2020 CAM PUS HONORS PROG R AM - Campus Honors Program
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2020
CHP A N N U A L
C AM PU S H O N O RS PROG R AM
INSIDE
1 Director’s Message
2 Reflections on COVID-19
5 First UI/CHP Astronaut Scholar
14 Honors Student Council Updates
CONTENTS
1 Director’s Message
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
2 Reflections on COVID-19
4 Fulbright Scholarship
4 CHP’s First Endowed Scholarship
5 NSEP Boren Award
5 UI/CHP’s First Astronaut Scholar
5 NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
5 Calvin Ke Award
5 CHP Wins Newsletter Award
6 Post-Graduation Plans of Recent Graduates
10 In the News
12 Undergraduate Research Symposium
14 Honors Student Council
16 SAS and KDR Updates
17 Equinox
19 Donors to the CHP Unlike previous years as Director of the Campus Honors Program, my Bailey, Trennedy Kleczewski, James Tiao, and Justin Tiao, with the
20 Campus Honors Program Award Winners first thought while writing the Director’s Message this year is to wonder Calvin Ke Award for outstanding student leadership and contributions.
2019-2020 how many of our students, faculty, friends, and alumni, have been
seriously impacted by COVID-19. Although all of us have experienced For me, the end of this year is particularly bittersweet because it is my
24 Alumni News
the need to socially distance, and many of us continue to work last year as Director of the Campus Honors Program. I have accepted
32 Faculty News
remotely, I hope very few have experienced the physical or financial a position as Interim Department Head in my home academic unit of
34 In Memoriam wrath of the virus. For me, it has been a lesson in appreciation. I am Kinesiology and Community Health. Given the challenging time in
35 Transitions reminded daily how much it means to visit family without worrying which we currently live, I felt the need to step up to the plate to help
36 Honors Living and Learning Community about infecting them, to hear the students climb the stairs to their lead our faculty and students through the coming year. Directing the
36 2019 Convocation classes in the Honors House, to interact with students and faculty Campus Honors Program over the past seven years has been the
37 CHP Graduation 2020 about their daily activities, to plan events with our dedicated staff, to greatest honor of my professional career, and I intend to remain in
celebrate with our students their successes through events like touch with the countless number of students who have impacted my
“
graduation, and to welcome alumni back to campus whenever they are life. They are the reason we work
kind enough to visit. Our lives have been impacted, but we will so hard and challenge ourselves
overcome this challenge and be stronger because of the many valuable to achieve at an even higher
lessons we have learned. Directing the Campus Honors level. Until an Interim Director
CAMPUS HONORS PROGRAM Program over the past 7 years is appointed, which should
This fall, many of our courses will meet in a synchronous format, in
1205 West Oregon Street which faculty can engage with students in real time. Although it will be has been the greatest honor of happen in the coming weeks,
I have agreed to continue in my
”
Urbana, IL 61801 more challenging to develop community in the way that in-person my professional career. role as Director.
(217) 244-0922
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 2019 instruction more easily enables, our faculty, staff, and Honors Student
Council members have been working hard over the summer months to
find unique and creative ways to engage students virtually. Ultimately,
Martin Luther King, Jr. eloquently stated, “The function of education
is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence
Dr. Kim Graber
CHP Director (through Summer 2020) the outcome will be a stronger program because we have learned how plus character — that is the goal of true education.” As I leave the
in the future to successfully engage students even when they may be position of Director, my wish is that each of you will use the education
Elizabeth Rockman CHP enjoyed welcoming first-year students to the Campus Honors Program studying abroad or engaging in remote internship experiences. We have you received at Illinois to help end the systemic racism that continues
CHP Associate Director
also acquired the skills and technology to invite our alumni to present in our nation and throughout the world. We have incredible power
on August 23, 2019! The Orientation began at a breakfast at the Illini Union guest lectures to students in a virtual format. to speak against racism and to lend our voices in demanding change,
Anne Price
with icebreakers, Steve Petruzzello was the Keynote Speaker, Antoinette especially in the spaces we occupy.
Prior to moving to online instruction after spring break, we had many
CHP Associate Director Burton informed students about the Illinois Program for Research in the achievements of which we are proud. We welcomed new students to I extend my deepest thanks to our alumni for their generous support
Humanities, and the program concluded with CHP orientation info provided campus during our annual Orientation breakfast at the Illini Union of the program, the faculty who commit themselves to educational
Tami Fazio and evening picnic at the Honors House. Nafissa Thompson-Spires, excellence, the staff who have become lifelong and trusted friends,
CHP Office Administrator by staff and HSC Executive Board students. acclaimed author of Heads of the Colored People, presented the Keith and our exceptional students who make this pandemic more difficult
Kelroy Convocation Lecture and spoke with students during an elegant
because we miss seeing them so much. I hope you and your family
Ankita Chadha Students attended a picnic at the Honors House later that afternoon, complete dinner. Our Honors Student Council hosted a series of lunch lectures
remain safe, healthy, and in good spirits in the coming year. Please stay
CHP Office Support Associate presented by deans from across campus, and facilitated fun evening
with a wonderful barbecue and desserts! It was a fun and informative start in touch and remain connected.
(through November 2019) events that included pumpkin carving, painting sessions, card making
to the CHP year. for children in hospitals, a murder mystery dinner, and game and movie Best wishes,
Amy Fitzjarrald nights. Our Scholar Adventurers Series events included a trip to the
Director of the Honors Living-Learning Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, campus tours of various facilities and
Community (as of January 2020) exhibits, and sessions that sparked student interest like Vampire Tales
from the Ancient World, the Fourth State of Matter, Social and Moral
Dr. Brian Moffitt Cognition, Acts of Faith by author Eboo Patel, The American Heartland Kim C. Graber, Ed.D.
