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• College of Applied Health Sciences
• Kinesiology and Community Health (KCH)
• Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST)
• Speech and Hearing Science (SHS)
• i-Health

Danielle Cruise
Danielle graduated in May with highest honors and will begin studies toward a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall. She enjoys working with older adults as well as children with disabilities. An Edmund J. James Scholar and James Newton Matthews Scholar, Danielle volunteered extensively in the community, served as a community wellness intern with a retirement village in Urbana, and volunteered at a center for individuals with cerebral palsy in Granada, Spain.

Leadership Award

Megha Mathur
Megha will be a junior next year and is focusing her studies on Health and Diversity. She plans to complete undergraduate degrees in i-Health and in Spanish, and hopes to complete graduate degrees in both Business Administration and Public Health. Megha hopes to work in the area of health policy with an organization such as the World Health Organization. She serves as the director of advocacy for Colleges Against Cancer, and facilitates workshops for students at the Illinois Leadership Center.

Interdisciplinary Award

Kirstyn Hill
Kirstyn completed her studies in May and will begin studies toward a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Kentucky this fall. Eventually, she hopes to work at the administrative level in a clinic or hospital within an underserved community. Kirstyn has worked as a scribe in the Emergency Department of Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, and volunteered in the pharmacies of both Presence and Carle Foundation Hospital. She is a two-time recipient of the Illini Union You Make the Difference Award as well as an Office of Minority Student Affairs Academic Excellence Award.

Optimist Award

Jensen Rafool
Jensen graduated in May with high honors. Her career goal is to become an optometrist. She eventually would like to have her own practice in an underserved community. Jensen has volunteered at Crisis Nursery and University Primary School, and served an internship with Illini Eye Care. She was an Edmund J. James Scholar in the College of Applied Health Sciences.

Community Service Award

Michelle Chan
Michelle begins her junior year of studies in the fall and is focusing on Health and Aging. She plans to attend medical school. Michelle began her volunteer activities in high school. Her recent volunteer experiences have been based in hospitals, including Carle Foundation Hospital. She is an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Transfer Student Award

Kimberly Trepel
After transferring to Illinois from Joliet Junior College, Kimberly completed her degree in May, graduating with honors. She will begin work toward a Master of Public Health degree at Illinois in the fall. Ultimately, she hopes to work for either the Centers for Disease Control of St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Kimberly served an internship with the Circle of Friends Adult Day Care Center in Champaign, and has volunteered at the Champaign County Nursing Home and Heartland Health Care Center in Champaign.

Rising Star Award

Bria Ciganovich
Bria is focusing her i-Health studies on Health Behavior Change and is looking forward to completing a degree in Nursing at Illinois. She plans to attend graduate school at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with a goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist. Bria has volunteered with nursing homes, food banks, and blood drives, and helped to raise money for women’s cardiac care. She is active in i-Heal, the student organization of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program, the American Medical Student Association, and the Nurse’s Student Organization.

Peter J. and Ella Montaleone Scholarship

Passang Gonrong
Passang will begin her junior year in the fall and is focusing on Health Diversity. She plans to go to medical school to become a pediatrician, and hopes to work with underserved populations. Passang is a facilitator for I-Connect, a mandatory program for first-year and transfer students, and served an internship with Intercultural Horizons, a program that encourages cross-cultural communications. She also volunteers at Refugee Tutoring and University Place Church. A member of Students for a Free Tibet, Passang was one of three students chosen to participate in the Non Violence Essay Contest. She read her essay for an audience that included the Dalai Lama, and had the opportunity to talk with him one-on-one.

Kinesiology and Community Health

Undergraduate Awards

Reginald J. Alston Award for Excellence

Trace McClintock
Trace graduated with high honors in May and will begin studies toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in the fall. His career goal is to provide physical therapy services to underserved populations around the world. Trace worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Danville, Illinois, throughout his undergraduate career, accruing more than 500 hours of observing physical therapists. He also served as an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Laura Rice, and was on the executive board of the pre-health honors society Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Joanne M. Carraway and Charles M. Carraway Scholarship

Margaret Frodin
Maggie will complete her degree in Community Health with a focus on Health Planning and Administration next year. She plans to obtain a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration or Public Health before embarking upon a career in hospital administration. Maggie served an internship with Medspeed, a healthcare transportation company. She also was a facilitator for the Alcohol Culture Explored Interactive Theater, which reached more than 300 transfer students and freshman. She has volunteered extensively on campus and in the community, including for AHS events.

Jeanette Hui
Jeanette graduated with highest honors in May after completing concentrations in both Health Planning & Administration and Health Education & Promotion within Community Health. In the fall, she will be a student in the Master of Public Health program here at Illinois. She served an internship in the Inpatient Case Management Department of Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana and participated in a healthcare mission trip to an impoverished community in Costa Rica in 2014.

Amy Pesch
Amy graduated with highest honors in May, and was one of only three Kinesiology seniors to receive Bronze Table honors. As a physical education teacher, she hopes to advance a model that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to be active throughout their lives. She completed student teaching assignments at South Side Elementary School in Champaign and Mahomet-Seymour High School. An Edmund J. James Scholar, Amy received the 2015 University of Illinois SHAPE America Major of the Year Award, the 2014 Carita Robertson Physical Education for Women Scholarship from the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, and 2013 and 2014 John Cox Scholarships from the PGA of America.

Jeffrey Steinberg
Another Bronze Table honoree, Jeffrey graduated with highest honors in May. His undergraduate degree focused on K-12 Physical Education Teacher Education. He begins studies this fall toward a master’s degree in pedagogy at Illinois. Jeffrey was a research assistant in the Pedagogical Qualitative Research Lab and helped to train dogs through the Illini Service Dog program. As a student teacher, he coached boys’ basketball and girls’ and boys’ volleyball, and hopes to coach high school volleyball in his career. Jeffrey also received the Carraway Scholarship in 2014, as well as a Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship from the Society of Health and Physical Educators, a Student Scholarship from the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and a Major of the Year Award from the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Carol L. Chittenden Scholarship

Emily Frerichs
Emily will complete her degree in Community Health in December, with a focus on Health Planning and Administration. She plans to continue her studies toward a master’s degree in Health Administration. She was a member of a research team that investigated whether hospitals run by women performed differently than those run by men, examining such data as total revenue, revenue from Medicare, patient satisfaction, and readmission rates.

Vivian Villegas
Vivian will be a junior in Kinesiology in the fall and plans to pursue a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. As a research assistant in the Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab, she learned to run VO2 max tests and DXA scans. She has also volunteered at Carle Foundation Hospital, where she observed occupational therapists in outpatient and acute care units. An Edmund J. James Scholar and Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program Scholar, Vivian has received the Seward C. Staley Scholarship from KCH, as well as a President’s Award Program Honors Scholarship and FMC Award of Excellence.

