Exceptional Students and Faculty Recognized on Honors Day

4/15/2011

 

Lebanon, Ill. — McKendree University recognized outstanding students from all divisions and announced three faculty awards at an Honors Day Convocation held Apr. 15 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus.

Dr. Tami Eggleston, associate dean, explained that honorees are selected by full-time faculty members based on four major components of the university’s mission: responsible citizenship, engagement, academic excellence and lifelong learning.

“These honorees are our best and brightest,” noted Dr. James Dennis, university president.

Dr. Frank Spreng, professor of economics and director of the MBA program, delivered the keynote address, “Ephemeral and Fundamental,” as the previous year’s recipient of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Board of Higher Education Exemplary Teacher Award.

Dr. Brian Frederking, professor of political science and chair of the social sciences division, received the Exemplary Teacher Award for 2011. It is given by the UMC Board of Higher Education for excellence in teaching, concern for students and colleagues, a commitment to values-centered education, service to students beyond the classroom, and service to one’s students, institution, community or local church.

Frederking teaches political science and international relations, and serves as faculty advisor to the Model United Nations program and a professor in the honors program. “He sets high standards for students and demonstrates extensive leadership,” said Eggleston, adding that he often takes students to conferences and helps them publish their work in the Scholars online journal of undergraduate research.

As a McKendree alumnus, Frederking said the award is especially meaningful to him.

The 2011 Associate Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching were given to Gary Brink and Maynard Saunders, two instructors respected by students for bringing complex theories to life with passion and enthusiasm. Brink, of Trenton, has taught in the university’s education program and supervised student teachers since 2004. Saunders, of Edwardsville, has taught introductory philosophy and ethics courses at the university since 1999.

The Active Collegians Engaged in Service (ACES) Award, sponsored by McKendree’s Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service, was given to Jenna Baker, a senior biology major from Fairfield. Throughout her college career, she has volunteered more than 400 hours of service, primarily at nursing homes programs and as a tutor in local schools.

School and division chairs recognized the following exceptional students for achievement within their respective areas:

College of Arts & Sciences
Division of Computing, Dr. Kian Pokorny, chairperson
Evan VanScoyk, Troy, computer science
Billy John Richardson, Wood River, computer science, Center at Scott Air Force Base

Division of Humanities, Dr. Nancy Ypma, chairperson
Christopher Moll, Baldwin, history education
Catherine Neuman, Aurora, music education
Jacinda Pullum, Lebanon, history

Division of Language, Literature, & Communication, Dr. Brenda Boudreau, chairperson
Anastasia Bierman, Mascoutah, English

Division of Science & Mathematics, Dr. Robb Van Putte, chairperson
Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield, mathematics
Jordan Finch, Hillsboro, Mo., biology

Division of Social Sciences, Dr. Brian Frederking, chairperson
Whitney Baillie, Fort Wayne, Ind., international relations
Keri McDaniel, Pinckneyville, sociology
Meagan Musgrave, Minooka, political science
Rory Scher, Swansea, psychology

 

School of Business, Dr. Sandra Lang, chairperson
Tonya Downard, Coulterville, Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award
Katherine Kellermann, O’Fallon, accounting
Christopher Mondy, St. Jacob, management
Christopher Ray, Granite City, marketing
Lindsay Winkeler, Bartelso, economics and finance
Nathan Denny, Belleville, management, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Amanda Nimick, Scott Air Force Base, business administration, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Jason Stroud, Collinsville, accounting, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Courtney Deboer, New Lenox, marketing, Accelerated Instruction at McKendree (AiM) program
Barbara Seiler, Mt. Vernon, business administration, Accelerated Instruction at McKendree (AiM) program

Master of Business Administration
Mark Koenig, New Baden
Eric Patmythes, O’Fallon

School of Education, Dr. Janet Wicker, chairperson
Hannah McDowell, Mt. Vernon, elementary education
Chyrisse Rennegarbe, Nashville, elementary education

Master of Arts in Education
Katherine Hoerner, Belleville, education studies, American history
Mark Lull, Granite City, educational administration and leadership
Michelle Rahm, Belleville, teacher certification
Lori Rohling, Aviston, educational studies
Craig Stark, East Alton, educational administration and leadership
Karen Tate, Columbia, teacher certification
Lori Zeiter, Belleville, teacher leadership

School of Nursing & Health Professions
Division of Health Professions, Dr. Dawn Hankins, chairperson
Marie T.L. Almeida, O’Fallon, health promotion and wellness
Kenneth Detmer, Aviston, physical education
Sarah Ryan, Rochester, health education
Jacob Wittenauer, Waterloo, athletic training

Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Mary Jo Brunhaver, O’Fallon

Division of Nursing, Dr. Richelle Rennegarbe, chairperson
Jeri Roberts, Metropolis, nursing
Margaret Vance, Raymond, nursing

Master of Science in Nursing
Jennifer Durbin, Highland, nursing management and administration
Nila Hawkins, Iuka, nursing education

 

Honors Program, Dr. John Greenfield, director

Whitney Baillie, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield; Jordan Finch, Hillsboro, Mo.; Meagan Musgrave, Minooka; Jacinda Pullum, Lebanon; Carrie Schumacher, St. Rose; Jake Smith, Golconda.

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, presented by Dr. Joni Bastian, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Melinda Bayer, Collinsville; Melissa Bayer, Collinsville; Rebecca Bernard, Belleville; Anastasia Bierman, Mascoutah; Lora Blackwell, Edwardsville; Timothy Day, Edwardsville; Cicely Green, Belleville; Samantha Hartman, Troy; Richard Henderson, Dundee, Scotland; Douglas Mennerick, O’Fallon; Christopher Moll, Baldwin; Meagan Musgrave, Minooka; Kelsie Perkins, Jacksonville; Airika Tyler, Maryville; Michelle Voegele, Mascoutah.

Lincoln Laureate Award
Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield

-McK-