Director of the Honors Living-Learning Myths and Connections, Food of the Gods, and many more. We Director, Campus Honors Program
Community (through July 2019) also honored long-time faculty member Helaine Silverman with the Professor and Interim Department Head,
King-Broadrick Allen Award for Outstanding Teaching, and Spenser Kinesiology and Community Health
Please send all future updates to Annual Editor
Elizabeth Rockman Above: Chancellor’s Scholars at Orientation BBQ
at rockman@illinois.edu Cover: Honors Student Council members
Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 1
REFLECTIONS ON
COVID-19
COVID-19 Reflection A CHP’s Alum’s Experience “careful planning has been the key to the Brigham’s response to the
By Neha Arun, Biology Thanks to J.P. Gerdt (2008 alumnus, LAS Chemistry), who passed pandemic” since she “has access to the gowns, gloves, masks, face
along a 4/29/20 story entitled “A Day in the Life of an ER Doctor” shields, and head coverings she needs, along with a reduced work
As every email and news article says, in this “unprecedented time,” I from The Harvard Gazette about Anita Chary (2008 alumna, LAS schedule — an effort by administrators to keep the workforce as safe
think I’m taking the current situation as a break from the busy life I Chemistry and Anthropology) about her work fighting COVID as a 3rd and healthy as possible.” Anita says, “I actually feel very privileged and
usually have at college to create my “new normal.” Of course, I’m year ER Resident at a Harvard Medical School hospital. lucky that I can be among the physicians who are serving patients in
thankful that I am safe enough to be able to do this, and I definitely this time, when they truly need us to take care of them. I think many
miss my friends and college life. Life is definitely different without my The article, which is located at https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/ people go into medicine with this desire to heal the sick, and I feel like
frequent bubble tea trips, and I’m constantly reminded that the world 2020/04/third-year-resident-describes-a-day-in-the-life-of-an-er-doctor, I’ve never been prouder to be a physician.”
around my home bubble is in a crisis. (For example, the grocery store details a ‘normal’ day in the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine
restricts my six-person family to a single banana per week due to Residency Program, from her early morning walk from her apartment
“
shortages.) I’m glad that I was able to accept the situation relatively to the Brigham and Women’s
quickly, so I could tell myself to make the best of it since I can’t change Hospital in the Longwood COVID-19 Response
what’s happening. I decided to take this time to focus on things I Medical Area, where she works By Gail Schneiderman, FAA Graphic Design
pushed to the back burner during the regular school year. I actually feel very privileged with many patients who “arrive
In response to COVID-19, I created positivity posters. These posters
and lucky that I can be among with complications related to aim to spread some motivation, inspiration, validation, and happiness
I’ve restructured my week so that I do most of my work the first three the novel coronavirus, requiring
to four days, so I can have an extended weekend for the rest of the the physicians who are serving more involved, sometimes during these tough times. The color scheme was chosen due to its
”
calming, simple, and welcoming atmosphere. The quotes were selected
week. I was always too busy to do much with my family in high school, patients in this time. intensive treatment,” and who
based on their relevance and ability to spark motivation, inspiration,
so I’m glad I’ve been given some time back to spend with them. During she must divide “into three
these “relaxation” days, my activities range from watching nature categories: those who are well enough to leave and recover at home; or validation.
documentaries to cooking and baking things I never thought I could those who must be admitted because they need oxygen to help them
make without burning. In this project, I explored using type as image and creating balance and
breathe; and those who need intensive care and a ventilator.” Anita
movement within a piece. I also experimented with creating a cohesive
notes that “I think there is a weight that you feel when you sense that
Since I’ve been able to look at things with a positive attitude, I also set of designs that are strong on their own and work well together as a
you are going to be the last person to talk to someone or spend any time
wanted to make myself useful because I know most of the world isn’t group. I really enjoyed creating these posters since they combined two
with that person when they are awake and alert,” with the context that
having a fun “break.” On a personal level, I like to talk to my friends of my favorite activities: art and collecting inspirational quotes.
“at the urging of the hospital’s palliative-care team, Chary and her
quite often with apps like Zoom or Houseparty, because not seeing my colleagues are having patients requiring a ventilator record messages to
friends is the one aspect of my life that isn’t the same and I feel the loved ones on their phones before they are sedated.” There are notes of
worst about. On a global scale, since I can’t conduct HIV research Chancellor’s Scholar Gail
hope and optimism, with Anita, who is also a clinical fellow in Schneiderman’s artwork
anymore, I’ve signed up for opportunities like “Crowdfight Covid-19” emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, confirming that
and “RapidRona,” so I can at least
attempt to make a difference by
helping people.
Though I definitely miss things
Alice Foreman (2010 alumna, LAS Earth Sophia Ebel (LAS Comparative Literature): in English, German and math using virtual
like relaxing in the Campus
Systems, Environment, and Society) in “I had been planning to study abroad this platforms. That this is even a possibility has
Honors House with a hot cup of
March 2020: “What a crazy time to be alive, fall semester in Vienna, Austria. Since fall really emphasized for me how interconnected
tea, I’m glad that I was able to
take advantage of my comfortable huh? I’m surviving here, teaching remotely study abroad was canceled I’ve been in we are able to be today globally thanks to
situation at home to give myself through video conferencing and recording touch with the program director in Vienna technology, and made me realize that while
a break before my upcoming myself. It’s hard being so isolated though.” about other ways to connect with programs I still hope to study abroad in a future
busy semesters and hopefully and opportunities there, and am about to semester there are a multitude of ways that
make myself useful through Carley Peldiak (BUS Accounting and Finance) start volunteering virtually with Station I can connect with others around the world
volunteering activities in this was studying abroad in Italy when the Wien, an organization in Vienna aimed at in its absence and regardless of where I live.
unpredictable time. COVID-19 pandemic began, and is featured fostering intercultural communication and My perspective on what an ‘international
in the 2/25/20 story “‘It’s Terrifying’: exchange, building connections between experience’ can look like has thus been
Coronavirus Impacts Suburban Students
“
refugees/migrants to Austria and the broadened immeasurably by this.”
Studying Abroad In Italy” at https://www. general population, and providing academic
nbcchicago.com/news/local/its-terrifying- and language support to recently arrived Sam Walder (2017 alumnus, ENG Computer
I decided to take this time coronavirus-impacts-suburban-students- migrants. I’m really excited to still be able to Engineering) in March 2020: “It’d be
to focus on things I pushed studying-abroad-in-italy/2226278/. Carley, get involved with their projects from Illinois wonderful to walk through Urbana these
who was studying at Bocconi University in since I had been hoping to connect with days. Peaceful. You miss the most what you
to the back burner during Milan, was able to get to Vienna, Austria can’t have :).”
them while in Vienna, and will be tutoring
”
the regular school year. with another U.S. student, and later, back three middle school-aged siblings whose
to the U.S. family recently arrived in Austria from Syria
Chancellor’s Scholar Neha Arun in her
home environment
2 August 2020 | Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 3
NSEP BOREN SCHOLAR UI/CHP’S FIRST ASTRONAUT CHANCELLOR’S SCHOLARS
NSEP awards Boren Scholarships to
undergraduate students committed to
SCHOLAR RECEIVE NSF GRF’S
long-term, overseas immersive language Created in 1984 by the Mercury 7 Astronauts, The National Science Foundation (NSF)
study and to public service. Boren Scholars Astronaut Scholarships are awarded to Graduate Research Fellowship Program
receive funding to study the languages students in their junior and senior year of (GRFP) provides three years of support
and cultures most critical to our nation’s college studying science, technology, toward advanced research-based degrees.