Community Health Alumni Award

Clare Tang
Clare completed her first year in the Community Health program in May and hopes to be accepted into the combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program. She is interested in both hospital administration and health education and promotion. She served as a research assistant in the Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab and as an assistant teaching assistant in a medical ethics class. Clare also volunteered in the activities department of a local nursing and rehabilitation home. She has been inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society as well as Alpha Delta Epsilon, the pre-health professionals organization on campus.

Community Health Leadership Award

Qiling Chen
Qiling will graduate next May with a degree focused on Health Planning and Administration and plans to obtain a master’s degree in Public Health. She assists with patient care as a volunteer in Carle Foundation Hospital’s One Day Surgery Center. A Dean’s List honoree, Qiling has received an Academic Excellence Award from the Office of Minority Student Affairs.

F. Patricia Cullen Scholarship

Maria Bohri
After graduating next year, Maria plans to obtain a master’s degree in Public Health with an emphasis on global health. Eventually, she would like to focus her career on evaluating health programs for at-risk populations. Maria served as a project manager for a Learning in Community course, in which her group addressed issue related to fluorosis and sanitation in rural villages in India. She has volunteered at both Carle Foundation Hospital and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. A Dean’s List honoree, Maria received a Citizen Scholar Certificate from the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

Clara Mata
Clara begins her junior year in Kinesiology in the fall. She plans to obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and to focus her practice on pediatrics. As a tutor for America Reads, America Counts, Clara helped students at Franklin Middle School in Champaign with math and Spanish. Last year, she volunteered with other bilingual students for the College of Medicine’s Camapña Salud, which provided free dental exams and blood pressure screenings to non-English speakers in the community. A Dean’s List honoree, Clara is an I-Promise Scholar.

Helga M. Deutsch Scholarship

Grace Harmon
After completing her degree in Kinesiology next year, Grace plans to obtain a master’s degree as a Physician Assistant. She has worked as a patient care technician at Carle Foundation Hospital and as a research assistant in the Motor Control Lab. She also has helped students adjust to college life as a Resident Advisor in Newman Hall. Grace is an Edmund J. James Scholar and Dean’s List honoree.

Eric Krzesinski
Eric completed his degree in Kinesiology with honors in May and has continued on to graduate work in Physical Therapy. He observed physical therapy practice in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings throughout his undergraduate career and volunteered at the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. As a research assistant in the Exercise Neuroscience Lab, Eric guided individuals with multiple sclerosis through exercise training routines to improve their balance, strength, and endurance.

Annie Zupan
Annie will pursue additional education and a career as a Physician Assistant after completing her degree in Kinesiology next year. She hopes to specialize in cardiology. A Dean’s List honoree, she has been a research assistant in the Exercise Neuroscience Lab and a volunteer in Carle Foundation Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center and Neuroscience Department. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Annie also worked in a nursing home.

Beulah Drom Scholarship

Shannon Parish
Shannon will complete her degree in Kinesiology next year. She plans to become certified as a personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Shannon has been a research assistant in the Exercise Technology and Cognition Lab, where she was involved in two projects. She also served as an orientation student leader with the New Student Programs office. This summer, she is spending seven weeks in Russia teaching high school and college students conversational English. A Dean’s List honoree, Shannon received a scholarship from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and served as an intern with the Eastern Illinois University football program.

Mariellen Veach
Mariellen will complete her degree in Kinesiology in December. She plans to obtain a master’s degree in Athletic Training. Her career goal is to work at the NCAA Division I collegiate level as an athletic trainer for football or basketball. She was a student athlete training aide for the University of Illinois football and volleyball teams and tutored athletes at the Irwin Academic Center. She also worked as a physical therapist technician at Accelerated Physical Therapy in Champaign as a research assistant in the Exercise Psychology Lab. An Edmund J. James Scholar and Dean’s List honoree, Mariellen is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity and the Order of Omega Honors Fraternity.

Aurelio E. “Joe” Florio Scholarship

Anais Cotillas
Anais will complete degrees in Community Health and Psychology in August. She will continue her studies here toward a Master of Public Health degree and hopes to work in a city or state public health department. She has been working with students with disabilities who participate in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. Anais also has served an internship as a social worker for Spanish-speaking individuals and individuals with disabilities who faced eviction from their homes. A Dean’s List honoree, she has received a President’s Award from the University of Illinois.

Ralph Geeseman Scholarship for Veterans

Tyler Olson
Tyler will complete his degree in Community Health next year with a focus on Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. His goals are to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and to become a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. He completed an associate’s degree in Kinesiology at Parkland College. Tyler is a National Strength and Conditioning Association-certified personal trainer. He has worked with wheelchair athletes as a volunteer with the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. He also has volunteered in acute care physical therapy at Carle Foundation Hospital. A Dean’s List honoree, Tyler has been a research assistant in the Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab. He also has been on active duty or in the National Guard for the Air Force for more than five years.

H.E. Kenney Memorial Scholarship

Erica Brady
Erica’s goal is to obtain her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University after completing her degree in Kinesiology next year. She hopes to work at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She has volunteered in the Inpatient Physical Therapy Department at Carle Foundation Hospital and worked with patients with spinal cord injuries as a volunteer at Marionjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Illinois. Erica also has been a research assistant in the Exercise Psychophysiology Lab. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, Erica received the 2013 Seward C. Staley Scholarship and the 2014 F. Patricia Cullen Scholarship from KCH.

Carita Robertson Physical Education for Women Scholarship

Aubrey Caraballo
Aubrey plans to obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree after completing her Kinesiology degree in 2017. As a research assistant in the Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Lab, she has been involved in studies addressing health and quality of life issues of individuals with chronic illness. A Dean’s List honoree and Edmund J. James Scholar, Aubrey volunteers in the community as a member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

Ashley Dinges
After completing her Kinesiology degree in 2017, Ashley plans to pursue a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. She hopes to become a certified hand therapist. She has spent time observing occupational therapists in a school setting and orthopedic practice. She has recently volunteered at Heartland Health Care Center in Champaign. Ashley is an Edmund J. James Scholar and a Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program Scholar.

Seward C. Staley Scholarship

Brooke Murawski
Brooke begins her second year of studies in Kinesiology this fall. She plans to become a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. She shadowed a physical therapist at Carle Foundation Hospital throughout her freshman year and joined the FITKids staff in the Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab to assist in the exploration of relationships between physical fitness and cognitive health in children.

