SIC Celebrates Students and Donors at 2025 Scholarship Dinner
Southeastern Illinois College honored both outstanding students and the legacy of generous scholarship donors during the 2025 Scholarship Dinner held April 22 in the Harry L. Crisp Student Center. Guests were treated to an Italian meal prepared by the Falcon Bistro followed by an evening of recognition in honor of students and the scholarships that help make their educational dreams a reality.
SIC President Dr. Karen Weiss welcomed the crowd and praised the generosity of those who have established scholarships.
“These scholarships carry names that represent dedication, legacy, and love for education,” Weiss said. “Tonight’s students continue that legacy by striving to succeed, inspire others, and connect with their future.”
Honoring the Legacy of Forensics and the Humanities
Speech coach Jenny Billman presented three awards tied to Southeastern’s nationally respected Forensic Falcons program.
The Catherine Oldham Memorial Scholarship, named for a member of SIC’s first national championship speech team in 1986, was awarded to Rachel Russell of Norris City. A state champion in informative speaking and duo interpretation, and a national medalist in multiple categories, Russell exemplifies the leadership and team spirit that Oldham was known for.
The Dennis/Allen Speech Scholarship honors the team’s founding coaches, George Dennis and Gary Allen. This year’s recipient, Grant Dooley of Harrisburg, is a standout performer in informative speaking and duo interpretation, as well as an impromptu speaker known for his creative references. Dooley’s academic and personal excellence stood out among his peers.
The George T. Dennis Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a student who embraces the full scope of the humanities, was given to Abby Zirkelbach. A standout in speech, vocal performance, tap dance, and theater, Zirkelbach’s passion and talent mirror Dennis’s Renaissance spirit.
STEM Excellence Recognized
SIC mathematics instructor Kim Martin presented math and science awards on behalf of herself and science faculty members.
The Sam Porter Outstanding Chemistry Student Awards are named for a beloved faculty member and long-time chair of the Math and Science Division.
Cadence Johnson of Metropolis received the Freshman Chemistry Award. A pre-pharmacy major and 2024 Metropolis High School valedictorian, Johnson joined SIC after impressing coaches during an archery visit. She now balances science studies with competition on the Falcon Archery Team and plans to transfer to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to pursue her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Johnson also received the Eva O. Gersbacher Memorial Biology Award, named for the former biology faculty member, and remembered for her dedication to student success.
Two students received the Sam Porter Outstanding Sophomore Chemistry Student Award. Kassidy Beane of Eddyville, a pre-med student and Pope County High School valedictorian, balances academics with work as a phlebotomist, service as a “Chemo Buddy” at Ferrell Hospital, and involvement in student government, Circle K, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Math and Science Club. She plans to attend SIU Carbondale to study physiology and later attend medical school.
Maddie Johnson of Harrisburg, who plans to pursue a career in habitat restoration and ecology, was also honored with the Sophomore Chemistry Award. Her love of science, gardening, and a research project on invasive species helped shape her academic goals.
The June Rice Malan Memorial Mathematics Award, established in honor of a former SIC math faculty member, is presented to students with the highest academic achievement in the Calculus sequence. Three deserving students received the awards this year: Joel Hortin of Norris City, Lucas Stricklin of Galatia, and Aiden Vaughn of Hardin County.
Hortin is an engineering major and Falcon basketball player. He also serves as a student government senator and musician. A math major and top graduate of Galatia High School, Stricklin plans to continue at SIU Carbondale. Vaughn, a civil engineering student, balances his studies with work, church, and playing for SIC’s golf team. All three students were commended by Martin for their dedication to both academics and leadership.
The Frank Schneider Memorial Scholarship was established in 2017 by Carole Schneider to help provide students with an opportunity to pursue their higher education dreams in a math or science major in honor of her husband, a beloved physics instructor at SIC for 32 years. The award was presented by their daughter Monica Warren to Mary Floyd of Golconda. She plans to transfer to SIU and hopes to become a general physician.
Supporting Teachers and Education
The Matthew J. Fry Memorial Scholarship, honoring the late 1984 SIC graduate, who is remembered for his ability to lift others up, was awarded to Andra Murphy of Harrisburg by Kim Martin. A future kindergarten teacher, Murphy is already gaining experience by substitute teaching at Bella Pre-K and is also the recipient of the Eugene & Callie Walden Morris Memorial Scholarship, established to support education majors.
Hannah Wenzel, an elementary education major from Carrier Mills, received a Gladys & Raymond Carroll Memorial Scholarship, established by the Carroll family to support aspiring educators and professionals. The award was presented by SIC Foundation Chair Tim Scates.
Parker Hosick of Ridgway (not present) was awarded the Faye Mitchell Memorial Scholarship, established in 1997 to assist students interested in pursuing a teaching or education-related degree with a passion for history and public service.
The John B. Dotson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Carleigh Miles of Harrisburg, who is pursuing a degree in education. This scholarship, presented by Sonny Dotson in honor of his late father, recognizes students who embody the drive, leadership, and academic commitment that Coach Dotson encouraged in more than 200 student-athletes during his career at Harrisburg High School. The scholarship was established in 2003 to continue the legacy of helping students pursue higher education and fulfill their potential.
