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The Honors Convocation, the ceremonial portion of the day’s activities, was held in Sherman Gymnasium in Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center. Catharine O’Connell, provost and dean of the college, offered remarks on the subject of excellence, after which five major awards for academic excellence, service and teaching were awarded to Illinois College students and faculty. The student marshals for the 2023-2024 academic year were named, graduates slated for induction into Phi Beta Kappa were recognized, and the Julian Monson Sturtevant Campus Leadership Award winners were announced. The Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award and the Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future were also presented.

Brent Chandler, associate professor of chemistry, was presented the Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award during the convocation. This prize is considered the greatest honor bestowed upon an Illinois College faculty member. A student committee, with oversight from the dean of the college, selects the recipient each academic year. The selection process and identity of the winner is kept secret until the honors convocation.

Isabella Aguirre ’24 and Trenton Terry ’24 were chosen as student marshals for the next academic year. Marshals are chosen based on demonstrated academic excellence and campus leadership and will lead academic processionals held on campus throughout the year. This designation is considered one of the highest honors a member of the incoming senior class can receive.

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest and most distinguished honor society. One of only 11 colleges in the state to offer membership into this distinguished society, the Illinois College Epsilon chapter was founded by Charles Rammelkamp in 1931. Those inducted into Phi Beta Kappa were Nathan Ellis ’23, James Fletcher ’23, Suzanne Green ’23, Aurora Reyes Gutierrez ’23, Abbi Jett ’23, Justine Kennedy ’23, Joshua Knight ’23, Kendall McCalla ’23, Rachel Paule ’23, Cody Phillips ’23, Anna Schimpf ’23, Olivia Shimmin ’23, Willie Terry III ’24 and Allison Woosley ’23.

The Julian M. Sturtevant Campus Leadership and Service Award calls attention to a select group of students who demonstrate active campus service and leadership throughout their college careers. Those honored were Emily Bone ’23, Ana Cacho ’23, D’Ajahnae Croft ’23, Ar’Mand Erving ’23, Sydney Geyston ’23, Tyra Johnson ’23, Jayden Kasai ’23, Kendall McCalla ’23, Olivia McCullum ’23, Crystal Moreno ’23, Haley Nieuwkoop ’23, Saydey Shubert ’23, Brandi VanMatre ’23, Tre Wahlig ’23, AR Washington ’23, Allison Woosley ’23 and Madeline Wilkins ’23.

The Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future was awarded to Josiah Kunz ’12, assistant professor of physics. This honor is awarded to faculty members who see beyond the scope of the status quo to further develop or implement a vision which can move the college forward. This faculty award was established by 1970 Illinois College graduate Darlene Nelson ’70 in memory of Dr. Filson’s vision which was for Illinois College to have a computer science department. 

Edward Capps Professor of Humanities, Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English Beth Widmaier Capo received the Enkyklios Award for exhibited excellence in the three areas the College considers in reviews: teaching, professional engagement and service. The award honors the rare ability of an individual to demonstrate excellence in all three areas within a single year. Recipients are nominated by faculty colleagues. 

The Celebration of Excellence featured nearly 100 student presentations on recent research efforts and demonstrated excellence in the arts covering a wide range of the liberal arts curriculum throughout the day. For more photos taken throughout the day, visit the Illinois College Facebook page.