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Aurora University Senior Earns Top Student Honor
7/17/2009
AURORA, Ill. — Local residents were among Aurora University students, faculty and staff recognized at an annual Honors Convocation at Crimi Auditorium.
The convocation recognized students and faculty for academic achievements and campus contributions. AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick presided at the event.Heather Skeen of Loveland, Colo., an Aurora University senior psychology and English major, received AU's Spartan Award — the school's top student honor. A graduate of Loveland High School, Skeen is the daughter of Swaine and Patricia Skeen.
Skeen earned the Spartan Award for her scholarship and service to AU and the Aurora community. Her award was presented by Andrew Manion, AU provost. Faculty vote for the award for a senior who has made an outstanding contribution to university life during his/her university career.
To be nominated, a student must live the core values of Aurora University: integrity, citizenship, continuous learning and excellence, a GPA of 3.5 or above, and exhibit exemplary character.
Nominees also must meet at least two of the following selection criteria:
- Leadership in a recognized student organization that demonstrates the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in an educational setting.
- Leadership in a recognized athletic field that serves others for continuous learning and improvement.
- Service to the community indicative of respect, fairness and ethical conduct.
Denise Hatcher, associate professor of Spanish and 2008 Marcus and Mark H. Trumbo Excellence in Teaching Award winner, gave the keynote address.
Senior representatives of the 2007-2008 women's soccer and softball teams accepted the Jim Scott Award. Additionally, the first honors program graduates were recognized with applause.
Other award winners were:
Illinois
- Addison: Kelly Hoppensteadt, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Aurora: Konstadina Andriopoulos, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Meghan Brown, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Mary Ekstrom, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Andrew Grant, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Diane Mennecke, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Kristen Renninger, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Vincent Sandri, Ethel Tapper Humanities Award and Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Jana Tindall, Gertrude Banaszak Award; Scott Zinzer, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Bartlett: Jennifer Gara, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Bolingbrook: Jessica Hilliard, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Chadwick: Bryan Shore, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Chicago: Michael Marvel, Meritorious Faculty Award
- Crystal Lake: Megan Pflanz, Sharon Beverly Award
- Des Plaines: Michelle Griffith, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Downers Grove: Kristin Mueller, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Elburn: Justin Dimitri, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Alison Krueger, John Alexander Leadership Award and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Forsyth: Lindsay Augustine, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Franklin Grove: Jewellie Hochstein, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Freeport: Ellen Cassidy, Golden Apple Award and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Geneva: Emily Parris, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Amy Andrzejewski, Student Advocate Award
- Genoa: Karin Harmening, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Lisle: Bethany Okrie, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Montgomery: Anna de la Fuente, Eleanore and Samuel McFarlane Biology Award; Sarah Kimes, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Stephanie Oros, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- North Aurora: Lupita Martinez, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Leanne Sorg, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Oswego: Andrea Buss, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Kelly Makowsky, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Sean Noggle, Jennifer Worzala Award for Academic Excellence in Business and Leadership and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Peoria: Cory Cowan, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Plainfield: Jennifer Hansen, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Plano: Elizabeth Stark, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Rock Falls: Alesha Nance, Lincoln Laureate Award and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- St. Charles: Melissa Burnett, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Brandi Pfeifer, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Michele Romero, John McKee Citizenship Award
- Seneca: Megan Whalen, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- South Beloit: Chelsea Hathorn, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Springfield: Amanda Prather, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
- Streamwood: David Blancas, Stanley H. Perry Performing Arts Award
- Sugar Grove: Lauren Bieritz, Gold Ivy Leaf Award; Amy Manion, John McKee Citizenship Award
- Warrenville: Tatiana Gipson, George Williams Legacy Social Work Award
- Woodstock: Eric Hunt, Moses Crouse Religion Award; Christopher Jackowiak, Gold Ivy Leaf Award
Colorado
- Loveland: Heather Skeen, Gold Ivy Leaf Award>
Michigan
- Kalamazoo: Kelly Corstange, National Association for Sports and Physical Education Major of the Year and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
Wisconsin
- Oconomowoc: Kristin Persick, Senior Award, Kenneth Olenik Social Science Award and Gold Ivy Leaf Award