security. In exchange, they agree to utilize engineering, or mathematics with the
intent to pursue research or advance their Sarah Ackenhusen (2018 alumna, LAS
those skills within the government by
seeking and securing federal employment field upon completion of their final degree. Chemistry), Kellie Halloran (2020 graduate,
for at least one year. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and ENG Mechanical Engineering), and Alayna
brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, Johnson (2020 graduate, LAS Chemistry)
CHP alum Blake Banks Chancellor’s Scholar Melanie Rohla Melanie Rohla (LAS Earth, Society, and creativity, and excellence in their chosen field. were awarded National Science Foundation
Environmental Sustainability; and Global (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships
Studies) has been awarded a David L. Boren Philip Kocheril (LAS Chemistry) let us know: providing three years of support toward
Scholarship from the National Security “I’m happy to share that I was named a 2020 advanced research-based degrees. Sarah
FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP Alexander Bryk (2020 graduate, LAS
Teaching of Spanish), Henry Li (2017 alumnus,
PricewaterhouseCoopers as a technology
consultant; he regularly mentors high school Education Program, and she plans to “spend Astronaut Scholar! The Astronaut (astronaut-
scholarship.org) is
Ackenhusen is attending the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, Kellie Halloran
an academic year in Tanzania studying
The Fulbright Program is the flagship BUS Accountancy), and Parth Patel (2019 students in career exploration and readiness another nationally will be staying at the University of Illinois for
through nonprofit organizations in Chicago. Swahili and doing an internship. The
international educational exchange alumnus, LAS Economics and Mathematics competitive STEM her PhD, and Alayna Johnson is heading to
Hannah Manetsch (2020 graduate, ENG
Boren Scholarship requires awardees to
program sponsored by the U.S. and BUS Finance) were selected for the scholarship, similar the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Engineering Physics) was also named an remain matriculated in their undergraduate
government and is designed to build Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to the Goldwater, Viraat Goel (2019 alumnus, ENG
Alternate for a Fulbright. university, so I actually will not be graduating
international relations to solve global (Alexander in Spain, Henry in Taiwan, and and I am actually Bioengineering), who is currently attending
this year. Instead, I will graduate in May 2021.”
challenges, and the Office of National and Parth in South Korea). [Alexander chose the first recipient of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
to accept a teaching position in the U.S., As an update, last year’s Fulbright awardee
International Scholarships administers the Melanie studied abroad in Kenya one this scholarship at received an NSF GRF Honorable Mention.
based on the uncertainty of his Fulbright Jordan Blake Banks (2019 alumna, ACES
Fulbright Program at Illinois. semester, and in Tanzania over a summer, UIUC.”
taking place; Parth declined as well.] Henry, Agricultural and Biological Engineering)
returned home from her graduate studies in for which she was supported by a Critical
who worked at the Illinois Leadership Center Language Scholarship. She was Co-Founder Philip is currently
while on campus and studied abroad in
Hong Kong, is currently employed by
Finland during the COVID-19 outbreak, but
she hopes to return soon. and President of Project Connect, a also a Goldwater CALVIN KE MEMORIAL
Scholar. Philip first engaged in research with
Student Minister and Council President
at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Campus Center, Professor Benjamin McCall while still in SCHOLARSHIPS
and Study Abroad Student Ambassador. high school, and later received a CHP Calvin Ke was an outstanding student leader
Melanie earned a Certificate in International Summer Research Grant and started his in the Campus Honors Program, who passed
Development Studies and a Certificate in own experiment, which ultimately led to the away unexpectedly from an acute asthma
Geographic Information Systems. publication of a first-author paper and the attack in May 1991.
CHP’S FIRST ENDOWED The 3rd recipient of the E. Graham Evans, Jr.
Scholarship is Elia Chudov (LAS Mathematics),
presentation of his own work at an interna-
tional conference. He later joined Professor
Calvin was a former
President of the
SCHOLARSHIP who graduated from Lisle High School,
served as a math tutor for four years, and was
Steven Zimmerman’s research group. He is a Honors Student
As reported in past Annuals, Matthew Matthews Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Council, played
a Lederman Scholar at North Central College. Kappa Honor Society, and plays with the
Rodriguez (5/99 alumnus, LAS Physics and He currently is active as Philanthropy Chair the clarinet in the
Mathematics) endowed a scholarship for a Carrillo Trumpet Studio. orchestra and
of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and is Historian
Chancellor’s Scholar who is majoring in Coordinator of the Illinois Business Council. marching band, and
mathematics, the E. Graham Evans, Jr. Elia “aspires to create insightful mathematical was a member of the
Scholarship, in honor of a beloved retired models to describe the world of finance” after Alpha Phi Omega
faculty member in the CHP. In addition he graduates from Illinois. We were delighted fraternity. In May
to his degrees at Illinois, he earned an M.A. to host Matthew, Graham, and Elia to meet 1991, his family established a memorial fund
in Mathematics and M.F.E. in Financial at an 11/15/19 lunch. to honor high-achieving students in the
Engineering at the University of California,
Berkeley in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
CHP WINS NEWSLETTER AWARD program who demonstrate future promise,
encouragement of others, and leadership
Matthew Rodriguez hopes others will be
Matt is currently a Portfolio Manager at moved to contribute to this fund, so that CHP’s 2018 Annual (located at abilities. This year, his mother, Hsiang Ke,
Millennium in Santa Monica and a Board future students can be supported in their honors.illinois.edu under Resources) announced her plans to gift part of her estate
Elia Chudov, Matt Rodriguez, Graham Evans, and Kim Graber
Member of Quill.org, an ed-tech non-profit mathematics studies. The E. Graham Evans, received 3rd place in the Faculty Print category in the to the Campus Honors Program to provide
promoting literacy. He was previously a Jr. Fund can be found in the drop-down 2019 NCHC Publications Board Newsletter Contest! scholarships to our most promising students.
Managing Director at BlackRock in New menu at www.honors.illinois.edu under The award was presented in November 2019 at the We are very grateful for the generosity of
York and recently finished his term serving Giving. 2019 NCHC National Conference Awards Ceremony. the Ke family and pleased that Calvin will
on the Advisory Board for the Department be honored through future scholarships to
of Mathematics at Illinois. other students.
