Honors Convocation and Annual Awards

Recognition of Student and Faculty Excellence

Download the 2023 Honors Convocation Program.

Learn more about the 2022 Scovill Award Winners.

Millikin Honors Convocation Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award

The Millikin University Honors Convocation, which takes place each year in mid-to-late April, honors the very best students and faculty members at Millikin University on an annual basis.

Each year, the Millikin faculty vote to select one of their own as the Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. This honored faculty member delivers the keynote address at our Honors Convocation.

Faculty who have held the Millikin Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award include:

  • 2022: Mary Garrison
  • 2021: Dr. Michael Hartsock
  • 2019 Lyle Salmi
  • 2018 Dan Monroe
  • 2017 Stephen Frech
  • 2016 Michael Luxner
  • 2015 W. Thomas Duncanson
  • 2014 David Burdick
  • 2013 Mary Jane Linton
  • 2012 Ngozi Onuora
  • 2011 James Schietinger
  • 2010 Judith Parrish
  • 2009 Robert Money
  • 2008 Ray Boehmer
  • 2007 Ralph Czerwinski
  • 2006 Rick Bibb
  • 2005 Clarence Josefson
  • 2004 Denise Myers
  • 2003 JoEllen Jacobs
  • 2002 Debra Slayton
  • 2001 Larry Troy
  • 2000 Shelly Cordulack
  • 1999 James Rauff
  • 1998 Brian Mihm
  • 1997 Ed Yonan
  • 1996 Homer Smith
  • 1995 Darlene Hoffman
  • 1994 Richard Pacholski
  • 1993 Richard Ferry
  • 1992 Mildred Boaz
  • 1991 Henry Gromoll
  • 1990 Gorden Forbes
  • 1989 Daniel Guillory
  • 1988 Robert McIntire
  • 1987 William Bodamer
  • 1986 Ron Shelton
  • 1985 Arvid Adell
  • 1984 David H. Marshall
  • 1983 Graham Provan

Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah L. Slayton Teaching Excellence and Leadership Award

Formerly underwritten by the Sears-Roebuck Foundation, the Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah L. Slayton Teaching Excellence and Leadership Award is now funded by an endowment in honor of Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah L. Slayton, both Dean and Professor Emeritus, and carries a small stipend for the awardee. The guidelines for the award state, "A faculty member should be selected who has made a distinctive difference in such areas as classroom teaching, campus leadership, pioneering teaching methodology, creative course development, or instructional support."

The winner of the award becomes the keynote speaker for opening freshman convocation each year.

The award winner is chosen by a selection committee that includes represenatives from the faculty, administration, students and alumni. Recently, the selection committee's representation have included a) three faculty members from the Council on Faculty representing major curricular divisions, b) a senior student chosen by Student Senate from its own membership, c) a recent alumnus/a, chosen by the Alumni Board, and the committee is chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Faculty who have held the Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah L. Slayton Teaching Excellence and Leadership Award include:

  • 2022 Nancy Curtin
  • 2021 Rachel Bicicchi
  • 2020 Mary Black
  • 2019 Not awarded
  • 2018 Dan Miller
  • 2017 Thomas Robson
  • 2016 Ngozi Onuora
  • 2015 Jennifer Schroeder
  • 2014 J. Mark Munoz
  • 2013 Paris Barnes
  • 2012 Judith Parrish
  • 2011 Laura Ledford
  • 2010 James Rauff
  • 2009 Mariann Robertson
  • 2008 Anne Matthews
  • 2007 Randy Brooks
  • 2006 Ed Acheson
  • 2005 Linda Slagell
  • 2004 Darlene Hoffman
  • 2003 Sharon Alpi
  • 2002 Mary Ellen Poole
  • 2001 Robert McIntire
  • 2000 Barry Pearson
  • 1999 Clarence Josefson
  • 1998 Cheryl Chamblin
  • 1997 James St. James
  • 1996 Catherine Kaha
  • 1995 David Golden
  • 1994 Brian Mihm
  • 1993 Homer Smith
  • 1992 Dave Marshall
  • 1991 Ron Shelton
  • 1990 Bill Williams
  • 1989 Richard Hoffland
  • 1988 Marv Klaven

Millikin Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Teacher of the Year

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-discovery 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 current Alpha Lambda Delta active members nominate candidates and participate in the preliminary voting. A special committee of Alpha Lambda Delta makes the final selection.

The Outstanding Teacher is honored by having his or her name placed on a plaque displayed in the faculty lounge, receives a gift from Alpha Lambda Delta, and receives an Honorary Membership into the Scholastic Society. The Outstanding Teacher also addresses the next year's new initiates during their initiation ceremony.

Faculty who have been chosen for the Alpha Lambda Delta Teacher of the Year Award include:

  • 2022 Robert Money
  • 2021 Anne Matthews
  • 2020 Denise Myers
  • 2019 Ed Weber
  • 2018 Chris Cunnings
  • 2017 Timothy Guasco
  • 2016 Judith Parrish
  • 2015 Alex Miller
  • 2014 Eric Roark
  • 2013 Paris Barnes
  • 2012 Michael Hartsock
  • 2011 Tony Magagna
  • 2010 Anne Matthews
  • 2009 Judith Crowe
  • 2008 Carmella Braniger
  • 2007 Tina Nicholson
  • 2006 Michael O'Conner
  • 2005 Paul Haspel
  • 2004 Nancy DeJoy
  • 2003 Linda Schinke-Llano
  • 2002 Bonnie Guzenhauser
  • 2001 Robert Money
  • 2000 Eligie Wilson
  • 1999 Millie Boaz
  • 1998 JoEllen Jacobs
  • 1997 Annette Russo
  • 1996 Marianne Robertson
  • 1995 Denise Myers
  • 1994 Clarence Josefson
  • 1993 Ron Shelton
  • 1992 Thersa Shepherd
  • 1991 Brian Mihm
  • 1990 James Rauff
  • 1989 Daniel Guillory
  • 1988 Phillip Tinch
  • 1987 Cheryl Chamblin