By Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A graduate of Victor J. Andrew High School is the recipient of a Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Academic Scholarship.

T.J. Jannak, (Jan-eck), the son of Anna and Tanes Jannak of Tinley Park, is one of 25 graduating high school seniors selected as 2012 SIU Carbondale Chancellor Academic Scholars. An Illinois State Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, Jannak earned academic excellence awards and was in the top 20 percent of his class each of his four years in high school. He was also involved with his school’s choir, musicals, and plays, and German club, and a member of the German Honor Society. He was also on the varsity swimming and water polo teams.

Jannak plans to major in business.

The competitive scholarships, the most prestigious and most comprehensive that the University awards each year, cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years at the University. The award is renewable for all for years as long as the student maintains at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. The scholarship is worth approximately $80,000.

Each scholarship is based on information that includes ACT or SAT scores and class rank provided at admission. Candidates also go through an interview process. The applicants show leadership roles in their community and participate in numerous activities. Successful applicants will be those viewed as becoming effective leaders who will continue to excel in the classroom along with showing exceptional leadership skills both on campus and throughout the community. There were almost 250 applications received, with 100 scholarship semifinalists invited to interviews in February.

A list of the 24 other 2012 Chancellor Academic Scholars is available at news.siu.edu/2012/05/051712par12087.html.

By Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Exceptional efforts in the classroom and their communities are among the characteristics of each of the 24 graduating high school seniors selected as Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Academic Scholars.

The Chancellor Academic Scholar designation is a major achievement for these students. The competitive scholarships, the most prestigious and most comprehensive that the University awards each year, cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years at the University.

Each scholarship is based on information that includes ACT or SAT scores and class rank provided at the time of admission. Candidates also go through an interview process. The applicants show leadership roles in their community and participate in numerous activities. Successful applicants will be those viewed as becoming effective leaders who will continue to excel in the classroom along with showing exceptional leadership skills both on campus and throughout the community.

There were almost 250 applications received, with 100 scholarship semifinalists invited to interviews in February.

The award is renewable for all four years as long as students maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. The scholarship is worth approximately $80,000.

The award recipients provide the biographical information. Scholarship winners, by hometown are:

Illinois

Alton

Eric’el Johnson, Alton High School, is the daughter of Heather Campbell Johnson. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, president of the school’s Minority Excellence Club, and vice president of the school’s Power of Peers leadership group. She earned Rotary Student of the Month honors, and is a Yale Book Club Award and Young Achievers Award recipient. She plans to major in engineering.

Belleville

Austin Pavlak, Belleville West High School, is the son of Thomas and Christine Pavlak. He is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, participated in Boys’ State, and is an Eagle Scout. He is also a Young Achiever of the Year recipient. A scholar athlete, Pavlak was the boys volleyball team captain and an all-conference boys volleyball team selection. He plans to major in engineering.

Carbondale

Kaid Koester, Carbondale Community High School, is the son of Dan and Lori Koester of Carbondale and Rebecca and Greg Mitchell of Findlay. He is a member of the National Honor Society, an all-state academic team selection, and member of the student council and the school’s newspaper staff. He is an all-state selection in football, and a state qualifier in the discus in track. He plans to major in civil engineering.

Carterville

Sidney Brothers, Carterville High School, is the daughter of Bob and Amy Brothers. She is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, a 2012 Carterville High School Wendy’s High School Heisman Award recipient, and a Prairie State Achievement Award winner in mathematics and writing. She is also a member of the National Beta Club, FCA, student government, and played varsity basketball. She plans to major in pre-physical therapy.

Carterville

Morgan Dillard, Carterville High School, is the daughter of Brad and Kathy Dillard. She is a member of the National Honor Society, student government, Beta Club, and is senior class president. She is a member of Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE), where she was the top individual scorer in regional competition with a first place in biology and third place in English. She is also involved with the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Operation Teen Safe Driving, and a member of the Carterville Marching Lions band. She is also involved with the Heartland River Band, River-to-River Band, and “Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent” variety show. She was also the 2011 Homecoming queen. She plans to major in biology/pre-medicine.

