THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

May 16, 2020

HONORS CELEBRATION

INDIANA STATE

UNIVERSITY

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES HONORS CELEBRATION

Greetings to everyone from the Dean’s office. First, and most UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC HONORS GRADUATES importantly, I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy in FROM THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES this stressful time. As an historian I can’t help but think about the Flu pandemic of 1918-1920, but I am certainly grateful that our scientific Summa Cum Laude Denotes a grade point average of 3.90 or higher and medical understanding of disease and germs has advanced so much since then. Please accept best wishes and thoughts from me, and Ahmad Ahmad Carrie Lane I wish you all a healthy summer and fall. Ashley Baysinger Emily Layer Kameron Bell Sara Ligget Despite this very disappointing end to the year and your time at I.S.U., Logan Bell Courtney Nuyen we want to celebrate all of your impressive accomplishments and Kathryn Besserman Madeline Richmond honors. I am so proud of you, and on behalf of our 400 faculty and Christian Biddle Julie Schubert staff in the College I want to congratulate you and wish you all the Hannah Bunch Shaelyn Shreve best. Earning Latin honors or being named your program’s Kirsten Campbell Katelyn Sidloski outstanding graduate speak to uncommon dedication and Chalen Chambers Bianca Sloan commitment, a consistency of work and effort that has set you apart Anna Chickey Katelyn Stokes Lydia Collins Olivia Stone and will serve you well in the future. Sierra Crowe Jordyn Taylor Milovan Dakic Alisha VanArsdale Your degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences prepare you for a Jordan Denton Marcus Voges wide range of challenging and rewarding careers. We are proud of our Yadira Diaz Romero Benjamin Walden programs, the ways in which they teach you skills and knowledge that Emily Dircks Ashley Washburn will help you to succeed in the rapidly changing economy of the Kelsie Gee Miranda Whitted twenty-first century. We also hope that we’ve helped lay the Kendall Hansen Caitlin Wilkins foundation for a life filled with learning and curiosity about society, Beixi Hao Emily Williams and a life dedicated to improving our world and the lives of our fellow Medeline Hellmich James Wright human beings. Angela Johnson Regan Zerwig Mykenzie Kostka Charles Kruis I cannot improve on the advice of Henry David Thoreau, who wrote:

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

Congratulations, best wishes, and stay safe. Dean Chris Olsen

Cum Laude Denotes a grade point average of 3.50 through 3.69 Magna Cum Laude Denotes a grade point average of 3.70 through 3.89 Kaylee Armstrong Amanda Middleton Clara Arnold Brock Mitchell Sarah Ahmer Hunter Moran Gabrielle Barnes Zane Money Hunter Anglemyer Alyssa Morgan Laura Cochran Rhiannon Morozoff Hanna Atwood Carlos Ocasio Mackenzie Colegrove Bryce Mullins Demi Beuligmann Abigail Piel Zene Colson Bailey Nier John Bontjes Jarett Posz Eli Cooksey Spencer O’Brien Morgan Cutter Julia Powell Jaxon Cronin Garrett Oxford Josette Dial Allison Reckelhoff Alexis Fortman Katlynd Peterson Samuel Dickey Jocelyn Ricket De’Jah Gigers Joshua Rex Allison Engstrom Lucas Schweinsberg Sydney Hanchett Jazlyn Rowan Caroline Gipson Tessa Shepard Ross Hanson Luke Salisbury Jase Glassburn Courtney Sledge Emma Henning Jade Siddons Rachel Graham Cecilia Soto Brandi Hisel Matthew Smith Samuel Grant Jonathan Staley Jade Hoffmann LaKara Stott Christopher Halstead Elaina Thomas Matayzia Hughes Hannah Sullivan Caithlin Helle Jon Treadway Nathan Kooi Claire Sum Keaton Jones Hannah Veldhuizen Meghan Large Brittany Vaughn Jordan Kemp Michaela Ward Caitlyn Lindsay Alex Villalpando Alex Kuhns Jennefer Weeks Autum Loughead Sabrina Walbright Kaitlyn Malek Jake Wilkinson Mariah Mariscal Andrew Williamson Casey McMahan Leann Winegard Jessika Meadows Linzi Woodard Maggie Messmer Krista Woodhull

changing topic of breast cancer genetics. Katelyn presented her research at the Indiana Statehouse in February 2020. Following graduation, she will return home to Cleveland to attend medical school OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARDS - the formal start of her long-awaited journey to become a doctor. (A senior is defined by the University as a student who has earned 94 or more credit hours.) Chemistry