Marianna Trekell Scholarship

Shannon McKevitt
Shannon will pursue graduate education in Physical Therapy after completing her degree in Community Health in 2018. She has shadowed physical therapists in healthcare centers throughout the Chicago area, observing their work with patients from six to 70 years old. An avid volunteer, Shannon has given her time to Elim Christian Services, Feed My Starving Children, and Mary Sears Chidren’s Academy. As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, she works year-round in support of the sorority’s philanthropy, CASA, which advocates for children in court.

Agnes Radich Vidovic Award

Melissa Marwitz
Melissa begins her junior year in Kinesiology in the fall. She plans to become a physical therapist. Last semester, she shadowed physical therapists in a variety of settings, including outpatient orthopedic therapy as well as inpatient acute care. She worked as an office assistant for the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health and is an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, for which she served as assistant vice president.

Anna Runck
Anna will complete her degree in Community Health in 2018. She plans to attend graduate school, focusing either on Gerontology or Occupational Therapy. Her ideal job would be in a Veterans Administration Hospital. An avid volunteer, Anna has donated her time to such organizations as Salt and Light Ministry, Ronald McDonald House, and Presence Covenant Hospital’s Center for Healthy Living. An Edmund J. James Scholar, Anna has received a Christie Foundation Scholarship and a Civil Employee Scholarship.

Roger Morse Outstanding Senior Scholarship

Danielle Rossi
Danielle graduated in May with high honors in Kinesiology. She has moved on to Northwestern University, where she will pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She worked as a personal trainer for Campus Recreation for two years, working with an international clientele. She also volunteered with Clark Lindsey Village, Leal Elementary School, the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. A member of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society and Dean’s List honoree, Danielle received a 2013 Beulah Drom Scholarship and a 2014 Carol L. Chittenden Scholarship from KCH.

Claire Stahl
After completing her degree in Community Health, Claire will pursue a Master of Public Health degree. She hopes to work with either the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization. Claire volunteered in the contracts administration department of Carle Foundation Hospital. She is a Dean’s List honoree and an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Kinesiology and Community Health

Graduate Awards

William H. Creswell Jr. Graduate Student Award

Mary Christoph
Mary is pursuing studies leading to both a Master of Public Health degree and a Ph.D. in Community Health focused on Epidemiology. She aspires to a career in academia, teaching and conducting research on nutritional epidemiology and population health. Mary’s bachelor’s degree in Biology is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research investigates how demographic and environmental factors impact the use of nutrition labels. In 2015, she received an Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition Award. She also has received a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Patricia Galvez Espinoza
After completing her Ph.D. in Community Health, Patricia will return to a position as a research professor at the University of Chile, where she completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition studies. Her research examines the food choices of Chilean women of low socioeconomic status, who have a significant influence on the food behavior of other family members. She is a research assistant in the Aging and Diversity Lab.

T.K. Cureton Physical Fitness Research Award

Jin Hee Jeong
Jin Hee completed her master’s degree in Kinesiology in May and is working on her Ph.D. She plans to seek a postdoctoral research fellowship and has the ultimate goal of securing a faculty position that will enable her to pursue her teaching and research interests in cardiovascular physiology. Her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and master’s degree in Mathematics Education are from Chungnam National University of South Korea. Jin Hee is exploring the efficacy of physical activity and nutritional interventions for improving cardiovascular disease risk in clinical populations.

Howard S. Hoyman Award

Ucheoma Nwaozuru
Ucheoma is pursuing a master’s degree in Community Health, with a focus on Epidemiology. She hopes to go on to an M.D./Ph.D. program and, eventually, a career in health research. Her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry is from Southwest Minnesota State University. Ucheoma’s research focuses on the improvement of maternal and child health as a means to strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. She is particularly interested in the impact of HIV and AIDS on child and maternal health. She is a graduate research assistant in the McKinley Health Education Unit.

Laura J. Huelster Award

Julene Ensign
Julene is pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus on Pedagogy. She completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology at Illinois. She holds a tenure-track position in Exercise and Sport Science at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where she teaches courses in physical education and supervises field experiences. Her research focuses on systematic measures of teaching effectiveness related to different school environments and curricular approaches. Julene is a certified personal trainer, a licensed K-12 physical education teacher, and a certified lay responder for CPR, Automated External Defibrillator, and first aid.

Brandon Kistler
Brandon will seek an academic position after completing his Ph.D. in Kinesiology. His bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and master’s degree in Exercise and Health Studies are from the University of Miami, Ohio. Brandon is working to develop guidelines for intradialytic nutrition for maintenance hemodialysis patients as well as lifestyle interventions that will make meaningful differences in their quality of life. An American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellow, Brandon was named the Midwest American College of Sports Medicine Graduate Student Scholar of the Year in 2013. He also received the Benjamin H. Massey Memorial Award and the T.K. Cureton Physical Fitness Research Award from KCH.

Yair Pincu
Yair will complete his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology in August. He will pursue an academic career and continue his research on the implications of obesity and diabetes on stem cell health and function. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Kaye College of Education in Beer-Sheva, Israel, and a master’s degree in Gerontology at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Through his research, Yair hopes to shed light on the extent to which exercise may reverse stem cell dysfunction in obesity and diabetes. He has received a Doctoral Student Research Grant from the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation, a Doctoral Fellowship from the ISEF Foundation, and a Fulbright Alumni Award.

Benjamin H. Massey Memorial Award

Elizabeth Awick
Elizabeth’s doctoral studies focus on Exercise Psychology. She plans to secure a postdoctoral position to expand her skill set before seeking an academic teaching and research position. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology also are from Illinois. As a graduate research assistant, Elizabeth has been involved in a large-scale, multi-site, National Cancer Institute-funded study focused on increasing physical activity among breast cancer survivors. Elizabeth received the 2014 Most Outstanding Student Abstract Award from the Physical Activity Speical Interest Group of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

Roger Morse Most Promising Graduate Student Award

Sarah Blackstone
After completing her Ph.D. in Community Health, Sarah plans to seek an academic position that will allow her to continue her research in global health. Her bachelor’s degree is from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Public Health degree is from Northern Illinois University. Sarah’s research examines how individual, community, healthcare provider, and systems-level factors coalesce to influence health behaviors within the context of culture. As a fitness instructor at the University of Illinois, she teaches classes in Zumba, cycling, and strength.