4 August 2020 | Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 5
John W. Diffor
POST-GRADUATION PLANS
ENG Computer Science
Thru-hike the
Appalachian Trail, then
O F R E C E N T G R A D U AT E S start working as a software
developer for Epic Systems
in Madison, WI
Alp Aktuna Kate Bruns Katherine Douglas Allen Xiyuan Guo
ENG Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological FAA Instrumental Music ACES Food Science and Human Nutrition and ENG Materials Science and Engineering
Engineering Christopher Robert “I will be pursuing a Masters in Oboe LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology “I’ll be pursuing a PhD in Materials Science Dohun Jeong
Design Engineer at ASML in San Diego Bauer Performance and Literature at the Eastman “I will be doing a 3 year rotational program and Engineering at Northwestern University.” ENG Electrical Engineering
ENG Mechanical School of Music.” with Abbott Labs working in regulatory “I will be pursuing an
Jacob E. Anderson affairs for medical devices. My first rotation is Kayla Guo
Engineering M.S. degree in ECE here
ENG Engineering Physics Alexander Matthew Bryk in Plano, TX (not sure when I’ll be moving).” BUS Accountancy and Finance
Analyst at Credit Suisse at Illinois.”
Software Developer at Epic near Madison, WI LAS Teaching of Spanish Full-time employment in New York with ING
“I received word that I have been selected as a Thomas Franklin Driscoll
Fernando Adrian Arias Fulbright Scholar for the Galicia program in ENG Computer Engineering Katherine (Kate) Hacker
LAS Political Science and Economics 2020-2021. However, due to COVID-19, the Software Engineer at Arity BUS Accountancy and Finance
“I will be attending law school in the fall at Melissa Anne Bayer program’s start date has been pushed back to “I will be working as a financial specialist at Alayna Marie Johnson
the University of Chicago School of Law.” ENG Civil Engineering January and it may be canceled altogether. Claudia Anna Dudzik McDonald’s Corporate.” LAS Chemistry
“My plan after graduation is to get my Therefore, I have decided to accept an offer LAS Mathematics and Statistics “I’ll be attending the Massachusetts Institute
Raajesh Arunachalam master’s degree in structural engineering, to teach Spanish full time at Lincoln Way Find a job dealing with statistics and data Kellie Halloran of Technology (MIT) department of
ENG Computer Science here at UIUC.” Central High School!” management ENG Mechanical Engineering chemistry, program in polymers and
Working at Facebook as a Software Engineer “I will be pursuing a PhD in Mechanical soft matter.”
Anna Caroline Benoit Sakina Dawood Burhani Kerri Marie Elson Engineering at the University of Illinois.”
FAA Lyric Theatre LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology BUS Accountancy Andrew Scott Johnson
“I will be performing as Miss Honey in “I plan to attend Rosalind Franklin “I will continue at UIUC to complete a ACES Agricultural and Consumer Economics
Audrey Lynn Ashburn University Chicago Medical School in Fall Master of Accounting Science degree with a “I have accepted a full-time job as an
Matilda the Musical at Ozark Actors Theatre.
LAS Psychology 2020. I am working as a clinical research concentration in data analytics.” Anvita Hariharan Associate at Verdant Partners LLC, an M&A
I will then move to Chicago to pursue a
“I have decided to attend coordinator although the pandemic has put AHS Community Health Advisory Firm located in Champaign, IL.”
career in the performing arts.
Florida State University for our studies on hold.” Lauren Excell “I am going to be a consultant at Claro
their Higher Education Olivia Mary Bievenue ENG Civil Engineering Healthcare!” Kundan Ashok Joshi
administration and policy LAS English and Psychology Douglas Sam Chan “I have decided to enter a PhD program in LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology
program!” “I have accepted a job with Visa, Inc., as a LAS Chemistry Civil Engineering at Stanford University.” “I will be working as a data assistant for
Technical Writer. I will move to Denver, “I will be pursuing a PhD in chemical clinical trials at Lurie Cancer Center in
Colorado, this summer to begin my job.” biology at Purdue University.” Chicago while taking a gap year before
medical school.”
Connor Aubry Deborah Chang Lotanna Ezenekwe
John Michael Born
ENG Computer Engineering BUS Accountancy and Information Systems and LAS Molecular and Kieran Nicholas Charles Kaempen
ENG Computer Engineering
Working at Sandia National Laboratories Information Technology Cellular Biology LAS Mathematics and Computer Science
“I started working as a software developer on
the Data Engineering team at the Groupon Pass the CPA exam, begin in full time audit “I will attend Columbia Coming back to UIUC for a master’s degree
Meral Aycicek University Vagelos College in computer science
HQ in Chicago. The Data Engineering team with Crowe in October 2020.
LAS Global Studies of Physicians and Surgeons.”
“I will take a gap year before applying to creates and maintains data pipelines taking
Emily Elizabeth Condic Ziv Benjamin Kaputa
graduate programs in public policy and law. raw data from all over the business and
LAS Chemical Engineering ENG Computer Science
In my gap year, I will explore service transforming it into curated data sets for
“I will be working as an R&D Engineer for “In August I will be moving to Seattle and
opportunities and new hobbies.” analysts. I’m excited to be starting my career Colin Lee Flavin
P&G in Cincinnati, OH.” Elizabeth Michelle Heffernan starting as a software engineer at Amazon on
despite the troubling times.” ENG Electrical Engineering BUS Accountancy and Information Systems and the Amazon Business team.”
Spenser Bailey Tanner Corum “I have a job working in Radar Technologies Information Technology
LAS History LAS Actuarial Science with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in “I’ll be spending the summer with my family Nicholas Aron Kasner
“I’ll be attending the iSchool at Illinois, as a Actuarial Analyst at State Farm Crane, Indiana.” before starting as an Assurance Associate at ENG Systems Engineering and Design
master’s student in Library and Information PricewaterhouseCoopers in St. Louis this Full-time work as a management consultant
Science.” Michael Eric Gale coming fall.” in supply chain and procurement at KPMG
ENG Industrial Engineering in Chicago, IL
Jenna Rae Baker “I have accepted a full-time job at Epic in Federico Andres Hernandez Nater
ACES Agricultural Leadership & Science Benjamin Misael David Verona, WI.” FAA Music Madison Loraine Kaufman
Education ENG Bioengineering “I hope to find a job in Sound Design.” AHS Interdisciplinary Health Science
Agriculture Teacher & FFA Advisor at “I will be pursuing a PhD in Christiana Helena Gray “I will be attending Rosalind Franklin
Tri-Point High School in Cullom, IL Bioengineering here at UIUC.” ENG Mechanical Engineering Lily Corinne Holmes Chicago School of Medicine this fall.”