Art and Design Courtney Elizabeth Nuyen is the daughter of John and Anne Nuyen, and the sister of Cole and Kendall Nuyen. She graduated from Sarah Ahmer is a graduating senior at Indiana State University, Plainfield High School in 2016. At ISU Courtney has been active in majoring in Fine Art with a concentration in 2D Design and minoring many organizations, including the American Chemical Society in Art History. She has also participated in the Honors program. Student Chapter, Timmy Global Health, Phi Sigma Iota, Honors Sarah's primary media are Photography and Painting. During the Council, and Campus Outreach. She traveled to Guangaje, Ecuador, summer of 2019, she was one of five students selected to participate three times as a member of Timmy Global Health’s international in the STARS (summer research for art majors) Program, which medical service trip team. Courtney has served the chemistry program culminated in an exhibition in the Turman Gallery. She has also at ISU as a supplemental instructor, teaching assistant, laboratory worked as the student assistant in Photography, helping beginning assistant, and Help Center tutor. She also participated in the ISU level students with their lab work. Eventually, she would like to Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) Program for establish herself as a professional photographer. Sarah lives in Terre two summers, working under the mentorship of Dr. Ryan Van Hoveln. Haute, Indiana. Courtney is the second author on a 2019 review article in an academic journal discussing copper-catalyzed carbon-silicon bond formation. Biology She has received several awards recognizing her academic achievement including the P.D. Wilkinson Award, the ACS Katelyn Sidloski will receive a B.S. in Biology in May 2020. Outstanding Senior Organic Chemistry Student Award, the ACS Throughout her time at Indiana State University, she was a member Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry, and the Excellence in of the women’s soccer team, earning four varsity letter awards and Spanish Award. Courtney is graduating with honors with a chemistry Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention. major and a language studies minor in Spanish. Beginning in August Katelyn’s experience as a student-athlete allowed her to immerse 2020 Courtney will be attending Purdue University to pursue a Ph.D. herself in both on- and off-campus leadership roles and community in organic chemistry. service opportunities in addition to her rigorous biology studies. She was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Sycamore Leadership Academy, and Sycamore Soccer Leadership Group, while also holding positions as Student-Athlete Mentor in the Student-Athlete Services Department and Laboratory Assistant in the Department of Chemistry. Katelyn’s desire to practice medicine is what ultimately led her to the Department of Biology. She spent this past summer shadowing numerous doctors in a number of different specialties. She has been a member of Dr. Steding’s Molecular Genetics Research Lab for two years, focusing deeply on the ever- Communication the Crisis Intervention Team focusing much of his outside training in assisting with mental health issues facing his fellow veterans. Daniel Tessa Shepard has distinguished herself academically and through was the National VA Police Officer of the Year in 2017. generous servant leadership. Tessa will graduate in May magna cum laude, completing a major in Communication with a concentration in Criminology and Security Studies Culture and a minor in Gender Studies. She is a member of the Cybercriminology and Security Studies National Communication Association’s Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta, which only begins to describe her extensive community Jordan Denton is the School of Criminology and Security Studies, engagement at ISU. She was a Donaghy Day volunteer, wrote for the Cybercriminology and Security Studies Major’s 2020 outstanding Statesman, and was an active member of the Environmental Science senior. Jordan, who also has a major in Criminology and Criminal Club and Green Greeks, supporting enhanced sustainability and Justice and minors in Aviation Technology and Law Enforcement and additional greenery on campus. Tessa caringly and effectively guided Evidence, will be graduating in May with Summa Cum Laude honors. new majors through the challenging core Research Methods course, She has spent every semester at ISU on the Dean’s List and as a as a peer teacher. She served multiple leadership roles with her member of ISU’s Women’s Soccer Team has continuously been on sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, including Parents’ Day Chair, NPHC the Missouri Valley Conference Academic Honor roll ;sheis a Chair, and VP of Chapter Relations and Standards. Tessa recipient of the Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner’s demonstrated her passion to make a positive difference for others’ Academic Excellence Awards. Jordan has worked as a Student- when she accepted the Rho Gamma leadership role in Alpha Chi, and Athlete Mentor. She also has her private pilot’s license. Jordan’s during her involvement in Dance Marathon when she donated her long involvement in research as an undergraduate has been impressive. hair for the cause. Tessa’s service also helped raise thousands of She has published one book review with another submitted for dollars for CODA, which provides our local community with a safe publication as sole author and has assisted in research by: coding and house. She truly embodies the spirit of a Sycamore in her dedication analyzing data from police body camera footage for faculty in the to excellence in academics and service. Tessa is excited to continue School of Criminology and Security studies; contributing to the her diligent academic work and service dedicated to making a methodology and literature review for research on phishing scam palpable, positive difference as a graduate student, in the fall. training for the Alloy Cybersecurity Firm; and assisting in the creation of a twenty-two item cybersecurity scorecard for small and medium Criminology and Security Studies sized business for the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity. Criminology and Criminal Justice Jordan also completed internships with the Indiana State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Daniel Verhoeven is the School of Criminology and Security Studies, Criminology and Criminal Justice Major’s 2020 outstanding senior. Daniel is an accomplished scholar, maintaining a 3.97 GPA as a distance student, while also being a husband, father, and working as a full-time police officer. He has spent every semester at ISU on the Dean’s List, is slated to graduate in August 2020. Daniel is a military veteran and has worked with the Veteran Affairs Police at the ILLIANA health care system in Danville, IL since September of 2011. He has served there as Primary Evidence Custodian, Ground Defense Recovery/Defensive Tactics instructor and is currently a member of Earth and Environmental Systems English

