Six students, who will complete their degree requirements in Fall 2022, have received the highest recognition from their colleges for their overall academic excellence by being named a College Scholar. They will be recognized at the December 2022 Commencement ceremony in Macomb.
Faculty in each of the University's four academic colleges; University Libraries and the Centennial Honors College select a graduating senior as the college's outstanding student. Students graduating as College Scholars have satisfied the criteria of excellence established by their individual academic college's faculty members. A Departmental Scholar is an outstanding degree candidate in an academic major as determined by the faculty in the major department. An Honors Scholar is a student in the Centennial Honors College who has completed a set of honors requirements and has achieved a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
Approximately 10 percent of graduating seniors achieve academic distinction, which is designated as Summa Cum Laude, highest academic distinction, with a minimum grade point average of 3.90; Magna Cum Laude, high academic distinction, with a GPA of 3.75-3.89; and Cum Laude, academic distinction, with a GPA between 3.60-3.74.
College Scholars
College of Arts and Sciences Scholar
Francine Lawler (St. Louis, MO) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Forensic Psychology, with a minor in Pre-Law, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar. Lawler is a member of the Laboratory for the Investigation of Psychology and Law, is a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and is on the alumni board for Rockython. On campus, she worked as a career ambassador in the Career Center, helping students update their resumes, cover letters and interview skills. Off campus, Lawler is part of the Clark Academy of Irish Dance alumni group, a member of the Metro Academic and Classical High School alumni group, and an Alpha Sigma Tau alumna. She has previously volunteered at an animal rescue ranch near St. Louis, MO, and for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. After graduation, Lawler plans to attend law school, and to work or intern at a law firm prior to classes starting. Her goal is to be a state prosecutor and eventually a j
udge. She is the daughter of Janine and Steven Lawler.
College of Business and Technology Scholar
Kinsey Tiemann (La Grange, MO) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education, and a minor in Agronomy, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Agriculture Departmental Scholar, and a Centennial Honors Scholar. Tiemann is currently student teaching, and at WIU, she was the student representative to the WIU Board of Trustees, and was a student trustee, vice president and Centennial Honors College Senator for the Student Government Association (SGA). She also served on the WIU AgVocator Recruitment Team, was president and vice president of Women in Business, was a member of the WIU Agronomy Club and conducted two years of cover crop research at the WIU Agronomy Farm, the results of which were presented at two national Agronomy contests for undergraduate students. Off campus, Tiemann is a member of the Missouri Cattlemens Association, the LaGrange United Methodist Church and an ASA, CSSA, SSSA National Agronomy and Soil Conservation tri-society m
ember. After graduation, Tiemann will become a program coordinator for the Adams County University of Illinois Extension Office for the Ag-in-the-Classroom program. She also hopes to pursue a master's degree in crop science/regenerative agriculture and to expand a small business she started in high school, called Square Rooted, which markets farm-to-table meat and canned produce from her family's farm. Tiemann is the daughter of Jon and Kendra Tiemann.
College of Education and Human Services Scholar
Jocelyn Pantoja (Waukegan, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and a minor in Psychology, with highest academic distinction, summa sum laude. She is also the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Departmental Scholar, and a Centennial Honors Scholar. At WIU, Pantoja is a volunteer and secretary at the campus Food Pantry, is secretary of the campus Minorities in Blue chapter, is a member of the Psi Chi international honor society for psychology, and is a member of the Centennial Honors College. Off campus, Pantoja is a scholar recipient of the Pullman Foundation, and is an intern with the Buffalo Grove Police Department. After graduation, Pantoja's goal is to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Evanston Police Department. She is the daughter of Maria Guadalupe Vargas and Sergio Pantoja Reyes.