“I have officially accepted a seven-year FAA Architectural Studies
Elizabeth Rose Barbeau commitment with the Air Force Civilian Attending UIUC’s Graduate program for Aidan Michael Kelly
LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology Service as an Engineer, as a part of the Architectural Studies in Fall of 2020 LAS Biochemistry
“I will work as a medical assistant at Derick Julia Elizabeth Brodecki PALACE Acquire program, working in “I am currently applying to work as a
Dermatology during my gap year before ENG Materials Science and Engineering Giovanni Concepcion Diaz Virginia.” Abigail Marie Iuorio research assistant for two years before
medical school. Additionally, I will be “I have accepted a full time position at 3M as ENG Engineering Physics ENG Civil Engineering pursuing admission to MD/PhD programs.”
volunteering at a children’s transitional a Product Development Engineer in their “I plan to take a year and work. Then, go to Working at Ernst and Young as a
hospital, Almost Home Kids.” Automotive Aftermarket Division.” graduate school.” Climate Change and Sustainability
Services Consultant
6 August 2020 | Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 7
POST-GRADUATION PLANS Natalie Christine Pfister
ENG Aerospace Engineering
“I will be working at the Northrop
O F R E C E N T G R A D U AT E S continued Grumman Corporation in Dulles, Virginia
as a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and
Control Associate Engineer.”
Trennedy Kleczewski Emily Ann Martin Broderick Tre Portell Catherine Teresa Seebauer Blandon Su Megan Frances Voris
BUS Marketing and Business Process ACES Agricultural and Consumer Economics LAS Economics ENG Civil Engineering LAS Econometrics and Quantitative Economics ENG Mechanical Engineering
Management “I am attending graduate school at Illinois in Working for William Blair’s Investment “I recently accepted a full time position as Pursuing PhD at Indiana University Management Consulting Associate at PwC
“I will be starting a full-time marketing the Masters of Science in Accountancy Banking team in Chicago a transportation design engineer with the Bloomington
position at Discover Financial Services.” Program. I will also be working this summer Arlington, Virginia, county government.” Gabrielle DeAnne Walker
as an Audit & Assurance Intern for Deloitte Mingkang David Qi Christina Jean Su ACES Food Science and Human Nutrition
Lukas R. Kulbis in St. Louis.” LAS Chemistry and Integrative Biology Noah David Sellars LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology Begin working as an Associate Research
ENG Computer Science “I will be attending the University of Illinois LAS History and Political Science “I will embark on my journey into medicine Scientist in Product Development for
“I am working on a start-up through UIUC’s Robert William Mitchell College of Medicine at Peoria!” “I will be attending law school for a Juris at Washington University in St. Louis PepsiCo
iVenture accelerator to create a smart alarm BUS Finance Doctor degree, and perhaps a concurrent Medical School this fall to pursue my M.D.
clock that wakes you in a new way, inspiring Private Equity Analyst at GTCR in Chicago, IL Varshini Ramanathan Master’s degree. I do not yet know where.” and ultimately my dreams of becoming a Diane L. Wei
an energized morning.” LAS Statistics physician!” LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology
Nikhil D. Modak “I’ll be working at the Consumer Financial Nicholas Craig Shapland “I will be attending medical school in the
Jennifer Jingyu Kuo ENG Computer Science Protection Bureau as a Director’s Financial LAS Geography and GIS, Political Science, Santosh Sudhakar fall, and I committed to the University of
BUS Finance and LAS Philosophy “I’ll be moving to San Francisco to work at Analyst.” History LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology Toledo College of Medicine and Life
Accenture Management Consulting Analyst, Lyft as a Software Engineer.” Interning as a remote sensing intern with the and Chemistry Sciences!”
Chicago Paul Robert Reckamp MTRI (Michigan Tech Research Institute), “Starting in August, I will be attending the
Mukhil Murugasamy ENG Computer Engineering still interviewing and applying to jobs/paid Saint Louis University School of Medicine.” Thomas Jordan Weller
Sarah Lee ENG Computer Science “I will be pursuing a Master’s in computer internships LAS History
LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology JP Morgan engineering at the University of Illinois.” James Tiao “I am attending Law School at the University
and Psychology Aditya Bhaskar Shedge BUS Accountancy and Finance of Illinois.”
Applying to medical school Pranjal Nandi Lyle Regenwetter ENG Mechanical Engineering Accenture – Consulting Development
BUS Finance ENG Computer Engineering and Electrical “I will be working as a semiconductor Program Analyst Mackenzie Grace Wells
“I will be working as an investment banking Engineering packaging engineer at Texas Instruments.” ACES Animal Sciences
analyst at Livingstone Partners in Chicago, ME graduate program at MIT and expecting Justin Tiao “I will be attending the University of Illinois
Chen Lin where I will cover mergers & acquisitions, to attain PhD Luie Siegel ENG Bioengineering College of Veterinary Medicine this fall.”
ENG Computer Science and restructuring, and debt advisory.” ENG Bioengineering “I am pursuing an MD at the Icahn
LAS Economics Jensen Ashleigh Rehn Take a gap year or two to work then go to School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in
Software Engineer at Allison Neggers LAS History medical school New York City.”
Amazon Seattle LAS Psychology “Most likely, I will attend Notre Dame Law
Christian Williams
TBD School this fall.” Madeline Mette Smith Lucas Trojanowski ENG Mechanical Engineering
LAS Integrative Biology LAS Mathematics “I will pursue a PhD in
Jacklyn Elina Ovassapian Attend University of Wisconsin-Madison Pursuing a master’s degree in applied Mechanical Engineering at
Bryan Lu FAA Theatre and LAS Psychology to pursue a Masters in Environmental mathematics at UIUC, then a PhD in
Jake Ribich UIUC.”