Hannah Veldhuizen has an outstanding academic and service record Samuel Grant, a participant in the University Honors Program, will in the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems. She has been graduate magna cum laude (3.84 GPA) with a BA in English actively engaged in research and has authored/coauthored at least 10 Teaching. A multiyear recipient of the prestigious Hazel Tesh Pfennig abstracts. Her work included an evaluation of Otter Creek water Scholarship, Grant has been active in Sigma Tau Delta, the English quality; a study on bioavailability of lead in urban soils; a project honorary society, and ISU’s Christian Student Fellowship. As a Terre funded by the Geological Society of America on phytoremediation; Haute native, he knew at an early age that he wanted to be a teacher and a first of its kind project on archived fish samples to evaluate the and came to ISU because of the strength of its education programs. He history of microplastic consumption by fish. In 2018, her coauthored observed, “After attending my first few weeks of classes, I knew [ISU] poster won an award for Best Student Presentation, and in 2020, her was home.” In the fall, he will pursue his master’s degree in English— abstract on microplastic consumption by fish was selected for focusing on Postmodern American Literature and Literary presentation at the Council on Undergraduate Research Posters on the Criticism—at either Indiana State University, Ohio State University, Hill. Only 60 students throughout the United States are selected or Purdue University; he plans to pursue a PhD in order to teach at the annually to present their work to Congress at this event. Hannah is University level. In supporting Grant for this award, one faculty currently authoring a manuscript on microplastics in aquatic member articulated what numerous others observed: “He was a great environments. In addition to her research, Hannah served as a student contributor to class discussion and always brought a positive attitude assistant in our front office, research assistant in the Biogeochemistry to class each day. I could tell that he deeply enjoyed literary studies, Lab, President of the Environmental Science Club, and student and he was never afraid to wrestle with complex issues.” Another manager of the Department’s coral reef aquarium and frog terrarium. faculty member noted, “Samuel’s engaged approach to his studies and his willingness to accept criticism are what make him stand out among other outstanding students.” Economics History Miranda Edwards grew up in Delphi, IN and was the valedictorian of Delphi High School, class of 2016. She began her career at ISU in Stephanie Bellovary is from Indianapolis, Indiana, where she the fall of 2016 as a psychology major and a member of the Honor’s graduated from Bishop Chatard High school in 2016. At Indiana State college. However, after taking a career aptitude test, she quickly made University, she was involved with the History Club and Club Soccer. the change to study economics and has loved every second of it. She has worked with several national Parks in the past year, including During her time at ISU, she was on the executive board for Spectrum, George Rogers Clark National Historic site at Vincennes, Indiana, and a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, and worked as an economics the Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. tutor and teaching assistant. Next year, Miranda intends to pursue her After graduation, she will work at Montezuma Castle National Master’s degree in Public Administration at Ball State University and Monument in Camp Verde, AZ as a visitor services intern for a year. eventually plans to obtain her Ph.D. in economics so she can be an As an intern she will work at the visitor center and give different economics professor. interpretation talks about the park to guests. Her goal for a future job is to work with the National Park Service as a park ranger.

