Students and faculty honored at the 2025 Millikin University Honors Convocation

On Thursday, April 24, the Millikin University community gathered to recognize the accomplishments of its students and faculty at the 2025 Honors Convocation. The annual event is held on campus each April and honors the best and brightest of the University’s scholars and educators.

Every year, Millikin faculty vote to select one of their own as the Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. The faculty member chosen is bestowed with the honor of delivering the keynote address at Honors Convocation. This year’s lecturer was Dr. Mark Tonelli, Associate Professor in the School of Music. Dr. Tonelli coordinates Millikin’s guitar studies program, teaches courses in jazz and commercial music, and created student-run venture Arts Café, a live-performance venue operated by students.

Dr. Tonelli’s lecture, titled “Go Out and See the World: The Inestimable Value of International Education,” focused on his time as a Fulbright Scholar and the transformative impact that international travel and study have had on him as an artist, teacher and person.

Acting President Mary Black emphasized that Honors Convocation and the Distinguished Faculty Lecture create a unique opportunity that allows Millikin University and its community to connect with the past, honor the achievements of the present and look forward to even greater accomplishments in the future.

Over 90 awards — with more than $65,000 in prizes — were given in recognition of academic, professional and personal excellence during this year’s Honors Convocation, many of which were established by or created in honor of distinguished Millikin University alumni. 

The most coveted award given during Honors Convocation is the Scovill Prize, with its recipients selected on the basis of not only academic achievement, but also leadership, service and scholarship. Eight students were named Scovill Prize recipients for 2025, including:

• -Lauren Auton, a senior Elementary Education major from Decatur;
   
• -Max Cline, a junior Theatre & Performance Studies major from Coralville, Iowa;
   
• -Emily Edwards, a senior Biology Pre-Professional major from Springfield, Ill.;
   
• -Kyler Griggs, a junior English Writing major from Decatur;
   
• -Jallah Kollie, a junior Computer Science major from Florissant, Mo.;
   
• -Audrey Soetermans, a senior Commercial Music major from Rockford, Ill.;
   
• -Oakley Tate, a senior Finance major from Decatur; and
   
• -Colby Wygal, a senior Arts Technology major from Litchfield, Ill.

Here is the complete list of 2025 Honors Convocation awardees:

College of Arts & Sciences

• -Behavioral Science Award: Kelsey Jacobs
   
• -Henry F. Gromoll Service Award: Kendall Rossignol
   
• -Biology Honors Award: Sophie Gibbs, Madi Jessen, Chase Travis
   
• -Dr. Neil Baird Biology Lab Assistant Award: Lily Monigold
   
• -Clyde Dennis Award: Carly Ward
   
• -Glasscock Family Biology Award: Jordan Reeter
   
• -John & Ula Leighty Research Award: Allie McPherson, Hope Moore
   
• -Aspiring Healthcare Professionals Award: Allie McPherson
   
• -American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry: Isabella Sia
   
• -Dr. Ed & Lucy Acheson Award for Excellence in First-Year Chemistry: Addyson Ficek, Evan Oleson, Grace Pelz, Nolan Reiman, Aidan Welch, Zane Williard, Jesse Zhu
   
• -Dr. & Mrs. William F. Henderson Prize: Abbey Burkhalter, Nyla Kyles, Eli Rojas
   
• -Carl & Lucile Weatherbee Chemistry Award: Faith Shuck, Isabella Sia
   
• -Carl & Lucile Weatherbee Graduate Studies Award: Isabella Sia, Adam Walker
   
• -Dr. Clarence & Carol Josefson Award for Excellence in Chemistry: Nyla Kyles
   
• -Dr. Grace Patten Conant Writing Award (Literary Creation): Eden Niebrugge
   
• -Dr. Grace Patten Conant Writing Award (Literary Interpretation): Julia Lambert
   
• -Dr. Grace Patten Conant English Department Award: Olivia Swords
   
• -Dr. Grace Patten Conant Society Achievement Award: Kyler Griggs, Kemper Koslofski, Julia Lambert, Eden Niebrugge, Anna Quick, Olivia Swords
   
• -Marybeth Drechsler Sharp Outstanding Journalism Award: Kemper Koslofski, Anna Quick
   
• -Dr. J. Graham Provan History Award: Harris Dorgan
   
• -Albert T. Mills Prize: Olivia Swords
   
• -John E. Vrooman History Prize: Brennan Pekelder
   
• -Sigrid A. Stottrup History Award: Not Awarded
   
• -Rev. Robert S. & Doris Stewart Award: Harris Dorgan, Jack Hughes, Brennan Pekelder, Olivia Swords
   
• -Mathematics & Computer Science Award: Delaney Balmer, Dayton Lasack
   
• -LaVern J. Meyer, Ph.D., Math Education Award: Not Awarded
   
• -Linda Weatherbee Mathematics Award: Jallah Kollie
   
• -Modern Languages Linguistic Excellence Award: Grace Talbert
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• -Modern Languages Literary Criticism Award: Reagan Crouse
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• -Margaret Burkhardt Johnson Modern Language Excellence Award: Reagan Crouse, Grace Talbert
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• -Dr. Robert McIntire Political Science Award: Not Awarded
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• -Outstanding Political Science Major Award: Akeila McNeal
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• -Alice Ambrose Lazerowitz Philosophy Award: Olivia Swords
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• -Thomas W. & Mary R. Adney Memorial Award: Maggie Schrage
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• -T.W. Samuels Award: Olivia Swords
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• -Dr. Michael Karasis Award for Excellence in Physics: Ean Haggerty
• 
  