Michael Munroe
Michael’s doctoral work focuses on Exercise Physiology. He plans to remain in academia, where he can continue his research on improving patient therapies. His bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology is from Indiana University. He also attended the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Washington University in St. Louis. Michael is investigating the effects of nutritional supplementation on cognition and muscle function in younger and older populations. He plans to investigate the therapeutic potential stem cells have on disuse atrophy in older adults.

Ranadive Award

Gabriella McLoughlin
Gabriella plans to pursue an academic career after completing her Ph.D. in Kinesiology. Her research focuses on comprehensive school health. Her undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science is from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, and her master’s degree in Kinesiology is from Illinois. She is particularly interested in children’s health and obesity prevention. She is a graduate student member of the Education Policy Committee and the SHAPE America Research Council and has received the Roger Morse Most Promising Graduate Student Award from KCH.

Robert L. Sprague Thesis Award

Stephan Van Vliet
After completing his Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Stephan plans to seek an academic position and continue his research on protein metabolism. His undergraduate degree in Business Administration is from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and his master’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science is from the University of Chester, United Kingdom. His research addresses the influence of protein consumption on muscle mass maintenance in older individuals with sarcopenia and individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes. In 2014, he received a Space Physiology Research Grant from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Harriet and Ludwig T. Stoyke Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Deborah Linares
After completing her Ph.D. in Community Health, Deborah plans to work in either the government or nonprofit sector as an analyst to help reduce health disparities among minority and immigrant populations. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at Biola University in California and a master’s degree in Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on understanding and measuring cultural, psychological, and structural processes influencing women’s preventive health behaviors. She is a graduate assistant in the Aging and Diversity Lab. She received the 2013 William H. Creswell Jr. Graduate Student Award from KCH.

Brian Sandroff
Brian will begin a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology and neuroimaging at the Kessler Foundation in New Jersey after completing his Ph.D. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology also are from Illinois. A research assistant in the Exercise Neuroscience Lab, Brian is interested in the effects of exercise on cognition and brain health in individuals with neurological conditions. His doctoral research addresses the optimal exercise stimulus for improving cognition in people with multiple sclerosis. He previously received the Roger Morse Most Promising Graduate Student Award the T.K. Cureton Physical Fitness Research Award from KCH.

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Undergraduate Awards

John Bruce Capel Memorial Scholarship

Alexis McKay
Alexis will complete her degree next year and hopes to become an event planner. She worked at the front desk of the Atkins Tennis Center and also served as a game assistant for men’s and women’s matches. She also has worked as a registration assistant for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Summer Camp. Alexis volunteered as a peer advisor in RST and as a student ambassador for football, soccer, softball, gymnastics, and volleyball events. She currently is studying abroad in New Zealand through an RST course and will spend next fall at the University of Glasgow.

Margaret K. and Edward W. Harvey Scholarship

Katherine Trchka
Katie will complete her degree in 2017. Eventually, she hopes to obtain a master’s degree in the field and plans to pursue a career working with children and teenagers. She has been on the staff of YMCA Camp Kern in Oregonia, Ohio, and this summer is working at YMCA Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana. She is an active member of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, a Dean’s List honoree, and an Edmund J. James Scholar.

George and Mary Lowrey Memorial Scholarship

Eriel Davis
Eriel graduated with honors in May with a concentration in Sport Management. She will begin studies toward a law degree this fall and hopes to become a sports and entertainment attorney. Eriel interned with Patel Law in Champaign. She was a member of the Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball Team and a scholar in the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Achievement and Leadership Program. Eriel received an Office of Minority Student Affairs Scholastic Award, an Anita Terrell Memorial Scholarship, and a Mary and Duke Regnier Scholarship. Eriel also received this year's Floyd and Etta McAfee Award.

Schafaris Turner
Schafaris will graduate next year with a concentration in Sport Management. She hopes to work in event management for a college or high school athletic department. In the future, she plans to pursue both a master’s degree in Sport Management and a law degree. She worked for Campus Recreation as a facility manager and marketing intern and volunteered as a student ambassador for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Schafaris has been a peer advisor in RST and served as chair of volunteering for S.T.A.R. A member of the honor societies Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta, Schafaris is an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Charles K. Brightbill Memorial Scholarship

Thomas Siwek
Thomas graduated with highest honors in Sport Management in May. His career goal is to work in the front office for a professional sports team. Thomas has been an RST peer advisor, board member of S.T.A.R., and RST Ambassador on the AHS Council. He tutored athletes at Irwin Academic Services and was an assistant in the Academic Affairs Office of the College of Applied Health Sciences. An Edmund J. James Scholar, Thomas previously received a Mary and Duke Regnier Memorial Scholarship from RST.

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Graduate Student Awards

Christine Ziebarth Howe Graduate Student Award

Erin Morris
After completing her Ph.D. next year, Erin plans to seek a faculty position. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Whitman College and a master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University. Through her research, she hopes to improve the recruitment, retention, and experience of female athletes. Her dissertation focuses on organizational structure and support of girls’ hockey in the United States. She worked as a recreation assistant for the City of Walla Walla’s parks and recreation department and coached youth hockey. She currently volunteers as an assistant coach for the Twin City Derby Girls and is a member of the Illini Women’s Club hockey team.

Mary and Duke Regnier Scholarship

Daniel Bolsen
Daniel completed his master’s degree with a concentration in Sport Management in May. His ultimate goal is to be the director of athletics at a Division I institution in the Midwest. Daniel completed bachelor’s degrees in Arts in Communication and Sport Management at Eureka College. He was a tutor in the athletic department’s student support program and the Inclusive Illinois representative for athletics. Daniel was among only 200 graduate students nationwide to be selected by the NCAA to attend the organization’s Emerging Leaders Seminar. He also was chosen by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access to be one of four individuals on campus to participate in a panel on campus diversity and school spirit.

Erin McKenna
Erin will seek an academic position after completing her Ph.D. She hopes to lead educational travel programs in Latin America and plans to write a book on travel and tourism. Her bachelor’s degree is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree is from the University of Chicago. Erin’s research focuses on immersive tourism experiences in Latin America and explores issues such as authenticity, power, and tourism discourse. She has worked as an advisor to Latin American students who want to pursue degrees in the United States, and oversaw the immigration process for executives as a client services manager in Costa Rica. A former Graduate Fellow in the Lemann Institute for Brazilian Studies, Erin is a three-time recipient of a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education.

Speech and Hearing Science

Undergraduate Awards

Joan Good Erickson Award

Amy Diaz
Amy will complete her degree in 2017 with a focus on Audiology. She plans to obtain a Doctor of Audiology degree and hopes to serve children in underprivileged communities with limited access to health care. Amy’s volunteer experiences include working with children from first grade through high school freshmen at a summer softball camp, serving food at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen in Champaign, and assisting in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Champaign office. She is a Dean’s List honoree, Edmund J. James Scholar, and Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program Scholar.