College of Fine Arts and Communication Scholar
Lauren Antoniolli (Aurora, IL) graduates with bachelor's degrees in French Horn Performance and Music Education, with a minor in Sociology,with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Music Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar. At WIU, Antoniolli has served as president of Mu Phi Epsilon, an international music service fraternity, has served as a special projects officer and a second lieutenant at Western Emergency Medical Services (WEMS), was vice president for WIU's chapter of the National Association for Music Education, and is a member of several honor societies, including Sigma Tau Delta. Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Order of Omega and Rho Lambda. She also participated in WIU's alternative spring break program, is a member of WIU's Music Teachers National Association, is a grant recipient through the national organization to receive Performing Arts Medical Association training, an alumna member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, serving as ed
itor, historian and treasurer of ASA's Beta Kappa Chapter, and participated in the WIU School of Music Ambassadors. Off campus, Antoniolli serves on the International Horn Society's Student Advisory Committee, participated in Drum Corps International organizations, including Phantom Regiment, The Academy, Music City and Pioneer. She also organized a team of WIU students to participate in the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge, and is currently taking French horn lessons through a private studio through the Slatter Scholarship Program. After graduation, Antoniolli hopes to complete a post baccalaureate program for pre-medicine and then attend medical school. She said she realized her interest in medicine working in WIU's WEMS program. Antoniolli is the daughter of Rob and Rhonda Antoniolli.
University Libraries/Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Scholar
Susan Reed (Wheaton, IL) graduates with a bachelor's degree in General Studies and a minor of Sociology. She is also the General Studies Departmental Scholar. At WIU, she was a member of the WIU's Beta Chapter of the Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at WIU. Off campus, she is active with the College of DuPage Fuel Pantry, Ronald McDonald House Charities and St. Sophia's Forgotten Felines. After graduation, Reed said she would like to participate in public policy work, and more specifically in the area of healthcare.
Centennial Honors College Scholar
Sofija Micevic (River Grove, IL) graduates with bachelor's degrees in Marketing and Art-Graphic Design, with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also the Marketing Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar. At WIU, Micevic has served as the vice president of marking and vice president of chapter operations for the Delta Sigma Pi-Professional Business Fraternity, is a student worker in WIU's School of Accounting, Finance, Economics and Decision Sciences, and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Sigma Iota Epsilon, serving as secretary, and of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Centennial Honors College. After graduation, Micevic plans to pursue her MBA at WIU, with a focus in marketing. After that graduation, her goal is to have a career in marketing research or advertising, as well as doing freelance graphic design. She is the daughter of Magdalena and Ranko Micevic.
The Fall 2022 Convocation speaker is Tiemann. Her speech is titled, "Success Despite Failures."
Other scholars include (by state, county and zip code):
Illinois
Adams
Mendon (62351) – Cole Thompson, Physical Education K-12, is the Physical Education Scholar, and will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Quincy (62305) – Susan Crawford, Sociology, is the Sociology Departmental Scholar.
Cass
Beardstown (62618) – Jesus Nava, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Chandlerville (62627) – Hannah Carlock, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Champaign
Penfield (61862) – Nicole Sprague, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Clay
Flora (62839) – Abigail Gindlesberger, English, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Cook
Berwyn (60402) -- Melissa Gonzalez, Marketing, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Chicago (60628) – Ashunti Westbrook, English, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Chicago (60639) – Isabel Rivera, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Chicago (61647) – Eleodoro Roman, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. He is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Elk Grove Village (60007) – Hannah Shulman, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Forest Park (60130) -- Jennifer Jargstorf, Biological Sciences, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Lansing (60438) – Tatiana Ward, Art, is a Centennial Honors Scholar.
DeKalb
Hinckley (60520) -- Brian Bohannon, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Sycamore (60178) – Samantha Pryor, Middle Level Education – Science, is the Middle Level Education Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
DuPage
Lisle (60532) – Justin Nguyen, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, is the Cyber Security Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with high academic achievement, magna cum laude. He is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Naperville (60563) – Bryan Chovan, Economics, is the Economics Departmental Scholar.
Ford (60936) – Garrett Wright, Agriculture, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Fulton
Astoria (61501) – McKenzee Perry, Physical Education K-12, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Canton (61520) – Curtis Norton, Computer Science, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Greene
White Hall (62092) – Lucas Elliott, Physics, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Grundy
Verona (60479) – Kylie Winsor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Hancock
Carthage (62321) - Emily Fielden, Communication, is the Communication Departmental Scholar, and she graduates with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Hamilton (62379) - Zoe Hughes, Art, is the Art-BFA Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Henry
Geneseo (61254) – Nichole Lewis, Elementary Education, is the Elementary Education Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude; Deanna Palm, English, is the English Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Kewanee (61443) – Evelin Martinez, Foreign Languages and Cultures, is the Foreign Languages and Cultures Departmental Scholar.