ENG Computer Science “I am hoping to work in arts administration/ Conservation physics thereafter
Software Engineer at Publicis Sapient theatre management. I have also been ENG Engineering Physics
in Chicago applying to graduate business programs.” “I will be attending Yale Claudia Evyn Handler Sova
University to pursue a PhD LAS Sociology
Zachary James Mabry Vibha Venkatesh Pandurangi in Biophysics.” “Working for a nonprofit/social justice Elena Marie Wilson
ENG Computer Science ENG Computer Science organization in Chicago. I want to apply my
Software Engineering at USPS in St. Louis LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology and
Software Engineer at NVIDIA sociology and gender & women’s studies edu- Germanic Studies
cation towards fighting inequality in the city.” Post Baccalaureate Research Position at the
Lucas Connor McDonald Dario Giovanni Panici Jose Rafael Ridao
ENG Computer Engineering National Institutes of Health, National
ENG Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological ENG Mechanical Engineering Holly Rose Stallard
Moving to Seattle to work as a Software Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD
Engineering “Currently I’m working as an Applications ACES Food Science and Human Nutrition
Development Engineer for Amazon “I will be going to Princeton University to Engineer at NTN Bearing in Mount Graduate school at the University of Illinois Marissa Yanez
pursue a PhD in the Mechanical and Prospect, IL.” Master’s degree in Human Nutrition
Samarth Makhija LAS English and Creative Writing
Aerospace department.”
ENG Computer Engineering Pursuing a career as a writer or going into
Grace Rigney Robert Stavins
Software Engineering at Wayfair, Boston publishing
Victor Manuel Pastrana-Gomez MED Advertising ENG Mechanical Engineering
ENG Bioengineering Currently unsure Pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Hannah Jean Manetsch Franklin Ye
Starting a job, but got pushed back due to at UIUC
ENG Engineering Physics Chantal Andrea Vaca ENG Computer Science
Coronavirus Melanie Ann Rohla
“I decided to attend California Institute of MED Journalism Software Engineer at Plaid in San Francisco
LAS Earth, Society, and Environmental Daniel Mead Stelzer
Technology (Caltech) to study Atomic Palak Patel Sustainability; and Global Studies LAS Linguistics and ENG Computer Science “I am pursuing my master’s in journalism
at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Leah Marie Ziolkowski
Molecular and Optical Physics.” LAS Psychology “I plan to return to Tanzania through either the Pursuing a PhD in Linguistics at the U of I
Champaign.” LAS Chemistry and ACES Food Science and
“I plan on attending the University of Boren Scholarship program or the Princeton
Human Nutrition
Indianapolis to pursue my doctorate in in Africa Fellowship Program. (Please check
Attend University of Chicago for a PhD in
Psychology (Psy.D).” back in with me later for more concrete plans!)”
Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition
Carly Marchal Haley Nicole Penkala Zachary Scheffel Amy Elizabeth Strauch Abishek Sreeraman Venkit
BUS Marketing and Finance LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology LAS Physics ENG Aerospace Engineering ENG Electrical Engineering
Starting full time job at Attend graduate school at the University of Will start work as a Client Systems Accepted a Software ECE Master’s Program at UIUC
National Futures Association Wisconsin-Madison for a PhD in biochemistry Administrator at Epic Systems Corporation Engineering position with
(NFA) in June Collins Aerospace in Cedar
8 Campus Honors Rapids, Iowa Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 9
IN THE NEWS
Emily Martin (ACES Agricultural and Many Chancellor’s Scholars have participated in Illini 4000 in the Students served in the following Illinois
Consumer Economics) and Cathie past. This year, Evan Armstrong (ENG Computer Engineering), Student Government (ISG) roles:
Seebauer (ENG Civil Engineering), who Maria Maring (LAS Astronomy), and Jacob Minin (ENG Bioengineering), Fernando Arias (LAS Political Science and
were named to the 2019 Homecoming were training for the 4000 mile ride when COVID-19 derailed their Economics) served as Chief Justice of the
Court, are profiled at https://blogs.illinois. journey. Christina Su (LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology), who ISG Judiciary; Rhea Bridgeland (ACES
edu/view/6143/803265. did the ride in 2017, was President of Illini 4000, and Mike Rotter Natural Resources and Environmental
(EDU Special Education), who rode in 2018 and 2019, served as Science) was State House Legislative Aide;
On 11/15/19, LAS News reported that Vice President. and Roland Kim (LAS Political Science)
Elena Wilson (LAS Molecular and Cellular was City of Urbana Liaison.
CHP graduates Emily Martin Illini 4000’s mission is: “The Illini 4000 is a non-profit organization CHP graduate Fernando Arias
Biology and Germanic Studies) received the and Cathie Seebauer dedicated to documenting the American cancer experience through
Lincoln Academy Student Laureate The Portraits Project, raising funds for cancer research and patient Matt Macomber (2014 alumnus,
Award at https://las.illinois.edu/news/2019-11-15/student-receives- support services, as well as spreading awareness for the fight against LAS Atmospheric Sciences) continues to write for Smile Politely
lincoln-academy-student-laureate-award. The article notes: “The (www.smilepolitely.com). This past year, his posts included “A trip
© Darrell Hoemann Photography
cancer through annual cross-country bike rides.”
Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Awards are presented each year to to Top Food Restaurant,” “Satisfy your thirst at Bearology,” “Expect
one student from each four-year degree-granting institution of higher grand portions at El Rancho Grande II,” “Enjoy a hearty brunch
learning in Illinois. This year’s ceremony is Saturday, November 16, 2019. Sr. Stephanie Baliga (2010 alumna, LAS Economics and Geography) at Maize,” “Finding chicken burritos in Champaign-Urbana,” and
was featured in a 10/10/19 WTTW TV story “Local Nun Leads “Find a sweet treat at Tasty Tart.”
“While earning dual degrees, Elena Wilson is involved in a number of Chicago Marathon Team,” which details her running career at Illinois
different service organizations, including Young Life and Illini Screening as well as her continuing to run to raise funds for the Mission of Our
Society. She has also been a student volunteer at Carle Hospital, Lady of the Angels. More info on her interview is at https://news.wttw. Neena Tripathy (1994 alumna, LAS Biology) was profiled in the
Champaign County Christian Health Center, and the HeRMES com/2019/10/10/local-nun-leads-chicago-marathon-team. Champaign Women Outdoors series as a marathon runner with a
Multicultural Clinic. Despite her busy class schedule, Wilson spends goal of running the race on all seven continents. At the time of the
CHP graduate Anna Benoit as Sally Bowles in Cabaret 2019 interview, Neena, who is currently a Pediatrician in the
almost as much time volunteering as she does in class. …Everything Jon Horek (2002 alumnus, ENG Mechanical Engineering) was named
she’s done, Wilson added, has motivated her to continue helping people Carle Physician Group, had completed marathons in the U.S.,
an Emerging Leader of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Each Australia, China, South Africa, and Antarctica. For more info, go
Anna Benoit (FAA Lyric Theatre) played Sally Bowles in the February/ — in whatever path she chooses after graduation.” year, the Council selects a cohort of approximately 20 high potential to: www.champaignoutdoors.com/post/neena-tripathy.
