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DECATUR, Ill. — recognized the academic achievements, leadership, and service of its students and faculty during the 2026 Honors Convocation and Distinguished Faculty Lecture on April 23, 2026, in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center. 

The annual event is one of �ǿ����޴�ý’s most meaningful academic traditions, celebrating the University’s top scholars and educators while reinforcing its commitment to excellence through Performance Learning. Each year, dozens of awards are presented across the University’s four colleges, honoring students for their work in the classroom, in their fields of study, and throughout the campus community.

This year, 140 students and five faculty members received awards, totaling over $85,000. 

The ceremony also featured the Distinguished Faculty Lecture, a keynote address delivered by a faculty member selected by their peers, continuing a long-standing tradition of faculty excellence and scholarship. , Professor & Interim Director of the School of Biological and Environmental Studies, delivered this year’s speech, blending humor, personal reflection, and science to highlight leadership and resilience.

In his speech, “The Fish, The Wizard and the Warrior,” Wilcoxen reflected on his journey as a first-generation college student and the motivation he draws from student success. He used the example of the pirate perch — a fish that undergoes a unique anatomical change — to illustrate how success often requires difficult adaptation.

Wilcoxen also outlined two complementary leadership styles: the “Wizard,” who empowers others and builds strong teams, and the “Warrior,” who demonstrates courage and accountability in challenging moments.

Encouraging students to embrace growth and leadership, Wilcoxen praised their perseverance and urged them to use their talents to elevate others. He concluded by congratulating the honorees, calling their achievements a reflection of their commitment to excellence.

More than 90 awards were presented during the ceremony, highlighting student accomplishments in areas including the sciences, arts, business, education and community engagement.

Honors ranged from discipline-specific academic awards to recognition for leadership, service, and research, reflecting the breadth of �ǿ����޴�ý’s academic programs and the University’s emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning.

The most prestigious student honor awarded at Honors Convocation is the Scovill Prize, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service to the University community.

Eight students were named 2026 Scovill Prize recipients:

• Brandilyn Wegmann, Sr., Elementary Education
• Roxanne Bakir, Jr., Music Education-Instrumental
• Kaia Garbacz, Sr., Nursing
• Emma Schuth, Jr., Musical Theatre
• Cassidy Culjat, Jr., Political Science
• Lucas Finley, Jr., Commercial Music/Theatre & Performance Studies
• Audrey Remole, Jr., Elementary Education
• Madelyn Beck, Jr., Arts Technology

Here is a complete list of Thursday’s winners: 

College of Arts & Sciences

Biological & Environmental Studies

• Biology and Environmental Studies Honors Award — Emily Clevidence; Jayden McNaught; Marina Rohman
   
• Dr. Neil Baird Biology Lab Assistant Award — Chase Mirelez; Lily Monigold
   
• Clyde Dennis Award — Ava Zukowski
   
• Glasscock Family Biology Award — Hailey Gula
   
• John & Ula Leighty Research Award — Zahra Haji; Amari Terrell

Chemistry & Physics

• Dr. & Mrs. William F. Henderson Prize — Evan Allen; Jacob Bloom; Matt Brummer
   
• Carl & Lucile Weatherbee Awards (ACS Analytical Chemistry) — Evan Allen
   
• Dr. Ed & Lucy Acheson Award (First-Year Chemistry) — Lillian Enger; Britta Guthrie; Hailey Homann; Tessa Koehler; Sophia Lagunas; Layla Lucas; Loreal Thompson; Talan Thrasher
   
• Carl & Lucile Weatherbee Chemistry Award — Evan Allen
   
• Carl & Lucile Weatherbee Graduate Studies Award — Eli Rojas
   
• Dr. Clarence & Carol Josefson Award for Excellence in Chemistry — Abbey Burkhalter; Samantha Ramirez
   
• Dr. Michael Karasis Award for Excellence in Physics — Trace Shaub; Avi Sheth

Mathematics & Computational Sciences

• Mathematics & Computer Science Award — Izzy Jones; Jallah Kollie
   
• Linda Weatherbee Mathematics Award — Markus Jesse

Social Sciences

• Dr. J. Graham Provan History Award — Alexis Wike
   
• Albert T. Mills Prize — Mason Cawthon
   
• Behavioral Science Award — Ainsley Diver
   
• Henry F. Gromoll Service Award — Lorenz Delos Reyes; Anna Ostrowski
   
• John E. Vrooman History Prize — Jack Hughes
   
• Rev. Robert S. & Doris Stewart Award — Angelynn Freund; Daniel Soares
   
• Dr. Robert McIntire Political Science Award — Lila Castillo Burgess; Harris Dorgan; Michael Jouanneau; Maggie Schrage
   
• Outstanding Political Science Major Award — Haley Willan
   
• Alice Ambrose Lazerowitz Philosophy Award — Maggie Schrage
   
• Thomas W. & Mary R. Adney Memorial Award — Colin Claffey; Chase Mason
   
• T.W. Samuels Award — Katie Janvrin; Maggie Schrage

Writing, Languages & Cultures

• Dr. Grace Patten Conant Writing Award (Creation) — Aubrey Diedrich
   
• Dr. Grace Patten Conant Writing Award (Interpretation) — Elliot Holm
   
• Dr. Grace Patten Conant English Studies Award — Jack Hughes
   
• Dr. Grace Patten Conant Society Achievement Award — Kyler Griggs; Jack Hughes; Kemper Koslofski; Julia Lambert; Anna Quick
   
