Exceptional Students and Faculty Recognized on Honors Day
4/15/2011
Lebanon, Ill. — McKendree University recognized outstanding students from all divisions and announced three faculty awards
at an Honors Day Convocation held Apr. 15 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus.
Dr. Tami Eggleston, associate dean, explained that honorees are selected by full-time faculty members based on four major
components of the university’s mission: responsible citizenship, engagement, academic excellence and lifelong learning.
“These honorees are our best and brightest,” noted Dr. James Dennis, university president.
Dr. Frank Spreng, professor of economics and director of the MBA program, delivered the keynote address, “Ephemeral and Fundamental,”
as the previous year’s recipient of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Board of Higher Education Exemplary Teacher Award. 
Dr. Brian Frederking, professor of political science and chair of the social sciences division, received the Exemplary Teacher
Award for 2011. It is given by the UMC Board of Higher Education for excellence in teaching, concern for students and colleagues,
a commitment to values-centered education, service to students beyond the classroom, and service to one’s students, institution,
community or local church.
Frederking teaches political science and international relations, and serves as faculty advisor to the Model United Nations
program and a professor in the honors program. “He sets high standards for students and demonstrates extensive leadership,”
said Eggleston, adding that he often takes students to conferences and helps them publish their work in the Scholars online
journal of undergraduate research.
As a McKendree alumnus, Frederking said the award is especially meaningful to him.
The 2011 Associate Faculty Awards 
for Excellence in Teaching were given to Gary Brink and Maynard Saunders, two instructors respected by students for bringing
complex theories to life with passion and enthusiasm. Brink, of Trenton, has taught in the university’s education program
and supervised student teachers since 2004. Saunders, of Edwardsville, has taught introductory philosophy and ethics courses
at the university since 1999.
The Active Collegians Engaged in Service (ACES) Award, sponsored by McKendree’s Center for Public Service, was given to Jenna
Baker, a senior biology major from Fairfield. Throughout her college career, she has volunteered more than 400 hours of service,
primarily at nursing homes programs and as a tutor in local schools.
School and division chairs recognized the following exceptional students for achievement within their respective areas:
College of Arts & Sciences
Division of Computing, Dr. Kian Pokorny, chairperson
Evan VanScoyk, Troy, computer science
Billy John Richardson, Wood River, computer science, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Division of Humanities, Dr. Nancy Ypma, chairperson
Christopher Moll, Baldwin, history education
Catherine Neuman, Aurora, music education
Jacinda Pullum, Lebanon, history
Division of Language, Literature, & Communication, Dr. Brenda Boudreau, chairperson
Anastasia Bierman, Mascoutah, English
Division of Science & Mathematics, Dr. Robb Van Putte, chairperson
Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield, mathematics
Jordan Finch, Hillsboro, Mo., biology
Division of Social Sciences, Dr. Brian Frederking, chairperson
Whitney Baillie, Fort Wayne, Ind., international relations
Keri McDaniel, Pinckneyville, sociology
Meagan Musgrave, Minooka, political science
Rory Scher, Swansea, psychology
School of Business, Dr. Sandra Lang, chairperson
Tonya Downard, Coulterville, Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award
Katherine Kellermann, O’Fallon, accounting
Christopher Mondy, St. Jacob, management
Christopher Ray, Granite City, marketing
Lindsay Winkeler, Bartelso, economics and finance
Nathan Denny, Belleville, management, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Amanda Nimick, Scott Air Force Base, business administration, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Jason Stroud, Collinsville, accounting, Center at Scott Air Force Base
Courtney Deboer, New Lenox, marketing, Accelerated Instruction at McKendree (AiM) program
Barbara Seiler, Mt. Vernon, business administration, Accelerated Instruction at McKendree (AiM) program
Master of Business Administration
Mark Koenig, New Baden
Eric Patmythes, O’Fallon
School of Education, Dr. Janet Wicker, chairperson
Hannah McDowell, Mt. Vernon, elementary education
Chyrisse Rennegarbe, Nashville, elementary education
Master of Arts in Education
Katherine Hoerner, Belleville, education studies, American history
Mark Lull, Granite City, educational administration and leadership
Michelle Rahm, Belleville, teacher certification
Lori Rohling, Aviston, educational studies
Craig Stark, East Alton, educational administration and leadership
Karen Tate, Columbia, teacher certification
Lori Zeiter, Belleville, teacher leadership
School of Nursing & Health Professions
Division of Health Professions, Dr. Dawn Hankins, chairperson
Marie T.L. Almeida, O’Fallon, health promotion and wellness
Kenneth Detmer, Aviston, physical education
Sarah Ryan, Rochester, health education
Jacob Wittenauer, Waterloo, athletic training
Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Mary Jo Brunhaver, O’Fallon
Division of Nursing, Dr. Richelle Rennegarbe, chairperson
Jeri Roberts, Metropolis, nursing
Margaret Vance, Raymond, nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Jennifer Durbin, Highland, nursing management and administration
Nila Hawkins, Iuka, nursing education
Honors Program, Dr. John Greenfield, director
Whitney Baillie, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield; Jordan Finch, Hillsboro, Mo.; Meagan Musgrave, Minooka;
Jacinda Pullum, Lebanon; Carrie Schumacher, St. Rose; Jake Smith, Golconda.
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, presented by Dr. Joni Bastian, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Melinda Bayer, Collinsville; Melissa Bayer, Collinsville; Rebecca Bernard, Belleville; Anastasia Bierman, Mascoutah; Lora
Blackwell, Edwardsville; Timothy Day, Edwardsville; Cicely Green, Belleville; Samantha Hartman, Troy; Richard Henderson, Dundee,
Scotland; Douglas Mennerick, O’Fallon; Christopher Moll, Baldwin; Meagan Musgrave, Minooka; Kelsie Perkins, Jacksonville;
Airika Tyler, Maryville; Michelle Voegele, Mascoutah.
Lincoln Laureate Award
Danielle Belobraydich, Plainfield
-McK-
McKendree University ranks among the top 13 percent of the Midwest’s Best Regional Colleges in the 2011 edition of U.S. News Media Group’sBest Colleges report.Founded in 1828, the historic Lebanon, Ill., campus is 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. McKendree also has campuses in Louisville and Radcliff, Ky., and offers programs at Scott Air Force Base and other sites throughout Illinois and Kentucky. McKendree University’s graduate school offers degrees in education, professional counseling, business administration and nursing. Designed for adult learners and working professionals, evening and online classes are offered at the Lebanon, Ill., campus and off-site locations.