Sylvia Wacker Herzog Scholarship

Alison Dey
Alison graduated as a Bronze Table honoree and with highest honors in May. She is continuing her education toward a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and hopes to work with children. She is particularly interested in pediatric hearing loss and aural rehabilitation for children who use cochlear implants or hearing aids. Alison was a research assistant in the Child Language and Literacy Lab, where she collected and analyzed data as an Edmund J. James Scholar for an ethnographic study of the influence of cultural-linguistic mismatch on teacher-child interactions in the classroom. She volunteered at the Carle Auditory Oral School and was an intern with The Autism Program, a state-funded network of resource centers.

Barbara Williams Hodson Scholarship

Samantha Labus
Samantha graduate in May with highest honors and as a Bronze Tablet honoree. She will begin studies toward a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology this fall. Her interests include phonological disorders, pediatric feeding and swallowing problems, and cognition problems in stroke patients. She was a research assistant in the Child Language Lab and volunteered in the reading intervention classroom for kindergarten and first-grade students at Carrie Busey Elementary School. She also worked with individuals with memory loss as a volunteer at the Champaign County Nursing Home’s Adult Daycare Center. An Edmund J. James Scholar, she completed a Leadership Certificate through the Illinois Leadership Center.

Frances L. Johnson Student Award

Matthew Ibrahim
Matthew will begin his third year of studies in SHS this fall and plans to obtain a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. He hopes to work in both hospital and school settings to help patients of varying ages with a range of communication disorders. He has been a research assistant in the Child Language Lab and is active in the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. He has volunteered in homeless shelters, raised money for the American Cancer Society, worked with older people in retirement homes, and mentored children at the Boys and Girls Club of Champaign.

Speech and Hearing Science Alumni Scholarship

Kylie Ritter
Kylie graduated with highest honors in May and will pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She hopes to work with children in a school setting. She has volunteered at Carle Auditory Oral School and worked as a camp counselor for the YMCA. A Dean’s List honoree, Kylie is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Speech and Hearing Science

Graduate Awards

Bob Bilger Graduate Student Award

Sarah Robinson
Sarah will complete her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering next year and will seek a postdoctoral research position. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Applied and Engineering Physics at Cornell University and her master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Illinois. Sarah is interested in applying engineering to the solution of problems in the areas of hearing and acoustics. She is a member of the Human Speech Recognition research group. Her doctoral research focuses on characterizing the acoustics of the ear canal and middle ear using acoustic reflectance. She is a Fellow in the University of Illinois Support for Under-Represented Groups in Engineering (SURGE) program.

Sara Schmidt
Sara is pursuing a doctoral degree in Neuroscience. She plans to seek a postdoctoral position that will enable her to continue her research into innovative neuroimaging data analysis. Her bachelor’s degree is from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Sara’s research uses neuroimaging techniques to better understand the neural bases of disorders such as tinnitus and hearing loss. In collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Mathematics, she has used automated hierarchical clustering analysis to separate people with tinnitus from those without tinnitus. From 2011 to 2013, her research was funded through a Neuroengineering Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) grant.

Phyllis Ariens Burkhead Memorial Fellowship

Suma Devanga
Upon completing her Ph.D. in 2018, Suma will seek a position that is strongly focused on research, clinical practice, and education. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Mysore in India. Suma is a member of the Discourse Analysis Lab, where she is conducting research on social-based interventions for individuals with aphasia and other neurogenic communication disorders. She was a student clinician for six years in India, working in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and audiology clinics. She received the 2014-2015 Vice Chancellor’s Public Engagement Award for “Talking Circles,” a community-based group focused on helping individuals with communication disorders.

Mary Kubalanza
Mary completed her Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science in May and will go into higher education. She completed her undergraduate degree at Bryn Mawr College and her master’s degree at Illinois. Through her professional work, Mary hopes to bridge the disciplines of Speech and Hearing Science, Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction to develop a service delivery model that enables speech-language pathologists to support children with language impairments within the classroom literacy curriculum. She co-developed a language-based literacy program called “Word Transformers” that was implemented in Garden Hills Elementary School. This is the second Burkhead Fellowship Mary has received. She also received the Ida Levinson Award for Distinction in Clinical Practice and the Elaine Paden Award from SHS.

Charles Lenell
After completing his Ph.D. in 2018, Charles plans to pursue a career in higher education. He hopes to use his clinical experiences in acute care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing to bridge science and application. His bachelor’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders is from Northern Illinois University and his master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders is from Eastern Illinois University. Charles’ research focuses on dysphagia and medical speech-language pathology. He currently is investigating neuromuscular and behavioral changes in the aging larynx that contribute to dysphagia.

Joan Good Erickson Award

Megan-Brette Hamilton
Megan-Brette plans to pursue an academic career after completing her Ph.D. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Hampton University and a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Maryland. Her research addresses the influence that language variation and culture have on communication interactions, with particular focus on African American youth in schools. A member of the Child Language and Literacy Lab, Megan-Brette also volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Champaign and the Big Sisters program. She has received the Chancellor’s Campus Engagement Award, a Graduate College Distinguished Fellowship Award, and a Graduate College Focal Point grant, as well as the SHS Phyllis Ariens Burkhead Memorial Fellowship.

Dean C. and Kathleen R. Garstecki Audiology Scholarship

Jaclyn Jansen
Jaclyn completed her Doctor of Audiology degree in May. She is beginning her career as an audiologist at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where she hopes to focus her practice on tinnitus management, cochlear implants, and both traditional and bone-anchored hearing aids. Her undergraduate degree also is from Illinois. As a member of the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Jaclyn examined patient and audiologist expectations for treatment and outcomes in tinnitus management. Jaclyn served as a student clinician at Carle, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and Bob Michel U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Peoria.

Nancy S. Hager Graduate Student Award in Speech and Hearing Science

Maeve McCartin
Maeve graduated in May with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is interested in working in early intervention to identify children who might be at risk for language impairments and in school settings with children who use assistive technology to communicate. Maeve completed her undergraduate degree as a Bronze Tablet honoree at Illinois. Her research examined the emerging verb lexicon of children who were at risk for language impairments and how their growth can be monitored through the use of parent report tools. She was a member of both the Applied Psycholinguistics Lab and the Discourse Analysis Lab. She also was the recipient of the H. William Porterfield, M.D., and Linda Obenauf Porterfield Speech and Hearing Graduate Fellowship.