Carterville

Blake Christopher Jerrells, Carterville High School, is the son of Aaron and Heather Jerrells. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and a high honors student. He is also a Prairie State Scholar in reading, science and writing. He is involved with the Beta Club and played football, basketball and track. He plans to major in computer engineering.

Columbia

Daniel Schmidt, Columbia High School, is the son of Tom and Jenny Schmidt. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and Key Club. He earned a Sophia and Elmer Oerter Scholarship. His numerous high school activities include scholar bowl, Beta club, chess club, dance club, Key Club, and Spanish club. He plans to major in equine science.

Cowden

Brittany Travis, Cowden-Herrick High School, is the daughter of Rick and Kim Travis. She is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, and is class vice president. She is on the honor roll, and participated in WYSE, scholastic bowl, foreign language club, yearbook, volleyball and cheerleading. She plans to major in business.

Farmer City

James Tobin, Blue Ridge High School, is the son of Paul and Peggy Tobin. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and school valedictorian. A member of the student council and Key Club, Tobin is the Illinois FFA vice president, and District IV FFA Star in Agribusiness. He plans to major in agricultural education.

Herrin

Elizabeth Gillespie, Herrin High School, is the daughter of Kevin and Eleanor Gillespie. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, and a school ambassador for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (HOBY) service organization. Among other activities Gillespie is a member of the WYSE team, FBLA, the school’s math and scholar bowl teams, yearbook editor, and track team. She plans to major in business and interior design.

Heyworth

Cameron Stengel, Heyworth High School, is the son of Chad and Jacque Stengel. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and is on his school’s high honor roll. He is a member of his school’s WYSE team, and Spanish club, and participated in the 4-H program. He played football throughout high school, and participated in the school’s basketball, track and baseball teams. He plans to major in pre-medicine.

Jacksonville

Taylor Ingram, Jacksonville High School, is the daughter of Kelly and Michelle Ingram. She is a National Honor Society member, and member of the National Art Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and National English Honor Society. She is involved with the school’s scholastic bowl team, the school newspaper, participated in cross country, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She plans to major in journalism.

Jacksonville

Holden Jones, Jacksonville High School, is the son of Terry and Marcy Jones. He is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, and two-time President’s Volunteer Award recipient. He is the school’s student government president, National English Honor Society treasurer, and involved with the National Art Honor Society, science and geography clubs, speech team, and student director of the freshman mentor program. He is founder and president of the school’s film club, and involved in school plays, band and choirs. He is also involved with numerous activities at his church. He plans to major in cinema.

Makanda

Steven Michael Blair, Carbondale Community High School, is the son of Michael and Karla Blair. He is a National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, WYSE, and the school’s math team. He earned second in technology concepts in the FBLA national competition; was part of a team that was first in the St. Louis VEX Robotics Competition, and fourth in computer science in the WYSE state competition. He is a featured soloist with the high school marching band, and participates with the concert and jazz bands. He plans to study electrical and computer engineering.

Marion

Dylan Carrico, Marion High School, is the son of Jeff and Amy Carrico. He is member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and National Society of High School Scholar. Among Carrico’s activities, he is president of the school’s Spanish club, scholar bowl captain, and FBLA member. A 2009 Illinois Youth Volunteer of the Year, he is an active volunteer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Marion VA Medical Center. He is a 2012 President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient. He played football, and was active in his church youth group. He plans to major in business and pre-law.

Murphysboro

Christopher Wheetley, Agape Christian High School, is the son of Karen Wheetley. He is a member of the school’s student council, math team, Beta Club, and choir. He participated in junior varsity and varsity basketball. He plans to major in political science and speech communication.

Rockton

Tanner Rehnberg, Hononegah High School, is the son of Michael and Susanne Rehnberg. An honor roll student each semester in high school, he is an Illinois State Scholar, two-time National Honor Society recipient, and two-time Advanced Placement Scholar. An accomplished baseball and basketball player, Rehnberg was a first-team all-conference baseball selection. He plans to major in biological sciences.