Languages, Literatures and Linguistics Mathematics and Computer Science

Kelsie Gee has impressed the department with her commitment, John Bontjes is a Computer Science major with concentrations in passion, and academic ability and has been honored with department- Computing Science and Information Science, and a Mathematics wide awards, including the prestigious Mary Olga Peters scholarship minor. He works as a Prep/Pool Technician in the Technology Support and membership in Phi Sigma Iota. As president and vice-president of Center and spent two semesters volunteering as a Lab Assistant in the Phi Tau chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, the international foreign Root Hall A-015. He is the president of the Student Association for language honor society, she helped transform the organization from a Mathematicians and Computer Scientists. He is also the Treasurer of small, inactive chapter to a robust and highly accomplished the Lambda Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He is a member of organization. Singlehandedly, she planned, organized, and prepared the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He is an Eagle Scout. He international cultural activities on campus involving foods from is a member of the Marching Band, Basketball Band, Wind around the world (that she cooked herself), games and music from Symphony, and Sycamore Jazz Ensemble at ISU all on Trombone. He multiple cultures. She also solicited donations from local businesses is also a magician. He has participated in the International Collegiate in Terre Haute to support these events. Furthermore, she led Phi Sigma Programming Contest and multiple intercollegiate bands. He is a Iota in organizing a service-learning project on ISU’s campus. She member of the International Thespian Society. He grew up in planned a semester-long service project to teach the Spanish language Westville, Illinois. He was Valedictorian of his high school class, and to a group of 20 novice-level college students who were preparing for he was the captain of the Westville High School scholastic bowl team. a medical mission trip to Ecuador through Timmy Global He was also inducted into the National Honor Society in high school. Health. Kelsie coordinated with five other language students to prepare communicative language lessons geared towards their experience. Her service in Phi Sigma Iota demonstrates her love and passion for Spanish and education. Kelsie is also a standout student academically, with a 3.93 GPA. She has a firm command on the Spanish language, cultures, and grammar. She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish at an Advanced level. Her study abroad experience was at Veritas University in San José, Costa Rica. Kelsie just completed student teaching in Kokomo and will also complete the English as a Second Language minor toward Indiana licensure in that area.

Multidisciplinary Studies Physics

Madeline Hellmich is from the small town of Greensburg, Indiana. Gregory “Matthew” Siner is the son of Greg and Tammy Siner, and As a multidisciplinary studies major and a nonprofit minor, Madeline the brother of Rachel Siner. Matthew graduated from Sullivan High enjoyed studying the complexities of gender, race, and class and School in 2015. In the fall of that year, he came to Indiana State learning about dynamic solutions to social problems. In addition, University as a Chemistry major but then added a second major in Madeline continued to feed her enthusiasm for writing in Physics after taking his first physics course. He has been active in the communication courses each year. Her passion for meeting Society of Physics Students and the American Chemical Society community needs grew through her membership in Alpha Phi Omega, Student Chapter. Matthew has served the Department of Chemistry an all-inclusive service fraternity. It was an honor for her to spread the and Physics as a laboratory assistant and Science Help Center tutor for spirit of service to others in her terms as service vice president and three years, and helped develop the experiments for a new applied president. In her four years at State, Madeline studied abroad in Italy physics course that will be offered for the first time next fall. He has and Costa Rica and volunteered in Fiji and Ireland. Each international been recognized for his academic achievement and work ethic as the experience deepened her love of learning through cultural exchange. recipient of the Outstanding Modern Physics Student Award and the As a writing tutor and then a student assistant, Madeline discovered Gary Erwin Memorial Scholarship in 2019, as well as the Outstanding her interest in improving the learning experience for students by Physics Student Worker Award in 2020. Matthew is graduating with connecting them to resources. During a summer internship at the B.S. degrees in both Physics and Chemistry and plans to pursue a Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Madeline fell in love career in applied physics. with the field of public history because it allowed her to combine storytelling, educating, and promoting social change. Next, Madeline Political Science will be studying to obtain a master’s degree in public history at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Madeline Richmond will graduate a degree in legal studies and a minor in Spanish. Madeline plans to attend Indiana University Maurer Music School of Law in Bloomington. Madeline was heavily involved on campus and in the Terre Haute community. She was a founding Alex Villalpando is a music education major from Demotte, Indiana. member of the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta and served as its Alex has performed with nearly every one of ISU’s major president. She was involved in Student Government Association and instrumental ensembles, including: Symphony Orchestra, Wind chaired the Student Engagement Committee. She also raised money Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Marching Sycamores, for Riley Hospital for Children as a member of State Dance and Sycamore Basketball Band. In the School of Music, Alex’s Marathon’s leadership team. Madeline spent the rest of her time primary instrument is bassoon studying under Professor Chad working as a legal intern with the District 10 Pro Bono Project and Roseland for the past three and a half years, while also playing working as an undergraduate assistant for Professor Bolk. She took percussion in ISU’s athletic bands. Additionally, he has been part of the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica last summer to complete Signing Sycamores, Inside Out, and the Lambda Lambda Chapter of her Spanish minor and worked as a legal intern with the Indiana State Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. Alex Senate this past semester to complete her legal studies major. completed a teaching placement at Terre Haute North Vigo High Madeline very thankful to be recognized with this honor. School and is completing a student teaching placement at Terre Town Elementary School.

