and marketing minor, serves as a resident assistant and is a student ambassador for WIU's College of Business and Technology. He is a member of Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity; Western Management Association; Phi Eta Sigma national honor society; and Sigma Iota Epsilon, management honor society. Pauley has served on the University's move-in crew, assisting new students entering WIU, and has worked on numerous community service projects. John is the son of Steven and Kathy Pauley.

ROCK ISLAND (60201) - Valerie Viren, a senior elementary education major, has served as secretary and vice president of Phi Theta Kappa and vice president of College Democrats of America. She is a member of the Student Education Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and a former member of the Student Government Association. Viren is an active volunteer in tutoring and with youth programs throughout the Quad Cities.

SCHUYLER COUNTY
HUNTSVILLE (62344) - Jarrod Sheets, a senior management major, is a WIU Foundation Scholar; president of TEAMLEAD, Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Honorary and Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Friends Association; and was secretary of the Western Management Association. His academic honors include Beta Gamma Sigma honors fraternity, Blue Key, Mortar Board and Phi Kappa Phi. Jarrod is the son of George Sheets and Pam Gaitley.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY
PECATONICA (61063) - Amanda Kay Beck, a senior elementary education major with a minor in history, is a third-year resident assistant in Thompson Hall, a member of Thompson Hall Government and an adult literacy tutor. She is active in breast cancer awareness and the MS Memory Walk. Amanda is the daughter of Donald and Denise Beck.

ROCKFORD (61101) - Christopher Foltz, a junior communication major and philosophy minor, is comptroller for WIU's Student Government Association, a member of the debate team, treasurer of Delta Chi fraternity and College Republicans and a member of the Interfraternity Council Executive Board. In the summer of 2000, Foltz was an intern at the George W. Bush presidential campaign headquarters. He also has interned with Senator Bob and Elizabeth Dole. Christopher is the son of Terri Foltz.

MISSOURI
KAHOKA (63445) - Heath Hunziker is a graduate assistant in the physical education sports management program. He serves as a physical education teacher at St. Paul Catholic School in Macomb and is a certified Special Olympics coach. He is a Spring 2001 physical education graduate of WIU and a member of the WIU Sport Management Club. Heath is the son of Gary Hunziker.

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