Millikin University business students receive scholarships for academic excellence, leadership
Students from Millikin University's Tabor School of Business were recognized for their achievements in the classroom and demonstrated leadership on campus Dec. 10 during a presentation of the Nims Associates, Inc., John "The Penguin" Bingham and Sharon T. Alpi Scholarships as well as the R. Michael Campbell Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship.
"It is always fulfilling to give scholarships to students and reward them for their achievements and successes," said Dr. Najiba Benabess, dean of the Tabor School of Business. "We want to thank our alums and community partners for making these scholarships possible. Our students work incredibly hard to earn these generous gifts."
Alex Pratt, of Chatham, Ill., and Jordan Williams, of Champaign, Ill., were named recipients of the Nims Associates, Inc. Scholarship, an endowed scholarship awarded to juniors majoring in information systems whose cumulative grade-point average is at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Bruce Nims, founder of Nims Associates, Inc., is a 1972 graduate of Millikin and is an emeritus member of the board of trustees.
"It's great to see the amount of work I've done at Millikin and the Tabor School of Business be recognized, and not only for that, it's a great feeling knowing that what you are doing is helping contribute to the school," said Pratt.
An accounting and information systems double major, Pratt is a member of a student-run venture called Millikin University Performance Consulting (MUPC) which helps local businesses with any technical needs they might have. Pratt is also part of an information systems course that partnered with a local organization to help reanalyze and design the way the organization is being run. Following graduation, Pratt hopes to get involved with Federal Law Enforcement.
"It's organizations and those types of courses that have kept the idea of Performance Learning true," said Pratt.
Mary Callaghan, a sophomore entrepreneurship major from Chicago, was the recipient of the Sharon T. Alpi Scholarship which is given to a current student in the Tabor School of Business who demonstrates leadership, a passion for entrepreneurship and an interest in international study. The endowed scholarship was established with gifts from friends, family and colleagues of Professor Alpi to celebrate her retirement from Millikin University and to honor her 25 years of passionate teaching, service to students and commitment to entrepreneurship and business.
Callaghan, along with Zach McReynolds, a sophomore entrepreneurship major from Peoria, Ill., own a business called Locked Up, an Escape Room that provides a unique experience for people to make memories with others while delivering affordable and changing experiences for the local community.
"It's an honor to be compared to the person who created the Center for Entrepreneurship - a place that has brought a lot of life to the Tabor School of Business," said Callaghan.
Callaghan plans to pursue her master's degree after Millikin and enter the field of finance or accounting. "I was originally a music major and then I started getting involved with entrepreneurial activities. It opened my eyes to another world of business that was available at Millikin. The Center has been such a great resource allowing me to network. I hope to continuing learning from this resource and opening my eyes to further opportunities."
The R. Michael Campbell Memorial Scholarship for Entrepreneurship is presented to students who are entrepreneurship majors or minors, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate campus or community leadership supporting entrepreneurial initiatives. This year's honorees were Olivia Brewer, a senior from Moweaqua, Ill.; Adam Macke, a junior from Decatur, Ill.; Martel McGee, a senior from Lombard, Ill., Zach McReynolds; and Deja Simon, a sophomore from New Lenox, Ill.
The scholarship was created in 2017 in memory of alumnus R. Michael Campbell, class of 1967. A passionate learner with an independent mind, it was Campbell's ambition that led him to become a successful entrepreneur and businessman in which he formed his own real estate development company. The memorial scholarship reflects Campbell's interest in providing students the opportunities to develop and cultivate the skill sets necessary to explore and create innovative endeavors.
The final scholarship presented was the John "The Penguin" Bingham Scholarship which is awarded annually to one or more students with a passion for entrepreneurship, with preference for students who have an interest in music, or secondarily, art. This year's scholarship was awarded to Shawontay Daniels, a senior from Chicago.
The scholarship was established in honor of John "The Penguin" Bingham, class of 1970, by his friends, fellow alumni and the Penguin in the Park 5K race held annually in Decatur. Known to his flock as "The Penguin" for his waddling pace, Bingham, since the mid-1990s, encouraged runners of all shapes, sizes and speeds to follow his example and change their lives for the better by taking up the sport.
The scholarships awarded by the Tabor School of Business on Dec. 10 range from $750-$3000.