Jerry King presented multiple awards honoring his family’s legacy in education and healthcare. He awarded the Warren & Noveta King-Priest Scholarship to three recipients: Hannah Wenzel of Carrier Mills who plans to be an elementary teacher, Brianna Grissom of Carrier Mills (not present) who hopes to be an art teacher, and Owen Clark of Eldorado (not present) who plans to specialize in elementary special education. This scholarship honors Warren and Noveta King-Priest and was established in their honor by their daughter Joann Hensley to support students from Saline County pursuing a degree in education. They served as educators in Saline County for many years, had great appreciation for the value of education, and believed that education was key to independence and productivity.
Nursing and Healthcare Honors
Jerry King also presented the Kathy King Memorial Scholarship in memory of his wife, a 1971 SIC graduate, and is typically given to nontraditional students who show strong academic potential while balancing family responsibilities. It was presented to Director of Nursing, Dr. Emily York, on behalf of nursing student Carolyn McBrian of Eldorado, who could not be present. McBrian was also awarded the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Illinois District 25 Eldorado Women’s Club Scholarship.
King presented a new scholarship this year in honor of his mother: The “WuWu” Lou Cooley King Nursing Scholarship, named for a devoted nurse affectionately known as “WuWu.” It was awarded to Sydney Farmer of Eldorado. She will begin SIC’s Associate Degree Nursing program in the fall and aspires to become a nurse practitioner. Farmer also received the Dr. Warren Tuttle Memorial Scholarship, presented by Director of Nursing Dr. Emily York. This award honors one of SIC’s founding leaders and recognizes students preparing to serve their communities as healthcare professionals. She also was awarded the Michael Hillegas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship, presented by her grandmother, Oma Farmer.
York presented two additional scholarships supporting SIC’s Nursing and Allied Health students.
Sidney Wheeler, currently in the Practical Nursing program and entering the Associate Degree Nursing program, was awarded Carla’s Wings of a Butterfly Scholarship, established in memory of Carla Burns, a beloved SIC nursing instructor. Wheeler hopes to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.
Jaci Wood, a future Practical Nursing student, was awarded the IHIA Healthcare Scholarship. Her long-term goal is to work in labor and delivery to support mothers and newborns.
Patty Ferrell presented the Jaylynn Ferrell Memorial Scholarship in honor of her daughter to Kenlee Grisham of Eldorado and Makenna Mills of Golconda. This scholarship honors the memory of Jaylynn Ferrell, a 2011 SIC nursing graduate whose life was tragically lost in the Leap Day tornado of 2012. The award supports students who demonstrate compassion, perseverance, and commitment to the nursing profession — values Jaylynn embodied throughout her life and career.
Tim Scates, SIC Foundation Chair also presented scholarships to nursing students.
Adrianah Pierce, a Gallatin County graduate pursuing nursing, received the C.R. Gardner Memorial Scholarship, created to support local students in healthcare fields. She was not present to accept her award.
Caleigh Whiting, currently enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program, received the John & Audrey Coyle Scholarship, established in 2014 in memory of his mother, Virginia Coyle, to help provide students with an opportunity to pursue their higher education dreams.
Although not present, Casey Bartlett of Galatia received three awards this year: the Harold Bauman Memorial Scholarship, honoring a former SIC social sciences faculty member with a passion for education; the Ruth Baird Creative Writing Scholarship, supporting artistic talent; and the Wilma Hunter Memorial Scholarship, created to support educational access. Bartlett was recognized for her commitment to helping others through a healthcare career.
Olivia Moore of Junction, also not present, was awarded the Judith Elaine Milligan-Baugher Scholarship, created to honor Baugher, a SIC graduate who earned her RN credentials while tending to a busy family and then worked night shifts providing care and comfort to terminally ill patients.
Additional Award Recipients
The Richard Edward Dunk, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was created by Angie Dunk in memory of her father, a Vietnam veteran and lifelong coal miner and supervisor at Peabody Coal Company. He had an appreciation for the CTE careers and embodied some of the same values held by SIC such as integrity, fairness, and responsibility. It goes to an outstanding diesel or welding student going into their second year of the program and exhibiting academic excellence. Angie Dunk presented the award to PowerSports Technology major Chris Adams of Harrisburg.
The Harrisburg Kiwanis Scholarship was awarded by Kiwanis member Jessica Stephens to five recipients this year: Avery Henderson – future software engineer from Harrisburg, Kassidey Beane – pre-med major from Eddyville, Skylar Gentles of Shawneetown – future licensed clinical social worker, Skyler Edwards of Norris City – future social worker or child psychologist, and Trenton Clifford of New Haven – political science major and future member of Congress. It is awarded to members of the SIC Circle K (the collegiate version of Kiwanis) each year.
Finally, SIC Foundation Chair Tim Scates presented several other memorial awards to deserving students.
Abigail Jones, a cosmetology student from Carrier Mills, received a Gladys & Raymond Carroll Memorial Scholarship.
Ian Mosier of Crossville, a diesel technology major, was selected for the Harry W. Abell Memorial Scholarship, named for SIC’s president from 1974 to 1994. The award recognizes leadership, academic excellence, and community service.
Tim Scates concluded the evening with gratitude to donors and congratulations to students.
“Tonight’s recipients reflect the hard work, passion, and promise that define our student body,” Scates said. “The generosity of our scholarship donors keeps those dreams in motion.”
Enrollment is open now for summer and fall courses. To learn more about Southeastern Illinois College, visit sic.edu or call 618-252-5400, ext. 4130.
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