March 2020 KCPA production of Cabaret.
mid-career Chicago professionals, who train together for one year on
The UI YouTube admissions channel features Zoe Replinger key leadership skills needed to tackle today’s global challenges.
Beth Born (LAS Chemical Engineering) is interning at Asahi Kasei (FAA Theatre and MED Advertising) in several videos (including Rob Chappell (ACES) hosted a Walking Tour of Historic Campus
Bioprocess America in Glenview, IL in Summer 2020. She wrote, “I Day in My Life) at www.youtube.com/user/IllinoisAdmissions, Places on 10/25/20 which included the CHP’s Honors House, which
am extremely grateful to be working for such a relevant and essential www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3SmJaH89U, and www.youtube.com/ served as an early locale for the James Scholars Honors Program. Ryan
business during these unprecedented times, and I am eager to start my watch?v=-5ZKc9bdXlE. Ross (2008 alumnus, LAS English) provided a talk on the tour at the
work for the company!” Richmond Family Gallery in the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
Jacques Anderson (2011 alumna, LAS Political Science) was featured
Kayla Vittore (ACES Crop Sciences) worked in Summer 2020 as an in https://storied.illinois.edu/filler/, a story which notes “Raised in East
Intern with the Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm & St. Louis by a single mother who was a police officer, Jacques was one
Energy Resilience (IPREFER) team, at the University of Minnesota of the first recipients of a Filler Scholarship. She is quick to emphasize
St. Paul Campus site. This is a project to investigate and improve that while she appreciated the scholarship, it was [Ron Filler’s]
Pennycress’s potential as a biofuel crop, and Kayla did greenhouse work willingness to mentor her that really changed her life. He now regards
investigating the viability of SCN eggs over time, and investigating the
pathogenicity of SCN on pennycress.
her as his ‘second daughter’ and beamed alongside Jacques’s parents
at her graduation from Harvard Law School in 2014. ‘I think Ron,
LINCOLN SCHOLARS
specifically, showed me how you can really make a difference in
Maxwell Chan (FAA Industrial Design), Kathleen Culligan (FAA someone’s life by not only giving money, but giving time and incorpo- LAS News profiled graduating seniors Lotanna Ezenekwe (LAS Molecular
Industrial Design), Arthur Hall (FAA New Media), and Ally Merrett rating people into your life,’ she said. She has carried that kindness and Cellular Biology) on 5/27/20 at https://las.illinois.edu/news/2020-05-
(FAA Urban Studies and Planning and Landscape Architecture) were forward creating her own scholarships and mentoring programs 27/meet-scholars-lincoln-scholars-graduate-unique-illinois-experiences.
2020 Summer Design Interns for the new Siebel Center for Design. everywhere she’s lived: East St. Louis, Cambridge, and New York City.”
Spenser Bailey (LAS History) and Claudia Dudzik (LAS Mathematics and
Statistics) also graduated as Lincoln Scholars. On 8/29/19, LAS provided an
earlier update on the program: “With support from friends and alumni, the
College of LAS launched the Lincoln Scholars Initiative seven years ago to
support promising LAS students with financial need. We caught up with a
few of the earliest Lincoln Scholars to see how your gifts have paved the
Sophie Luijten (LAS Global Studies and Zoe Replinger (FAA Theatre and MED Ethan Simmons (MED Journalism) has way for successful careers after college. …Max Colon (2016 alumnus, LAS
Spanish) will have a paper published Advertising) was in the February 2020 interned with the Champaign-Urbana
Psychology and Spanish) is one of the inaugural Lincoln Scholars. Since
in the IPRH Environmental Humanities KCPA production of The Wolves. News-Gazette and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
Undergraduate Research Journal. and continues to serve as News Editor and arriving at Illinois as a freshman seven years ago, he’s earned bachelor’s
write for the Daily Illini. Jada Fulcher (MED degrees in psychology and Spanish, a master’s degree in human resources
Journalism) serves as Editorial Staff for the and industrial relations, and a new job in human resources at Grainger.”
Daily Illini.
10 August 2020 | Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign CHP graduate Claudia Dudzik
2020 IN THE NEWS continued
UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH
Helaine Silverman (CHP faculty, Anthropology) and her efforts to David Ruzic (CHP faculty, NPRE) joined local talent Larry Kanfer in
promote heritage tourism, as well as the socioeconomic development, Champaign West Rotary’s CU’s Got Talent, on 2/1/20 in “Dueling
of downstate Illinois were featured in the 6/13/19 LAS News story Reality: Energy Prof vs. The Artist by David Ruzic and Larry Kanfer.”
“The Mythic Mississippi.” The article is located at https://las.illinois. According to the promotional information, “Larry and David decided
edu/news/2019-06-13/mythic-mississippi, and details the project “The to participate in this event with a magic act to raise money for area
SYMPOSIUM
Mythic Mississippi: I-Heritage as Public Engagement and Economic charities. CU’s Got Talent! is a fundraiser presented by Champaign
and Social Development,” which was awarded $180,000 in funding as West Rotary in East Central Illinois, which features a talent show
part of a UI initiative earlier this year to increase funding in the arts including a reception and silent auction.”
and humanities. “The project seeks to develop themed tourism trails
such as coal heritage, African American heritage, French Colonial The National Association of Manufacturers announced the 2020 Step
heritage, and Mormon heritage. The project organizers hope that these Ahead Awards on 3/2/20, and PHOENIX Director of Quality and
themed trails will motivate tourists to explore downstate Illinois and Food Safety, Meena (Babu) Banasiak (2006 alumna, ENG Materials
thus contribute to town economies.” Science and Engineering) was selected as a national honoree. The press
release notes that “the 8th Annual Step Ahead Awards recognize
Warren Lavey (Earth, Society, and the Environment; Natural Resources women in science, technology, engineering and production careers who
and Environmental Sciences; and Law) welcomed four experts in policy exemplify leadership within their companies.” There is more info about
advocacy to his Fall 2019 CHP class: State Senator Scott Bennett; Meena at the Manufacturing Institute’s 2020 Step Ahead Website
State Representative Carol Ammons; Andrew Armstrong (CHP (https://tinyurl.com/sw6hy9y), detailing her professional leadership,
The 13th Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) and Illinois Scholars alum and Chief, Environmental Bureau – Springfield, Illinois Attorney mentoring of other women, and her service engagement in Naperville
Undergraduate Research Symposium (ISUR) took place on Undergraduate General’s Office); and Cindy Shepard (Director of Central Illinois and beyond.