• Marybeth Drechsler Sharp Outstanding Journalism Award — Anna Quick
   
• Margaret Burkhardt Johnson Modern Language Excellence Award — Kaia Garbacz
   
• Modern Languages Linguistic Excellence Award — Kaia Garbacz
   
• Modern Languages Literary Criticism Award — Xiuhcoatl Perales

College of Fine Arts

Music

• Pi Kappa Lambda Outstanding Senior Award — Austin Haga
   
• Presser Award — Melis Barutcu
   
• Alice Herren Ayars Award — Eliot Conner
   
• Mary B. Merris Award — Luke Davis; Morgan Reckamp
   
• Brad and Beth Holmes Choral Excellence Award — Aidan Kostbade
   
• Wilna Moffett Award — Alex Farkasch
   
• Percussion Achievement Award — Eric Brindle
   
• Dr. Russell Tiede Honors Award — Bradley Rossbach
   
• Jennifer Ketchmark-Liska Music Education Award — Bradley Rossbach
   
• Winifred St. Clair Minturn Award — Bradley Rossbach
   
• Handler Award (B.A. Music) — Melis Barutcu
   
• Dr. Maria Klott Memorial Award — Lucas Finley

Theatre & Dance

• Joan & Melvin Grabowski Memorial Award — Moriah Jestus
   
• Dr. L.C. McNabb Memorial Award — James Earlywine; Ember Kvande
   
• Michelle Chartier Memorial Award — Lydia Dutton; Meagan Lyon
   
• Kathryn Paige Torp Memorial Award — Kenzie Bruce; Roan O’Donnell
   
• Ron Smith Award (Musical Theatre) — Camilla Jones
   
• J. Ben Wand Prize (Acting) — Abby Lowe; Gwendolynne Royle
   
• Andrew Strand Memorial Theatre Ensemble Award — Ethan Rhoades
   
• Andrea Olsen Dance Award — Grace Brixa; Natalie Mase; Mia Orr

Art & Creative Media

• Dr. Everett J. Brown Prize — Cayla Bradley; Kayla Hanson
   
• Marvin Klaven Art Award — Maliyah Battle; Charley Condill
   
• David S. Monroe Art Award — Jacob Habel; Hailey Newill; Maddie Tomblin Mazzola; Gabriel Williams
   
• Dorothy Sellers Art Award — Becca Carter; Corinne Marstall; Daniel Mungons; Madison Wherry

College of Professional Studies

Education

• Barbara & Robert Byrkit Award — Ruby Haegen; Alayna Schultz
   
• Dr. Hunt & Dr. Hoffman Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning — McKenzie Greene; Rachel Holthaus
   
• Jola Kuntz Education Award — Connor Daundivier
   
• Ray Boehmer Memorial Award for Excellence in Science Education — Joe Brummer; Bella Smith

Exercise Science & Sport

• Smith/Orlandini Award — Rylie Brumleve; Easton Steck
   
• Walter Witt Award — Izabella Hay; Kameron Ross; Pierson Wilkerson 

Nursing

• Decatur Memorial Hospital R.H. Cleland R.N. Award — Rebecca Harding
   
• Dorotha F. Dean Nursing Award — Megan Oakley
   
• Dr. Mary Jane Linton Nursing Excellence Award — Tatum Harman
   
• Patrick & Dr. Pamela Lindsey Nursing Excellence Award — Joshua Platzbecker
   
• Dr. Mary D. Shanks & Dr. Linda K. Niedringhaus Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award — Rebecca Harding

Tabor School of Business

• Glen R. Smith Award — Oakley Tate
   
• Margaret Sparks Award — Callie Hugo
   
• Chamblin Tabor School of Business Honors Award — Kyle Corkill; Nicole Wells
   
• W.J. Darby Prize — Ellie Fitzpatrick
   
• Linda Weatherbee HR Management Award — Mia Brown
   
• Judy Lederbrand Day Accounting Award — Tanya Vaughn
   
• Dr. Nancy J. Curtin Communication Award — Abigail Aquilina; Hannah Fraley
   
• Paul R. Winn Memorial Achievement Award — Katie Janvrin
   
• Podeschi-Landacre Management Information Systems Award — Payton Dominguez; Markus Jesse
   
• Excellence in Management Information Systems Award — Delaney Higgins; Luke Kawa

University Awards

• Maria Leonard Senior Book Award — Jack Hughes; Beth Portman
   
• JoAnne Trow Award — Gavin O’Laughlin; Nicole Wells; Teyla Wendt
   
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter Award of Excellence — Croix Baker; Anthony Chaney; Oshea Darrington; Luke Davis; Austin Haga; Jacob Pangilinan
   
• �ǿ����޴�ý University Greek Five Star Chapter Award — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Delta Delta Delta 
   
• C.W. Barnes Memorial Award — Carter Hocq
   
• Major Thomas G. Stoney Citizenship Award — Megan Dunscomb
   
• Dr. Jere C. Mickel Human Relations Award — Julian Keith
   
• Daniel J. & Elinor Gage Student Activities Award — Grant Gillen
   
• Helen Moffett Russell Community Serivce Award — Carissa Guerrier; Tryston Larson
   
• Eshelman Family Award — Melis Barutcu; Connor Daundivier
   
• Suzanne Curtis-Johsnon Leadership Award — Maggie Schrage
   
• Dr. Jan Devore Award for Excellence in Contributions to Campus Life — Ameena Al-Nurridin Harris
   
• Dr. J. Roger Miller Leadership Award — Alexis Vogel

Faculty Honors

• Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award — Kyle Ayers; Dr. Ralph Lewis

• Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Teaching Award — Mary Brandenstein 

• James �ǿ����޴�ý Scholars Educator of the Year — Dr. Tony Magagna

• Teaching Excellence Award — Dr. Kyle Knust

• Faculty Service Award — Kelly Slade

• Dr. Ralph A. Czerwinski and Dr. Deborah L. Slayton Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award — Angela Miller