The Barbara and Robert Byrkit Award
For a sophomore or junior student with a major in early childhood or elementary education who is a degree-seeking student, has been admitted to the School of Education, and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
The award was established in 2013 by alumnus Robert Byrkit, Class of 1963, in honor of his late wife, Barbara, Class of 1964, to represent their commitment to education in the Decatur/Macon County community.
Dr. Jerald Hunt and Dr. Darlene Hoffman Award
For excellence in teaching and learning.
This award was created by Dr. Jerald Hunt and Dr. Darlene Hoffman, emeriti faculty and administrators of Millikin University. Dr. Hunt served the University with excellence for thirty-two years (1969-2001), most of those years as Director of Teacher Education. Dr. Hoffman served the University with distinction for thirty-two years (1977-2009), including ten years as Chair of the Education Department.
The Smith/Orlandini Book Award
For students within the Department of Exercise Science and Sport who have accumulated between 54 and 90 hours of academic credit and who possess a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The award is to be used for the purchase of required textbooks.
This award was established in 2007 by Father Nicholas W. Smith, a member of the Millikin class of 1983 in recognition of the families of his father and mother. While a student at Millikin, “Father Nick,” as he’s known, observed how hard student-athletes had to work in order to achieve success both in the classroom and on the playing field. The Smith/Orlandini Book Award is a way for Father Nick to honor that hard work on the part of student-athletes at his alma mater. Father Nick is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Walter Witt Award
For an outstanding junior in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport who has accumulated between 54 and 90 hours of academic credit.
Walter “Walt” Witt served as superintendent of the Millikin mail room for more than twenty years. Known as “a great favorite of students, faculty and administrators,” he was a passionate supporter of the Big Blue athletic teams. The idea for this award to honor this long-time University supporter was established by two alumni, Frank Van Dorn, ’56, and James McCarthy, ’56, and the first Walter Witt award was presented in 1978.
Alpha Tau Delta Honorarium Award
Outstanding Alpha Tau Delta member as selected by the faculty.
Alpha Tau Delta [ATD] is a national nursing fraternity founded on February 15, 1921 on the Berkeley campus. ATD is committed to the promotion of personal and intellectual growth of professional nurses and nursing students. The Millikin University chapter of Alpha Tau Delta was chartered in 1989 and seeks to provide a professional nursing environment on campus “that fosters excellence of individual performance, advancement of education, character enrichment, and leadership.” Each year Millikin University’s ATD Alpha Iota chapter makes the provision for a financial award to an outstanding Alpha Tau Delta member who is selected by the faculty and who demonstrates excellence in performance, education, character, and leadership.
Decatur Memorial Hospital R. H. Cleland R.N. Award
For the academically outstanding senior nursing major, as selected by the director of the School of Nursing.
The Decatur Memorial Hospital R.H. Cleland Award is given annually to the academically outstanding senior nursing major, distinguished by academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to nursing (as selected by the Director of the School of Nursing). R. Helen Cleland was DMH's first superintendent of nursing, a position she accepted in 1915 after receiving a letter of invitation from Dr. William Barnes. In order to assume the superintendent's position at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Cleland left Massachusetts General Hospital where she had been a "gifted nurse." Miss Cleland delighted in the fact that she had been "trained" by a woman who was a pupil of Florence Nightingale and that all of her nurses were "descended" from the famous Miss Nightingale. R.H. Cleland would be proud to know that the endowment funds given in her honor support nursing students in their scholarship endeavors.
James Millikin Theory and Practice of Nursing Award
For a junior or senior nursing major with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
The James Millikin Theory and Practice of Nursing Award was created by the School of Nursing faculty to recognize the junior or senior nursing major who best embodies James Millikin’s philosophy of integrating theory and practice. The student receiving this award must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and demonstrate an exceptional translation and application of nursing theory to the practice and care of individual patients in a variety of clinical settings. In selecting the award recipient, the faculty of the School of Nursing meets annually to discuss the professional attributes demonstrated by eligible candidates which are exemplary of the School of Nursing’s very best graduates and then, subsequently, select the most deserving individual to receive this award.
Dorotha F. Dean Nursing Award
For an outstanding nursing school student interested in public health or school nursing.
The Dorotha F. Dean Nursing Award was established by the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Dorotha F. Dean who was an alumna of Millikin class of ‘51 and a long-time nurse in the Decatur Public Schools. Realizing the importance of having outstanding nurses working in areas where primary and secondary prevention is paramount to the success of the youth in this community, Dean’s award legacy recognizes a School of Nursing student interested in public health or school nursing. The ideal candidate is a well-rounded student who demonstrates overall merit in the program and the potential to make a positive impact in the fields of school nursing and public health.
The Dr. Mary D. Shanks & Dr. Linda K. Niedringhaus Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award
For a graduating Master of Science in Nursing student who demonstrates excellence in leadership and a commitment to the profession of nursing.
The Dr. Mary D. Shanks & Dr. Linda K. Niedringhaus Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award recognizes the academic excellence, professional commitment, and leadership potential of an MSN student as selected annually by the School of Nursing faculty members. This award was established in honor of the first two deans of the Millikin University School of Nursing whose excellence in leadership from 1978 through 1997 provided the foundation for the MSN program. Dr. Mary D. Shanks & Dr. Linda K. Niedringhaus served as the first two deans of the Millikin University School of Nursing and their legacy of excellence in nursing leadership in the baccalaureate nursing program spanned 29 years, providing a strong foundation for the MSN program which began in 2006. The ideal recipient of the award will have a stellar academic record and clear leadership characteristics with demonstrated professional values, core knowledge, and skills desirable in a nursing professional.