Ida Levinson Award for Distinction in Clinical Practice

Clifford Olson
Cliff will complete his Doctor of Audiology degree in 2016. He plans to design new software that optimizes the hearing aid selection process. His bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science is from Lindenwood University. His research focuses on developing new methods to determine the effectiveness of hearing protectors that are used in industry and by the military. He hopes to maximize their performance and encourage increased usage. His fourth-year clinical externship will take him to the Arizona Ear Center in Phoenix.

Theodora Papastratakos
Theo graduated in May with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She will pursue certification in early intervention services in order to collaborate with and educate parents of children with communication impairments. She completed her undergraduate degree as a Bronze Tablet honoree at Illinois. As a research assistant in the Applied Psycholinguistics Lab, Theo investigated the language development of children, how parental input influences language development, and how to measure language growth to better inform clinical practice. She has applied her skills in such clinical settings as Carle Auditory Oral School, Palm Terrace Skilled Nursing Facility, and Chesterbrook Academy Preschool. Theo previously received the H. William Porterfield, M.D., and Linda Obenauf Porterfield Speech and Hearing Graduate Fellowship.

Lingua Health Bilingual Scholarship

Kayla Jordan
After completing her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology next year, Kayla plans to work in early intervention with diverse groups of children, including those from Spanish-speaking families, children with disabilities, and children from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Illinois as a Bronze Tablet honoree. Kayla participated in the Family Learning Program in Wheeling, Illinois, which provides educational and life skills classes to Spanish-speaking parents. She also has served an internship with The Autism Program and was an America Reads graduate coordinator for the International Prep Academy in Champaign.

Elaine Paden Award

Martha Sherrill
Martha is pursuing her Ph.D. and looking forward to making contributions to the field through a career in teaching and research. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English at Montana State University, her master’s in English at Kansas State University, and her master’s in Communication Disorders at Auburn University. She was a clinical speech-language pathologist for nine years, which gave rise to her research interest in such adult acquired neurogenic communication disorders as aphasia, cognitive deficits, motor speech disorders, and dysphagia. Martha presented a paper on animal-assisted therapy for adults with communication disorders at the 2015 Living With Animals conference.

H. William Porterfield, M.D., and Linda Obenauf Porterfield Speech and Hearing Graduate Fellowship

Michael Price
Michael completed his master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in May. He is particularly interested in working with individuals with dysphagia, polytrauma, and aphasia, and in providing training in low-tech augmentative and alternative communication to children and adults with language impairments in developing nations. Michael completed his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was a behavioral therapist working with children with autism spectrum disorder before coming to Illinois, where he has provided executive skills coaching to students with disabilities. He also has volunteered with the Traumatic Brain Injury support group at Carle.

Amy Strohman
Amy graduated in May with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She plans to continue doing research and hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science in the future. Amy’s undergraduate degree also is from Illinois. Her research focuses on differences between normal cognitive aging and cognitive aging affected by brain diseases such as dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment. She was a research assistant in the Aging and Neurocognition Lab, and was selected to work with clients with dementia in a skilled nursing facility for a pilot program called Life Story Intervention through Narratives and Conversation.

Ehud and Janie Yairi International Graduate Student Award

Anna Tendera
After completing her doctoral degree in 2019, Anna will pursue a career in higher education teaching and research, with a focus on stuttering. Her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, Translation and Interpretation is from Herzen State Pedagogical University in Russia. She has a master’s degree in German Studies from Illinois. A graduate assistant in the NeuroSpeech Lab, Anna is interested in speech disfluency from a multimodal perspective and is currently investigating speech rate development in early childhood. She has received a Fellowship Board Block Grant from the University of Illinois and a German Academic Exchange Service fellowship.

Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services

Dianne Bartz Berthold Scholarship

Scott Qualkenbush
Scott will complete his degree in Mechanical Engineering in December. He hopes to join Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), a company with which he completed an internship in 2014. Scott also has had internships with Orbital ATK and Watlow Electric. He is the chairman of Engineering Initiative and cofounder and president of Makers UIUC, a student organization for inventors.

Pamela Borelli & Family Achievement Award

Kevin Chowaniec
Kevin completed his undergraduate degree in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering in May. He is working toward a Master of Business Administration degree in hopes of launching an energy industry consulting business. An Edmund J. James Scholar in the College of Engineering, Kevin was an intern with the US Army Construction Engineering Research Lab. He also was a project manager with Illinois Business Consulting, from which he received an Outstanding Leadership Award.

Brianna Malin
Brianna will be a senior in Social Work this fall. Her goal is to develop emotional health programs for high school students. She created a position in her sorority called “Watch Care” to support the emotional well-being of the chapter’s more than 200 members. She also founded a registered student organization called Girl Talk to provide women within the Panhellenic system a safe place to express their individuality and talk about the pressures of college.

Chez Family Foundation Scholarship

David Kirby
David is working on a master’s degree in the School of Social Work. He hopes to start a private practice focused on the emotional health of young people with physical disabilities. His undergraduate degree in Psychology also is from Illinois. David has worked with the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois and served on the University of Illinois Disability Student Advisory Committee.

Mark McCarthy
Mark will complete his undergraduate degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures next year. He hopes to join a graduate program in Library and Information Science, with a specialization in foreign languages and literature. Mark was a communications intern for the Center of East Asian and Pacific Studies. He received the Scheidel Scholarship from the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics at Illinois.

Alexis Wernsing
Alexis is working on her undergraduate degree in Art History and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Art Education. She hopes to teach art at Lincoln Land Community College, from which she earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. Alexis has served as a teaching assistant for an online art appreciation course offered by Lincoln Land and was a teaching assistant for an Industrial Design class in disability and design.

Silvio and Loreta Corsetti Scholarship

Hanna Bansley
Hanna graduated with highest honors and as a Bronze Tablet honoree from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program in May. She will continue her studies in the College of Applied Health Sciences toward a master’s degree in Public Health before pursuing a career in health education and promotion. Hanna received the 2014 and 2015 Dad’s Association Scholarship and the 2015 Class of 1941 Memorial Excellence Scholarship. She has been a Resident Advisor for University Housing’s family and graduate housing division and is a volunteer voting member of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution’s Subcommittee on Undergraduate Student Conduct.

Elliott Borchardt
This fall, Elliot will begin his senior year in the Sport Management concentration of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. He plans to attend law school before embarking upon a career in operations within major league baseball. Elliott served as a student manager for the University of Illinois baseball team and was an intern with the Kane County Cougars, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. He is a Dean’s List honoree and an Edmund J. James Scholar in the College of Applied Health Sciences.

