5 Judson grads honored
Amid the exuberance and relief felt by many of the 107 seniors graduating during Judson University's 59th commencement ceremony, held Dec. 13 in the Lindner Fitness Center in Elgin, was the unexpected joy felt by five graduates who received Judson's academic and service awards.
Receiving the President's Scholar Award for the Adult Undergraduate Program was Judy Anne Keegan of Belvidere. Keegan graduated summa cum laude with a degree in human resource management after earning all her credits at Judson and appearing on the dean's list with honors. She was invited to join Alpha Sigma Lambda, the honor society for nontraditional adult students. Keegan graduated alongside her sister, Joan Minter, who also earned a degree in human resource management.
Gustavo Silva of Lake in the Hills received the President's Scholar Award for Judson's traditional student. Although Silva is a traditional undergraduate student, he started his college career after working in the work force and building a family with his wife. He came to Judson searching for a college to complete his "dream job," while also balancing work and family life. Silva completed his bachelor's degree in just three years, achieved dean's list each semester and graduated summa cum laude with a major in physical education. During his academic career, Silva volunteered at Dundee Crown High School as an assistant wrestling coach for several years and has coached his son's football team.
Student Services Awards were bestowed on Joshua Hoegh of Ankeny, Iowa, and Heather Marie Schneider of Durand, Ill. Hoegh and Schneider were recognized as the graduating seniors who have best exemplified sincerity in dedication to Christ, achievement in academic pursuit and promotion of the university's ideals.
Hoegh received the Student Service Award for Judson's traditional student program. Graduating as a worship arts major, Hoegh has been involved with the choir, serving two years as president, chamber singers, men's quartet and led chapel for three years. He also has led Upper Room, the student led worship services and been involved with the choir and worship team of Elgin Evangelical Free Church. Hoegh's award also recognized his volunteer service work with at-risk kids in the beginning of his Judson career and with helping to clean up the neighboring community of Willow Lakes.
Schneider received the Adult Undergraduate Student Services Award in recognition of her qualities as a self-directed learner achieving the dean's list recognition and earning Judson University honors as she participated in her liberal arts cohort, her major in management and leadership as well as a second major in human resource management. Schneider has already registered to begin the master's of organizational leadership program at Judson's Rockford campus in the spring. During her academic career, Schneider also volunteered as a Cohort Representative for the Center for Adult Professional Studies' Student Advisory Board and served on the University's Strategic Planning Committee.
This commencement marked the first graduating class of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, with 10 students receiving diploma's during the ceremony. One of those graduates was Robert T. Page of Kingston, Ill. Page received the Ames Leadership Award, which was created in 1985 to honor the outstanding graduate of the master of arts in organizational leadership who demonstrated the ability to use their skills to give back to their community through leadership, vision and spiritual guidance.