Roscoe

Rachel Slick, Hononegah High School, is the daughter of John and Jodie Slick. An Illinois State Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, she is a Chicago Tribune Illinois High School All-State Academic Team finalist, and was in the top 15 percent nationwide on the national Spanish exam. She is part of the Hononegah Gifted and Talented Program, along with an Illinois All-State musician. She played three years of high school varsity soccer. She plans to major in Spanish.

South Beloit

Meagan Rottman, South Beloit High School, is the daughter of Ed and April Rottman. An Illinois State Scholar, she is captain of the school’s scholastic bowl sectional squad, and two-time scholastic bowl MVP. She is a member of the student council, a student ambassador at her school, captain of the volleyball team, and participates in track and softball. She plans to major in civil engineering.

Sterling

Sawyer David Schrader, Sterling High School, is the son of Robert and Sheila Schrader. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, he earned academic all-conference honors in golf and tennis, and is a member of the science club, Explorers, and Service Learning. He is also a member of his school’s peer jury, and is an all-conference selection in golf and tennis. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Vandalia

Zach Ehrat, Vandalia Community High School, is the son of Todd and Kathy Ehrat. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, he ranks in the top 10 in his graduating class. He is involved in his school’s scholar bowl, along with math and science clubs. He plans to major in cinema and photography.

Zion

Mustafa “M.J.” Abdullah, Jr., New Tech High at Zion-Benton East High School, is the son of Mustafa Abdullah, Sr. of North Chicago and Sharrie King of Zion. An Illinois State Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, he was the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) National High School Student of the Year for 2010-2011, and vice president of The Brotherhood of Extraordinary Young Men at his school. He plans to major in business.

Indiana

Evansville

Liz Biever, Kolbe Academy, is the daughter of Richard and Mary Biever. She is president of the Vanderburgh County, Ind., FFA chapter, president of the Energetics and Tech 4-H Clubs, and one of two delegates from Indiana selected for the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. She plays first violin strings ensemble for school, and is an Indiana State Fair 4-H demonstration contest champion in the natural resources division, and attained master gardener status with the Purdue University Master Gardener program. She plans to study agriculture and agribusiness economics.

Tennessee

Memphis

ShaKyla McBee, White Station High School, is the daughter of Charley Mae McBee. She is a National Honor Society member and a Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalist, and a Ventures scholar. Her numerous school activities include being a member of the student council, Latin Club, and choral group. She plans to major in physiology with a minor in Africana Studies.

By Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale presented scholarships and awards to 38 outstanding journalism students in the School of Journalism at a recent awards ceremony.

Fifty-one scholarships worth $46,0185, along with several recognition awards, were presented at the annual awards banquet April 15, in the University’s Communications Building. The School of Journalism is within the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

Here is a list of scholarship winners, by hometown. Where available, the listing contains the winner’s name, year in school, major, scholarship name, and the amount.

Illinois

Arcola: Sarah Schneider, sophomore, news/editorial. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $300.

Bonfield: Tiffany Blanchette, junior, photojournalism. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750; Marcia Bullard Scholarship, $750.

Buffalo Grove: Kyle McCarthy, junior, advertising. James Murphy Memorial Scholarship, $400.

Calumet City: Calvin Dixon, junior, advertising. Anne West Lindsey Scholarship, $500; Journalism Alumnus Scholarship, $300.

Calumet City: Morgan-Symone Hopkins, sophomore, advertising. Journalism Faculty Scholarship, $430.

Calumet City: Brandon Willingham, junior, news-editorial. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $300.

Carbondale: Matthew McGuire, junior, new media news production. Michael Porcaro Scholarship, $1,845; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Carbondale: Syed Khalid Nafis, sophomore, news/editorial. Jim Bitterman Scholarship, $1,050; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Carbondale: Ai Saito, sophomore, photojournalism. Jim Bittermann Scholarship, $1,050; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Centralia: Jordan Vandeveer, sophomore, news/editorial. Charles C. Clayton Scholarship, $200.

Champaign: Samuel Knepler, freshman, new media news production. Anne West-Lindsey Scholarship, $800.

Chicago: Christine Emmons, freshman, advertising. Donald Hileman Memorial Scholarship, $370.

Chicago: Tatyana Hills, sophomore, news/editorial. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $500.