Research Week from April 27–May 2, 2020. Below are the Chancellor’s Scholars Outreach Programs).
who presented or co-presented their research at these events.
For more information on student presentations,
go to http://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/researchweek.html.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (URS) OR URS WEEK PRESENTERS:
Rhea Bridgeland Yan Luo
ACES Natural Resources and ENG Bioengineering
Environmental Sciences
Aditya Mansharamani
Amber Dorn ENG Computer Science
AHS Speech and Hearing Science
Nicole Park
Akshay Dugar ACES Food Science and
ENG Industrial Engineering Human Nutrition
Karina Herrera Haley Penkala
ENG Mechanical Engineering LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology
Left: Representative Scott Bennett
Carolyn Janick Maxwell Polanek speaks with CHP faculty
Warren Lavey’s class
LAS Mathematics LAS Chemical Engineering
Above: CHP alum
Philip Kocheril Chahna Saraiya Meena Babu Banasiak
LAS Chemistry LAS Statistics
Top: CHP graduate Elena Wilson. Michael Kokkines Elena Wilson
Bottom: CHP graduate Sarah Lee.
ENG Computer Science LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology
and Germanic Studies
Sarah Lee
LAS Molecular and Cellular Biology
and Psychology
Dana Yun (ENG Materials Science and James Kaler (CHP emeritus faculty,
Engineering) served on the Research and Astronomy) wrote the 1/24/20 item
Scholarship Committee of the COVID-19 “Why Your Zodiac Sign is Probably Wrong”
Committee appointed by the Chancellor in at The Conversation website https://
May 2020. theconversation.com/why-your-zodiac-sign-
is-probably-wrong-128818.
Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | August 2020 13
CHP Murder Mystery
By Kayla Vittore, ACES Crop Sciences
What’s more terrifyingly unpleasant than a high school reunion? A Committee to confound and divide the Murder Mystery participants,
high school reunion involving murder! For Halloween, the Publications and two-thirds of the group fell for the trap. To the clever ones who
Committee once again designed a dastardly Murder Mystery dinner uncovered that the politician was the night’s merry murderer went the
of devious deception. This year’s theme was high school reunion prizes — though the real prize was the night of laughter everyone
stereotypes, boasting characters such as the jock that never made pro, shared on that spookiest of holidays.
the BFF’s turned mortal enemies, and the ridiculously redeemed
former bully. The star of the night was, of course, the universally
beloved class clown, Schmitty. Or at least everyone thought Schmitty
was beloved, up until he dropped dead in the middle of the union!
What followed Schmitty’s dramatic demise was a series of surprising
reveals, emotional accusations, and the sudden realization that
Schmitty’s haphazard pranking had landed him more animosity than
admiration. When everyone has a motive for murder, how do you
determine which little grudge was the one to grow into vengeance?
Through the wit and grit characteristic of Chancellor’s Scholars, the
group narrowed their suspicions down to three individuals. On the
chopping block was the school mascot turned sleazy politician, the
religious fanatic with suspicious knowledge of poisons, and the only
kid Schmitty never thought important enough to be pranked. The last
of the three was a red herring specially developed by the Publications
Chancellor’s Scholars at Murder Mystery Dinner
Chancellor’s Scholars at Pumpkin Carving event HSC Academic Engagement Committee: Dean Lunch & Learns
By Maya Chattoraj, LAS Physics
The Academic Engagement Committee hosted two Lunch & Learns James Anderson, dean of the College of Education, was the guest of
HONORS STUDENT COUNCIL
with college deans this year, where a dean comes to the Honors House our second Lunch & Learn (pictured on page 18). He shared influential
to engage with Chancellor’s Scholars and share their career experiences experiences from his undergraduate and graduate school years that
over delicious catered lunches. helped shape his career and his interest in researching the history of
African American education. Dean Anderson also discussed modern
Our first guest was Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College education techniques with students who are in the College of Education,
of Applied Health Sciences. Dean Hanley-Maxwell discussed her offering his personal opinions and inviting students to share theirs.
Honors Student Council Year in Review experiences as a special education teacher and how she found her Dean Anderson advised students to never be afraid of asking questions
By Maya Chattoraj, LAS Physics way to her current position. She discussed the current state of special or debating experts in any field, and shared the story of how he
education in the state of Illinois, impressing upon attendees the questioned a prestigious guest speaker who then offered him a research
Honors Student Council, or HSC, had a fantastic year filled with outlet. Finally, the Publications Committee writes pieces for CHP’s importance of strong programs of this type. Dean Hanley-Maxwell position because of how inquisitive he was.
many events and new memories. HSC was composed of five individual various newsletters and arranges literature-based events for students. also gave students the reassuring message that it’s okay to not have
committees this year: Academic Engagement, Social Engagement, These five committees bring Chancellor’s Scholars together, creating every step of your career planned out. She encouraged students to The committee also scheduled a Lunch & Learn with Dean Kevin
Community Engagement, Art, and Publications. The Academic strong bonds between students. study a subject that they are passionate about, saying that the next Hamilton from the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Unfortunately,
Engagement Committee organizes events that introduce students to career step would always present itself. this event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. We look
novel topics in academia, often through lunches with professors and Despite an early end to on-campus activities due to the coronavirus forward to next year, when we will continue introducing Chancellor’s
deans from colleges across campus. The Social Engagement Committee pandemic, HSC worked hard to remain active throughout the stay- Scholars to prominent Illinois faculty!
arranges fun events where students can socialize and bond while at-home order. The committees met via Zoom to plan virtual events,
engaged in cool activities. The Community Engagement Committee such as a virtual surprise party to say goodbye to Director Kim Graber. Chancellor’s Scholars at Lunch & Learn with Dean Hanley-Maxwell
works to help those in need in the Champaign-Urbana area, providing Members also met just to stay in touch during such a difficult time!
students with the opportunity to give back to the community around
them. This was the inaugural year of the Community Engagement Participating in HSC is a great way to meet other Chancellor’s Scholars
Committee, and we’re looking forward to the great work that the and engage with the Honors community. I’d like to thank the Executive
committee will continue to do in the future. The Art Committee does Board and all of HSC for a fantastic year, and I look forward to seeing
several creative projects throughout the year, giving students a creative you at the first HSC meeting in September!
“
Despite an early end to on-campus activities due to the
coronavirus pandemic, HSC worked hard to remain active
”
throughout the stay-at-home order.
14 August 2020 | Campus Honors Program | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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