Grace Buenrostro
Grace will complete her degree in Industrial Design in 2018. Eventually, she would like to start her own company focused on helping businesses repurpose their waste products. As an Inclusive Program Assistant Intern for Campus Recreation, Grace initiated women-only fitness classes for students whose modesty standards or religious beliefs prevented them from participating in co-ed classes. She studied abroad in Costa Rica and helped to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on an alternative spring break.

Kelly Goetz
Kelly graduated in May with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning. She plans to attend graduate school before pursuing a career in regional transportation planning. Kelly served an internship with the Village of Western Springs, where she worked in the Community Development Department. She has volunteered locally with Courage Connection and the Champaign County Youth Detention Center.

Maxwell R. Garret Scholarship

Raymond Martin
Ray plans to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate degree in Statistics. Much of his time is spent in training for Paralympic competitions. He won four gold medals in London in 2012 and became the first athlete to win five gold medals at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in France. He was named the Paralympic SportsMan of the Year by the US Olympic Committee in 2012 and 2013. Ray also finds time to give back to the community by encouraging young athletes with disabilities to strive for greatness.

Kendra Zeman
Kendra will complete her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering next year. She plans to obtain a graduate degree before embarking upon a career in environmental consulting. Kendra served as an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Cincinnati on an investigation of the use of a novel platinum catalyst to improve hydrogen fuel cell efficiency. She is a member of the University of Illinois and Team USA wheelchair basketball teams.

Glenn Hebert Scholarship

Meridith Bradford
Meridith will complete her degree in Sport Management within the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism in 2017. She plans on a career in adaptive athletics. She is an assistant manager of the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams. In 2013, she served as the Inclusion Coach for the Middletown, New Jersey, Parks and Recreation Department. She is working with Disabled Sports USA to bring attention to the tethered, fixed outrigger bi-skiing technique that she developed.

Emily Penn
Emily will complete her master’s degree in Social Work next year, with a concentration in Mental Health. She plans to practice in individual and family therapy, as well as advocate for social justice. She begins her field education in August with the Community Resource and Counseling Center in Paxton. Emily co-facilitates a support group for incarcerated women who have children. She formerly worked as a mental health technician at The Pavilion Behavioral Health System.

Maggie Phan
Maggie is pursuing her Ph.D. in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism. She has a Master of Public Health degree from Illinois, a master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Science from Emory University, and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. With a grant from the University of Illinois’ Health Transitions in Immigrant Families Initiative, she is studying dietary patterns within the Mexican immigrant population of Champaign. Maggie is a Community Aide at Orchard Downs, where she helps new graduate and post-doctoral students and visiting scholars adjust to the University of Illinois community.

Anne Hopkins Scholarship

Kelly Atkinson
Kelly graduated in May with a degree in the Teaching of Spanish from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She hopes to teach Spanish in a low-income district. She enhanced her Spanish language skills in the Instituto San Joaquin De Flores as part of the Costa Rica Study Abroad Program and is a member of Mi Pueblo, which brings students together to practice conversational Spanish. Kelly has tutored students in both Centennial and Champaign Central high schools and also volunteered in the Physical Therapy Department of Carle Foundation Hospital.

Carol Ann Kostka Award

Chiara Pesa
Chiara is working on degrees in Chemistry and Psychology. She hopes to pursue a career in the cosmetics industry, and eventually create her own line of all natural products. She served an internship at Russell Design in Winnetka and volunteered with the Circle of Friends Adult Day Care Center in Champaign. An active member of student chapter of the American Chemical Society, Chiara has received the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Access and Achievement Program certificate of highest distinction for three consecutive semesters.

Donald W. Krumrey Scholarship

Antonio Castillo
Antonio completed his bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering in May. He plans to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to work as a project manager in the technology industry. As a volunteer for the Engineering Outreach Society, he assisted with school-based experiments related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) concepts.

Alexis Miles
Alexis begins her final year of studies toward her degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology this fall. She plans to pursue graduate education in a Physician Assistant program, with an eye toward practicing in pediatric cardiology and oncology. Alexis volunteered at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician with Illini Emergency Medical Services.

Joseph R. Larsen Award

Elizabeth Morse
Libby will complete her undergraduate degree in Political Science next year, with a concentration in Civic Leadership. With a minor in Art and Design, she hopes to apply design thinking to public policy in order to make government more effective and accessible. She was an intern in Illinois Senator Richard Durbin’s Springfield office. She will spend the fall semester in Washington, D.C., as part of the Illinois in Washington program. Libby was a participant in the 2015 Symposium of the Cline Center for Democracy.

Jeffrey I. and Lisa Livovich Award

Wyatt McAllister
Wyatt will graduate next year with his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He plans to complete both a master’s and Ph.D. before starting his own company. He was an intern with a startup company called ViewRay, which creates systems that use magnetic resonance imaging to deliver targeted radiation therapy to cancer patients. This summer, he is serving an internship with Microsoft. Wyatt received a Konicek Family and Lisa Foundation Merit Scholarship, a Rene G. Biber Scholarship, and a Robert Maynard Hutchins Scholarship.

Irl H. Marshall Scholarship

Joe Benassi
Joe will complete his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in December. He plans to pursue a career as a software engineer at a large technology company. As an intern with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, he created JCAT (Java Command and Telemetry), a lightweight, open-source ground system used for rapid prototyping of applications on embedded spacecraft processors. He also interned with Microsoft and is working with Google this summer. Joe is an Edmund J. James Scholar in the College of Engineering.

Beatrice Chen
Beatrice is working on a master’s degree in the School of Social Work. She plans to be a clinical mental health counselor, specializing in the care of veterans and active duty members of the military. She served as a Military Social Work intern with the Salvation Army in Champaign. She also has shadowed social workers at the Champaign County Christian Health Center. As a research assistant, Beatrice was involved in investigating depression during pregnancy.

Jeffrey Ruser
Jeffrey begins his senior year as a Psychology major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences this fall. He is interested in sports psychology and hopes to help athletes perform better on and off the field. He is a research assistant on a study within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health of the mental processes of golfers. He also completed an internship with the Danville Riverhawks, a professional basketball team, and worked as an assistant coach for the World Class Basketball Association. He is a member of Illini Pride, Block I, and Orange Krush.

Morse-Hedrick Scholarship

Olivia Morrison
Olivia will complete her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology next May. She plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and hopes to work in an outpatient clinic. She has volunteered as a recreational therapist aide at Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana and is a research assistant in the Motor Control Lab, which investigates behavioral and physiological perspectives on how the central nervous system controls movements in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Mary Jane Neer Scholarship

Derek Hoot
Derek will be junior in the fall and is working on a degree in Political Science. He plans to attend law school and hopes to have a career in either the legal or government sector. He has worked with Salvation Army’s Canteen Truck, which provides meals and toiletries to homeless people in Champaign-Urbana. Derek is a member of the University of Illinois men’s wheelchair basketball team and participates in i-Connect, a diversity and inclusion seminar for incoming freshmen and transfer students.

