Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Book Award
To the graduating senior with the highest grade point average who is a member of the freshman/sophomore scholastic honorary.
Alpha Lambda Delta is an honor society for students who have maintained a 3.5 or higher grade point average and are in the top 20 percent of their class during the first year or term of higher education.
The JoAnne Trow Award
For an outstanding sophomore member of Alpha Lambda Delta.
The Jo Anne J. Trow Award was started in 1988 to honor Trow as past National President of Alpha Lambda Delta. Former Vice President for Student Services at Oregon State University, Trow served Alpha Lambda Delta as District VIII Advisor from 1974 to 1979, Secretary from 1979 to 1983, President-elect from 1984-1985, and as National President from 1985 to 1988. During her term as President, the National Council was restructured to provide a more streamlined operation.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Illinois Delta Chapter Award of Excellence
In recognition of a deserving sophomore or junior active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, in good standing, who is a full-time student and possesses at least a 3.0 or higher grade point average.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1965. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South. Its national headquarters, the Levere Memorial Temple, was established on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1929.
The Millikin University Greek Five Chapter Star Award
For outstanding fraternity or sorority chapters who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, philanthropy, campus involvement, public relations, educational and social programming.
C. W. Barnes Memorial Award
For an outstanding student who has a solid grade point average.
Cora Windsor Barnes (1900-1995), a descendant of Central Illinois pioneers, was a member of the Millikin class of 1927 and a star “quarter-miler” at while at Millikin. This award was established by his family and friends.
Parent & Family Association Achievement Awards
For outstanding service to the University while exemplifying balance between curricular and co-curricular programs.
For commitment to academic studies during the first semesters in attendance at Millikin.
The goal of the Parent & Family Associate is to provide all Millikin families with meaningful opportunities to share in their student's college experience. Each semester teh Parent & Family Associate conducts a Survival Kit fundraiser to encourage students during finals week. The fundraiser profits, along with membership fees, fund Parent & Family Association Achievement Awards granted each year at the Annual Spring Honors Convocation.
Major Thomas G. Storey Citizenship Award
For a senior who has demonstrated outstanding campus and community leadership.
Major Thomas Storey was an instructor in the industrial engineering program at Millikin from 1958 until 1962. After being called to active duty, he left Millikin and was assigned to McKill Air Force Base in Florida and then to Vietnam. In 1967, his photo reconnaissance plane was shot down and he was captured in North Vietnam where he was held as a prisoner of war for six and a half years. He returned to the United States in 1973. That same year, Major Storey was Millikin’s commencement speaker. The honorarium he received for speaking was used to establish this award.
Jere C. Mickel Human Relations Award
For the student who has contributed the most during the year to furthering human relations at Millikin University.
Dr. Jere Mickel was a faculty member in the theater program at Millikin from 1953 until 1969. He also provided leadership for a Millikin/Decatur community theater program called The Town and Gown. The Mickel family legacy lives on today at Millikin as Dr. Mickel’s daughter, Dr. Cynthia Handler, a member of the Millikin class of 1966, has guided hundreds of Millikin students since she joined the Millikin faculty in 1997 and began leading Millikin’s pre-professional programs in health sciences.
Daniel J. and Elinor Gage Student Activities Award
For a senior with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 who has made meaningful contributions to campus activities.
Dr. Daniel J. Gage joined the Millikin faculty as a professor of history and political science in 1943, serving until his retirement in 1962. Elinor Gage joined the Millikin faculty as a professor of English in 1946, served as chairman of the fine arts program, and was the first director of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, retiring in 1970. Dr. Gage is well remembered for his inspiring lectures, student-centered teaching and devotion to Millikin. Dr. Gage is one of the most beloved professors of the graduates of his era. Daughters Mary Gage Gray, class of 1961, and Beth Gage, class of 1964, are also graduates.
Helen Moffett Russell Community Service Awards
For deserving seniors who have demonstrated outstanding service leadership to the Decatur community during their attendance at Millikin University.