Chicago: Willie Porter, sophomore, advertising. Anne West-Lindsey Scholarship, $200.

Chicago Heights: Whitney Way, junior, news editorial. Southern Illinois Editorial Association Scholarship, $600; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $400.

Chester: Jennifer Gonzalez, senior, photojournalism. Steven B. Hahn Memorial Scholarship, $1,725; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Danville: Lauren Groppi, junior, advertising. Southern Illinois Editorial Association Scholarship, $600.

Decatur: Jacoby Duckworth, sophomore, advertising. Anne West-Lindsey Scholarship, $2,000.

Dix: Lauren Duncan, junior, news/editorial. Polly Robinson Memorial Scholarship, $1,875.

Edwardsville: Steve Matzker, senior, photojournalism. Ryan Rendleman Photojournalism Scholarship, $3,190; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Effingham: Alyssa Long, sophomore, photojournalism. Small-Seright Scholarship, $800.

Elmhurst: Sarah Mitchell, freshman, news/editorial. Charles C. Clayton Scholarship, $400.

Fairfield: Samantha Vaughan, junior, photojournalism, Linda Henson Photojournalism Scholarship, $1,300; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Flora: Danielle McGrew, junior, photojournalism. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $1,500.

Glen Carbon: Tara Kulash, senior, news/editorial. Ray Serati-Ben Kiningham Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association Scholarship, $500.

Godfrey: Nathan Hoefort, freshman, photojournalism. Bill Harmon Scholarship, $480.

Lombard: John Wilson, junior, advertising. Anne West-Lindsey Scholarship, $2,000.

Marion: Phillip Riley Swinford, sophomore, news/editorial. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750; Karl Monroe Scholarship, $600.

Morrison: Marta Bender, Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, sophomore, new media news production. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $1,500.

North Chicago: Maurice Hatch, sophomore, advertising. Paisley Family Scholarship, $600.

Ottawa: Nathan Green, sophomore, photojournalism. Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $300.

Pecatonica: Haley Shaw, sophomore, advertising. Charles Feirich Memorial Scholarship, $1,000.

Peoria: Eric Eagan, junior, advertising. William Lyons Scholarship, $800.

Ridott: Ariel Hitchcock, sophomore, advertising. Steven B. Hahn Memorial Scholarship, $1,725.

Vandalia: Brooke Pippins, junior, advertising. Charlotte Thompson Suhler Advertising Award, $1,550.

West Chicago: Lynette Oostmeyer, junior, photojournalism. Judith Roales Scholarship, $2,000; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

Wheaton: Sally Specht, junior, advertising. Anne West-Lindsey Scholarship, $300; Golden Quill Award, $100.

Missouri

St. Louis: Anthony Pickens, junior, news/editorial. Michael Porcaro Scholarship, $1,845; Harry and Helen Stonecipher Scholarship, $750.

By Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — For Alexis Bergman, Brock Kabat and Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s other top scholars, the opportunity to excel in the classroom is due in part to a little white ball.

The annual SIU Carbondale Chancellor Academic Scholarship Golf Outing later this month is a critical component in attracting the best students to the University and helping them achieve their highest potential. Hosted by Chancellor Rita Cheng, the golf outing is Friday, May 18, at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center in Carbondale.

“These scholarship recipients are outstanding role models in the classroom and in the community,” Cheng said. “Other institutions extend similar scholarship offers, and the support of our golfers and sponsors is critical to attracting these high-caliber students.”

Registration for the golf outing and event sponsorship are still available. The recommended registration deadline is May 9. Sponsorship information or tournament registration is available by contacting Barb Bogard with the SIU Foundation at 618/453-4914.

Bergman and Kabat are two of the current SIU Carbondale Chancellor Academic Scholarship recipients, and for both, the scholarships play an integral role in their current success and in what each hopes to accomplish. Bergman, a junior from Quincy, is a 2009 recipient. She is majoring in zoology with a minor in chemistry; her field of interest is marine biology with an emphasis on public outreach.

The scholarship enables her to “submerse myself in a passion that stretches far to the coast,” Bergman said.