Orion (61273) - Max Lillibridge, Engineering Technology, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Kane
Aurora (60505) – Elizabeth Morales, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Kankakee
Kankakee (60901) - Aldo Hernandez, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Kendall
Plano (60545) – Kyleigh Rogers, Broadcasting and Journalism, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Lake
Lake Zurich (60047) – Addison McGrath, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
LaSalle
Streator (61364) – Michael Elias, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Livingston
Dwight (60420) – Lucy Rieke, Music, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Fairbury (61739) – Colton Cottrell, Musical Theatre, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Mason
Havana (62644) -- Desiray Meyer, Engineering, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Mercer
Viola (61486) – Amber Luker, Elementary Education, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
McDonough
Colchester (62326) – Robin Butler, Music, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Macomb (61455) – Kaylee Agans, Art, is the Art-BA Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar; Delaushea Fricks, Health Services Management, is the Health Services Management Department Scholar; Paige Sargeant, Agriculture, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude; Elizabeth Willson, Psychology, is the Psychology Departmental Scholar and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
McHenry
Lake in the Hills (60156) Lindsey Manley, Management, is the Management Departmental Scholar.
Village of Lakewood (60014) – McKenna Dunn, Political Science, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Peoria
Mapleton (61547) – Abigail Lindsay, Music, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Peoria (61614) - Ashleigh Ellis, Foreign Languages and Cultures, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Princeville (61559) – Paige Rock, Psychology, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Rock Island
Carbon Cliff (61239) – Solean Nunez, Accounting, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
East Moline (61244) – Cayleigh Marshall, Elementary Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Hampton (61256) – Calie Walker, Elementary Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Moline (61265) – Malia Bollinger, Elementary Education, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Rapids City (61278) – Scott Murphy, Agriculture, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Silvis (61282) – Isabel Trulson, Theatre, is the Theatre-BA Departmental Scholar.
Schuyler
Rushville (62681) – Savanah Strunk, Social Work, is the Social Work Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
St. Clair
O'Fallon (62269) – Miya Christensen, Math, is the Mathematics Departmental Scholar and a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Stark
Toulon (61483) – Gregory Knowles, Construction and Facilities Management, is the Construction and Facilities Management Departmental Scholar.
Stephenson
Lena (61048) – Christina Schubert, Biological Sciences, is the Biology Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Tazewell
Washington (51571) – Kaylee Hietter, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.
Warren
Kirkwood (61447) – Darrin Ross, English, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. He is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Whiteside
Morrison (61270) – Casandra Reed, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Will
Lockport (60441) – Thalia Mercado, Political Science, is the Political Science Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with academic distinction, sum cum laude. She will also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Plainfield (60586) – Joy Taylor, Computer Science, is the Computer Science Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. She is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Other States
California
Big Bear City – Benjamin Lawrence, Fire Protection Services, is a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Iowa
Bettendorf – David Rickman, Accountancy, is the Accountancy Departmental Scholar; Kylie White, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, is the RPTA Departmental Scholar.
Danville – Wade Samples, Art, will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude.
Davenport – Prestyn Woods, Engineering Technology, is the Engineering Technology Departmental Scholar.
Dixon – Aimee Marple, Human Resource Management, is the Human Resource Management Departmental Scholar.
Mason City – Caden Kratz, Exercise Science, is the Exercise Science Departmental Scholar.
Michigan
Marquette – Nader Nouwairi, Supply Chain Management, is the Supply Chain Management Scholar, and will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Minnesota
Waite Park -- Logan Lommel, History, is the History Departmental Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa cum laude. He is also a Centennial Honors Scholar.
Missouri
Saint Joseph – Chloe Jones, Anthropology, is the Anthropology Departmental Scholar and will graduate with academic distinction, cum laude.
Vichy – Tessa Luechtefeld, Musical Theatre, is the Musical Theatre BFA Scholar, and will graduate with highest academic distinction, summa` cum laude.
Oregon
Chiloquin – Madeline Hall, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, will graduate with high academic distinction, magna cum laude.