Psychology Social Studies Education

Marcus Voges is remarkably gifted in the classroom and in the Miranda Whitted is a Social Studies Education major earning a 3.95 research laboratory. Marcus gained research experience working in GPA and with an honors designation. Her honors thesis was “The Dr. Sheets’ Social and Environmental Psychology Lab, working as Effectiveness of the Flipped Classroom Model,” which exemplifies both a confederate and assistant on studies of human territoriality. her devotion to adapting modern technology with pedagogical As a SURE program student, he coded and analyzed data, and made innovation. During her time at ISU, she participated in the university multiple presentations of the work. Marcus also completed an honor’s Chorale for two years, and then became involved with the BCOE thesis of his own devising, looking for kinship cues that might C.H.I.L.L. organization, supporting her education colleagues and distinguish opposite-sex friends you would and wouldn’t date; his attending conferences. She was selected to receive the IACTE intriguing results were submitted for a (now cancelled) scientific Outstanding Future Educator Award. Upon graduation Ms. Whitted conference this summer. Marcus is dedicated to helping people and looks to secure a social studies education teaching position in Indiana, has participated in a medical service trip to Ecuador. When not in and at some point hopes to pursue graduate study in education with school or helping others, Marcus enjoys bouldering. Marcus will be the aspiration of an administrative position. Ms. Whitted represents attending medical school next year at the Indiana University School the best of what this institution originally was created to produce in of Medicine. service of the state—a highly educated and dedicated classroom professional. Science Education Theatre Angela Johnson is a science education and biology double major who will be graduating in May, 2020. Angela is a Sycamore Teacher Samantha (Sami) Ginoplos is graduating from the Honors College Leader Scholar in the B.E.S.T. program. She also completed the with a BA in Theater and Anthropology and a minor in Latin. She University Honors Program for which her senior thesis topic was worked on many shows through ISU’s Department of Theater. Her gender inequality in STEM fields. Throughout her time at Indiana acting credits include: Calpurina, J. Caesar; Grandma, The Sandbox; State University she was involved in the Science Educators of Woman, Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen; Allysha, Winged Tomorrow, SET. Angela spent time volunteering with Success Center Man; and Lilith Mantis, The Lily and the Mantis. Her directing credits at Sarah Scott Middle School, Camp Ray Bird, and at Cross Lane include: The Last Nickel as part of Dead in the Water: A Night of One Community Church. Angela worked as an office assistant in the Acts, and The Lady from the Sea. Sami was Assistant Projection Science Education Center during her junior and senior year during the Designer for The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls and Lighting school year and the summer. She also worked as a camp counselor Designer for A Piece of My Heart. She worked with Crossroads and office assistant at Camp Ray Bird during many of her summers of Repertory Theatre in summers 2016-2018. She worked as publicity her college career. After she graduates, Angela plans to begin teaching staff for the Department of Theater and held an internship with Art biology at the high school level and pursue her master’s degree in Spaces, Inc. for three academic years. Sami was awarded Intern of the biology as well. Thank you for all your love and support. Year through the Center for Community Engagement in Spring 2019. In Fall 2015, she co-started the campus group Sycamores for Sanders, campaigning for the presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders. Sami would eventually like to pursue more education in theater directing. She currently works at the Sheldon Swope Art Museum in membership management.