Elon Roland
Elon is working toward an undergraduate degree in Communication with a minor in Business. He served an internship in communications and outreach with the Wesley Food Pantry on campus. He also spent several months with Sunny Broadcasting as a sales intern. He also has worked as an instructional computing consultant with Campus Information Technologies and Education. As a participant in the Division of General Studies Leaders program, Elon helps first-year students to make the transition to college life.

Jodi Silverman
Jodi is pursuing a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. She plans to focus her career on serving youths with special needs in a library setting by utilizing universal design and inclusion programming. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Rutgers University. As an intern for the New Brunswick, New Jersey, Free Public Library, Jodi develops and executes multicultural programming. She also volunteers with the Puerto Rican Action Board, which provides services to low- and moderate-income families.

Mikko Tuomela
Mikko will complete his Ph.D. in Informatics next year. He plans to be a top scholar in the field of information analysis and visualization. He has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and a master’s degree in Information from the University of Michigan. His research combines sentiment analysis with web augmentation to develop new web interfaces for text analysis and visualization of textual features. He is a research assistant in the University of Illinois Research Park, working first with John Deere Technology Innovation Center and then with Caterpillar Simulation Center.

Subria Whitaker
Subria will be a senior in Communication in the fall. She plans to obtain additional degrees in Business Administration and Law with the goal of becoming a sports agent. She hopes to found a nonprofit organization for youth development. She was an intern for the Big Ten Network and worked in the Office of Volunteer Programs. She also has been a marketing assistant for Campus Recreation and a marketing volunteer for Fighting Illini Athletics. In addition, she has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Champaign County and the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club.

Grace Williams
Grace will be a junior in Psychology in the fall. With a minor in Community-based Art Education, she hopes to become a licensed clinical psychologist and art therapist. She works as a photography assistant for the Spurlock Museum and is president of the Life Drawing Club on campus.

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Scholarship

Megan Blunk
Megan completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Illinois and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work. She plans to become a counselor and motivational speaker. Working with the “Think First” program, she has visited grade schools and high schools to encourage youth to consider the consequences of the choices they make. A member of the University of Illinois women’s wheelchair basketball team, Megan has served as a coach at wheelchair basketball camps. She won two silver medals at the 2013 Paracanoe World Championships in the 200-meter kayak and va’a races.

Taylor Hattori
Taylore will complete his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering in December. He plans to work for the aerospace industry after graduation. His graduate studies have focused on aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, and propulsion. He has worked on high-lift aerodynamics operating in ground effect, combustion in hybrid rocket engines, and supersonic flow in rocket engine thrust chambers. Taylor is a member of the University of Illinois wheelchair track team.

Luis Jovel
Luis will be a sophomore in the College of Engineering in the fall. He spent his last winter break putting in eight-hour days at a rehabilitation center in Baltimore. A participant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program, he has found learning to take care of himself difficult, but is enjoying the challenge and the freedom.

Arielle Rausin
Arielle will complete her bachelor’s degree in Management next year. She hopes to open her own business after completing a graduate degree. As an I-Connect facilitator for the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, she led freshmen in discussions of diversity. She also served on the Illinois Student Senate. Arielle has completed 13 U.S.A. Track and Field-certified marathons.

Timothy J. Nugent Award

Abbey Rosenberg
Abbey will be a junior in Special Education this fall and hopes to work with children with disabilities. She was a teacher’s aide at both the Child Development Lab and the Early Child Development Lab and volunteered as a teaching assistant for a class in rehabilitation. Abbey is a Dean’s List honoree and an Edmund J. James Scholar in the College of Education.

Matthew Allan Odelius Award

Daniel Escalona
Dan will complete his degree in News-editorial Journalism in 2016. He plans to obtain a master’s degree in Journalism and hopes to build a career in sports journalism for an online publication. He worked as a staff writer for the Daily Illini sports department and is currently a sports columnist. He also has volunteered as a mentor in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program, helping new residents adjust to life in Timothy J. Nugent Hall as well as at the University of Illinois.

Herbert G. Schaefer Scholarship

Sydney Pesko
Sydney will be a junior in the College of Engineering, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. She hopes eventually to start her own company. She completed an internship with Christopher Burke Engineering Ltd., an engineering consulting firm in Rosemont, assisting with projects on road realignments and drainage. She also was a member of the Formula SAE team, helping to build a competitive go-kart. An Illinois State Scholar, Sydney has received a Presidential Excellence Award, a Prairie State Achievement Award, and a Colombian Club of Chicago Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

Steven D. Serio Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Scholarship

Ryan Neiswender
Ryan will be a junior in the College of Applied Health Sciences, majoring in Kinesiology. He plans to become a physical education teacher. He is a member of both the University of Illinois men’s wheelchair basketball team and Team USA. He volunteers for basketball camps for able-bodied youth in his hometown of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, as well as for wheelchair basketball camps around the country. Ryan was named a 2014-2015 Collegiate All-American and received a USA World Championship Qualifier Gold Medal.

James E. Seybold Scholarship

Marshall Janevicius
Marshall will graduate next year with two bachelor’s degrees, one in Advertising from the College of Media and one in French Commercial Studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He plans to attend law school and to open his own business. He completed an internship in the Law Office of B.J. Farrell. During the Spring 2014 semester, he completed 15 credit hours of coursework taught in French at the Institut Catholique do Paris. Marshall co-founded the Videography Team of the American Advertising Federation of Illinois.

Bill Stewart Memorial Award

Dinah Armstead
Dinah is working on her Ph.D. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, with a focus on Global Studies in Education. She is a graduate research assistant in the Office of Community College Research and Leadership and a teaching assistant for a course that she co-developed that examines relationships between Africans and African Americans. A former test-taking strategies teacher for Upward Bound and the Office of Minority Student Affairs, Dinah completed her certificate in Technology Enhanced Teaching in the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Diego Espino
Diego completed his degree in Social Work in May and will begin studies toward his Master of Social Work degree this fall at Illinois. He hopes to work as a counselor for victims of domestic violence or child abuse. Ultimately, he would like to have his own practice. Diego has volunteered with the East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center, the University of Illinois Peer Recruitment Program, and La Casa’s Latino Youth Conference.

Donald W. Swift Scholarship