Helen Moffett Russell was a member of the Millikin class of 1929 who contributed greatly to Millikin and Decatur and valued community service in others. First awarded in 1996, this award was established by Russell to recognize such service in our students. Her family’s legacy included a brother and two sisters who also attended Millikin, including Wilma Moffett, a renowned piano and organ teacher in the School of Music.
Eshelman Family Award
To a graduating senior male and female who have maintained the highest scholastic achievement for four years and who have, in the opinion of the University, exhibited high moral values and the ideals of American citizenship.
This endowed award was established by the Estate of Dolores E. Graves. Dolores was a member of the class of 1930, and she was known as Dolores Eshelman at that time. She established this award to honor the graduating senior male and female who have maintained the highest scholastic achievement for four years and who have, in the opinion of the University, exhibited high moral values and the ideals of American citizenship. Dolores E. Graves was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
The Jan Devore Award for Excellence in Contributions to Campus Life
For the student who is judged to have had the most significant impact on facilitating the intellectual and/or character development of their classmates and thereby enhancing the quality of student life.
This award was established in 2008 by Ed ’95 and Jennifer (Stubblefield) ’93 Lobenhofer to honor their Millikin mentor and friend, Alumni Director and former Dean of Students, Dr. Jan Devore. Dr. Devore joined the Millikin University staff in 1978 as Hall Director and has served both the Student Life and Alumni and Development areas.
The Lobenhofers attribute their “firm belief in the educational benefits of higher learning, but also the importance of working to improve campus life and enhancing the lives of our fellow students” to their experience with Dr. Devore. They noted: “She embodies the philosophy of fostering and developing every student so that all are enabled to achieve their fullest potential. Through her, we quickly learned that some of the most important education at college occurs outside the classroom.” This award is a tribute to her immeasurable influence on a countless number of Millikin students’ lives.
Dr. J. Roger Miller Leadership Award
For a senior who exemplifies superior qualities of academic excellence and leadership.
Dr. Miller began his tenure at Millikin in 1959 as marching band director and was soon named Dean of the School of Music. He was later promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs in 1968. Following the death of Millikin President Paul McKay, Dr. Miller was named his successor, serving from 1971 until he retired in 1991, serving longer than any previous president in Millikin history. During his tenure, Staley Library, Richards Treat University Center, and the new halls were built, Shilling Hall was renovated, and the School of Nursing was established. Today, Millikin features the Dr. and Mrs. J. Roger Miller Centennial Quad in the center of campus.
Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Teaching Award
In recognition of an outstanding contributor to freshman learning, based on teaching ability and concern shown in and out of classroom.
Each spring, Alpha Lambda Delta, the Freshman-Sophomore Scholastic Honorary, names a faculty member as an outstanding contributor to freshman learning. The faculty member is chosen on the basis of the ability to teach, knowledge of subject area, ability to present material in a clear and understandable fashion, ability to motivate students to self-discovering in learning, and for the care and concern shown to students in and out of the classroom. The focus is on teachers who teach several classes at the freshman level.
The Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award
In recognition of an outstanding faculty member who has made a distinctive difference on campus through teaching excellence and campus leadership.
The Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award is given annually at Honors Convocation to an outstanding faculty member who has made a distinctive difference on campus through teaching excellence and campus leadership. The endowment was funded by Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski, Dean and Professor Emeritus. Dr. Czerwinski served Millikin University for 30 years as faculty, then as Chair of the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, and finally as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Scovill Prize Awards
The most coveted student award for overall excellence at Millikin University. Scovill prizes are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and service, with major consideration given to scholarship.
The Scovill Prizes are named in honor of and funded by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Scovill. Mr. Scovill was a Decatur businessman who together with his wife Rose left an indelible mark on this city with Scovill Park, Scovill Zoo, Scovill Golf courses, and, at Millikin, ADM-Scovill Hall, originally named Scovill Hall, Millikin’s first freestanding science building.