The scholarship “has allowed me to pursue my true interest in marine biology,” she said. “Without the financial burdens of college, I was able to use my funds to travel to Gloucester, Mass., and intern for The Whale Center of New England, where I collected behavioral data on humpback whales and educated the public on the species and its conservation.

“This opportunity allowed me to learn about my field outside of the classroom and showed me that my true passion lies in educating the public about the creatures I love,” she said.

The University’s most prestigious scholarship covers in-state tuition, mandatory fees and double-occupancy room and board for four years. The competitive scholarship is worth approximately $80,000, and is renewable for all four years as long as students maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Kabat, also a 2009 recipient from Scheller, is a junior majoring in physiology with a minor in chemistry. He is interested in medical research, particularly oncology or cardiac care, and hopes to attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree. Kabat is considering applying for National Institutes of Health-accredited Medical Scientist Training Programs to earn both an M.D. and doctorate to pursue clinical research.

Earning the scholarship “has been and continues to be critical to my success,” he said. “Being recognized and rewarded for being a scholar has motivated me to give my best effort in the classroom as a student and a model citizen for the community.”

Success in the classroom and in the community is a common theme among chancellor scholarship recipients. Three previous recipients — Lee Stewart, Jessica Stout and Jordan Kabat — earned national honors last week with their selection to the annual USA Today All-USA College Academic Team. Only 60 students nationwide earn the honor each year.

Many scholarship recipients also regularly earn the University’s “25 Most Distinguished Seniors” honor.

Approximately 100 scholarship semifinalists participated in interviews in February. The graduating high school seniors who comprise the 2012-2013 Chancellor Scholarship class will be at the golf outing to meet participants.

“This tournament is about the students,” said Bryan C. Vagner, assistant vice chancellor with the SIU Foundation. “This money is used to recruit the best and the brightest students to SIU Carbondale. Participants tell me this tournament is one of the best that they attend.”

710 Bookstore and Attitude Designs is an event sponsor. Randy Johnson, the general manager, said the scholarship highlights the University’s success. The business looked to provide something with a positive campus impact and the tournament sponsorship is a good fit, he said.

“There is nothing that affects us more than enrollment,” he said. “This event fits what we were looking for in two ways — providing financial support for students and providing a way to bring quality students to campus.”

Brock Kabat, the son of Mark and Lori Kabat of Scheller, chose SIU Carbondale over St. Louis University due to the scholarship’s financial aid, more research opportunities, and family tradition. He is the third generation to attend SIU Carbondale.

He is president of Scholars United in Making Major Impacts a Tradition (SUMMIT), a registered student organization for all presidential-chancellor scholars. He is also vice president of Kappa Alpha Order, a Greek social fraternity, and entertainment chair of “Up ‘til Dawn,” a collegiate fund-raising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Kabat notes the University offers many great research opportunities to students interested in pursuing them. He has worked in the School of Medicine’s physiology department for three years researching the role of forkhead transcription factors in pituitary development. His research looks to “uncover the role of proteins responsible for cell death in pituitary organogenesis.”

Bergman, the daughter of David and Susan Bergman of Quincy, plans to go to graduate school and study marine biology. Becoming a scholarship recipient was a goal of hers since she was a high school freshman, and the impetus for working hard for her grades and active involvement in high school, Bergman said.

“It shaped me to be a leader and make a difference through the talents I have been given,” she said. “Seeing my actions and hard work pay off gave me such satisfaction and taught me that I can accomplish incredible things.”

She is involved in the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge Program and has spent time during spring break building homes for low-income families. She is vice president of the Wildlife Society-Zoology Club, which participates in the annual Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge clean-up day, as well as Green Earth Inc., which helps to rebuild and manage trails. She is also the SUMMIT secretary and volunteers for “Up ‘til Dawn” each year.

Bergman said she chose SIU Carbondale because of the zoology program and the opportunity to “learn first-hand from the outdoor classroom that this campus is a part of,” adding the important opportunity to learn from “esteemed faculty who have supported and guided my undergraduate career.”

“I knew that I was not only going to learn about zoology from books, but also from Thompson Woods and Campus Lake,” Bergman said. “It was everything I hoped for in an institution, a school that cared as much about its environment and the ecosystems it supported as I did.”