College of Fine Arts

• -Pi Kappa Lambda Outstanding Senior Award: Julia Funck
   
• -Presser Award: Mackenzie Mann
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• -Alice Herren Ayars Award: Risako Aoki, Lucas Finley
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• -Wilna Moffett Award: Not Awarded
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• -Mary B. Merris Award: Not Awarded
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• -Brad and Beth Holmes Choral Excellence Award: Evan Borneman
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• -Winifred St. Clair Minturn Award: Colton Middleton
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• -William Eichenauer Guitar Award: Nolan Bunger
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• -Thomas A. Johnson Memorial Award: Alex Barr
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• -Dr. Russell Tiede Honors Award: Julia Funck
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• -Percussion Achievement Award: Roxanne Bakir
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• -Jennifer Ketchmark-Liska Music Education Award: Drew Rachow
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• -Dr. Maria Klott Memorial Award: Aidan Kostbade
   
• -Handler Award for Excellence, Bachelor of Arts in Music: Tabitha Barowsky
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• -Joan & Melvin Grabowski Memorial Award: Hunter Ward
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• -Dr. L.C. McNabb Memorial Award: Katie Kocan, Hannah Patton
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• -Michelle Chartier Memorial Award: Mia Orr, Francesca Zaccor
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• -Kathryn Paige Torp Memorial Award: Moriah Jestus, Savannah Schwartz
   
• -Ron Smith Award in Musical Theatre: Joshua Higgins
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• -J. Ben Wand Prize: Ethan Cerros, Faith Reidinger
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• -Andrew Strand Memorial Theatre Ensemble Award: Elijah Gibson
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• -Andrea Olsen Dance Award: Tanner Essex, Sam Stokes, Eva Taub
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• -Dr. Everett J. Brown Prize: Helena Hashimoto, Katie Kocan
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• -Marvin Klaven Art Award: Jupiter Holcomb, Emma McManus
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• -David S. Monroe Art Award: Julie McCauley, Cole Phillips, Colby Wygal, Shaina Mae Yumol
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• -Dorothy Sellers Art Award: Maliyah Battle, Charley Condill, Samuel Davidson, Crux May, Justin Mitchell, Hannah Uebinger

College of Professional Studies

• -Barbara & Robert Byrkit Award: Madi Walker, Brandilyn Wegmann
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• -Dr. Jerald Hunt & Dr. Darlene Hoffman Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning: Kailee Itzenhuiser
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• -Jola Kuntz Education Award: Mercedes Baylis, Trista Hampton
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• -Ray Boehmer Memorial Award for Excellence in Science Education: Ella Curtis
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• -Smith/Orlandini Award: Luke Bradley, Awstace Grauer
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• -Walter Witt Award: Lauren Argo, Hannah Ermeling, Chase Mandra
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• -Alpha Tau Delta Honorarium Award: Madelyn Letourneau
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• -Decatur Memorial Hospital R.H. Cleland R.N. Award: Gracie Shemwell
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• -James Millikin Theory & Practice of Nursing Award: Emily White
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• -Dorothea F. Dean Nursing Award: Sam McVey
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• -Dr. Mary D. Shanks & Dr. Linda K. Niedringhaus Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award: James Turner
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• -Dr. Mary Jane Linton Nursing Excellence Award: Marissa Schultz
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• -Patrick and Dr. Pamela Lindsey Award for Nursing Excellence: Claudia Seiler

Tabor School of Business

• -Glen R. Smith Award: Danny Lack
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• -Margaret Sparks Award: Ellie Fitzpatrick
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• -Dr. Cheryl L. Chamblin Tabor School of Business Honors Award: Anna Deutschmann, Oakley Tate
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• -Judy Lederbrand Day Accounting Award: Emily Ciambella
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• -Dr. & Mrs. W.J. Darby Prize: Helena Hashimoto
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• -Dr. Nancy J. Curtin Communication Award: Ben Comes
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• -Linda Weatherbee Human Resource Management Award: Remi Mendenhall
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• -Paul R. Winn Memorial Achievement Award: Anna Deutschmann
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• -Podeschi-Landacre Management Information Systems Award: Anna Deutschmann, Jack Pearce
   
• -Excellence in Management Information Systems Award: Jeremy Drag

University Awards

• -Maria Leonard Senior Book Award: Julia Funck, Helena Hashimoto
   
• -JoAnne Trow Award: Maliyah Battle, Charley Condill, Libby Eichorn
   
• -Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Illinois Delta Chapter Award of Excellence: Croix Baker, Anthony Chaney, Jupiter Holcomb, Justin Mitchell, Jacob Pangilinan, Quartus Rassi
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• -Millikin University Greek Five Star Chapter Award: Pi Beta Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
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• -C.W. Barnes Memorial Award: Reagan Crouse
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• -Major Thomas G. Storey Citizenship Award: Kelsey Jacobs
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• -Dr. Jere C. Mickel Human Relations Award: Guy Gahungu
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• -Daniel J. & Elinor Gage Student Activities Award: Tabitha Barowsky
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• -Helen Moffett Russell Community Service Award: Corey Cebulski, Zena Roberts
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• -Eshelman Family Award: Danny Lack, Helena Hashimoto
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• -Suzanne Curtis-Johnson Leadership Award: Braylen Kean
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• -Dr. Jan Devore Award for Excellence in Contributions to Campus Life: Helena Hashimoto
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• -Dr. J. Roger Miller Leadership Award: Sophia Gibbs
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• -Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award: Francesca Tescione
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• -Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Teaching Award: Jefferson Farber
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• -James Millikin Scholars Educator of the Year: Dr. Brian Mullgardt
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• -Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Emily Olson
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• -Research & Artistic Achievement Award: Dr. Katherine Leo
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• -Faculty Service Award: Jessa Wilcoxen
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• -Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah Slayton Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award: Dr. Matthew Olsen