Students, Faculty Recognized
At WKU Commencement
May 10, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University recognized outstanding students and faculty during its 153rd Commencement on Saturday at L.T. Smith Stadium.
Western recognized 16 honor graduates, 10 Army ROTC cadets, four faculty excellence award winners, seven retiring faculty members, five students who've completed an online master's degree program and 94 international graduates from 22 nations.
Honor graduates
Shawntel Ensminger, a religious studies and sociology major from Burlington, was named scholar of the Potter College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and received the Ogden Trustees Award. She is the daughter of Gayle and Jan Ensminger.
Amanda Gaudette-Robinson, an accounting major from Oak Grove, was named scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business. She is the wife of Trevor Robinson and the daughter of Bella and Barry Gaudette.
Sarah Rhoton, an accounting major from Tompkinsville, was named scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business. She is the daughter of Hilda and Garmon Rhoton.
Andrea Machesney, a general studies major from Fort Knox, was named scholar of the program of Interdisciplinary Studies. She is the wife of John Machesney and the daughter of Ursula Kofalk and the late Guenter Kofalk.
Brandy Dashnaw, an elementary education major from Elizabethtown, was named scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and received the Ogden Trustees Award. She is the daughter of Barbara and Kenneth Dashnaw.
Debra Ellis, an elementary education major from Elizabethtown, was named scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. She is the wife of Stephen Ellis and the daughter of Sandra Allen and Sonny Allen.
Rhea Payne, an elementary education major from Maceo, was named scholar of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. She is the daughter of Dennis and Joyce Payne.
James "Brandon" Frank, a biology major from Greensburg, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. He is the son of Jim Frank and Traci Bishop.
Joshua James, a physics major from Bowling Green, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. He is the son of Steve and Beth James.
Glenda Hisle-Jones, a chemistry and religious studies major from Lexington, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. She is the wife of Timothy Jones and the daughter of Paul and Carol Hisle.
John Kitsteiner, a biology major from Franklin, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. She is the husband of Wendi Kitsteiner and the son of Ray and Mary Kitsteiner.
Caryn Rager, an agriculture major from Owensboro, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. She is the daughter of Jerry and Shirlee Rager.
Wesley Ryle, a physics and mathematics major from Burlington, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. He is the son of Tom and Shirley Ryle.
Elizabeth Vaught, a chemistry major from Centertown, was named scholar of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering and received the Ogden Trustee Award. She is the daughter of Vince and Shirley Vaught.
Amy Comer, a nursing major from Gamaliel, was named scholar of the College of Health and Human Services and received the Ogden Trustee's Award. She is the wife of Chad Comer and the daughter of Steve and Debby James.
Rachelle Fehribach, a textiles and apparel merchandising major from Evansville, Ind., was named scholar of the College of Health and Human Services. She is the daughter of Shar and Earl Fehribach.
The winners of the Ogden Trustees Award had a 4.0 grade-point average with all coursework completed at Western. Scholars of the College had the highest GPAs in their colleges while completing at least 64 credit hours at Western.
Army ROTC commissioning
Ten Army ROTC cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants: Jerrold R. Daugherty and Patrick M. Thomas, both of Bowling Green; Demetrius A. Huntspon of Henderson; Jennifer L. Miles of Fort Irwin, Calif.; Chad J. Moreillon of New Albany, Ind.; Travis R. Murphy of Humble, Texas; Nae' Shara D. Neal of Hermitage, Tenn.; William T. Rice of Nashville, Tenn.; Maria J. Rothman of Bonnieville; Michael S. Walters of Penrod.
Before introducing Lt. Col. Carl Filip, professor of military science, WKU President Gary Ransdell noted that 56 WKU students had been called to active duty in the past three months. Those students were allowed to withdraw from school and receive a full refund of tuition. "We salute all of our Western students who have proudly served or are currently serving in the armed forces," he said.
Retiring faculty
Faculty members retiring or taking optional retirement were recognized for their service to the University. They are Jo-Ann Albers, journalism; Dr. Judith Hoover, communication; Dr. David Hartman, chemistry; Dr. John Russell, engineering; Dr. David Dunn, health and human services; Dr. Shirley Lowman, nursing; Dr. Bill Meadors, physical education and recreation.
Faculty awards
Provost Barbara Burch recognized this year's faculty excellence award recipients. The awards will be formally presented at the fall convocation.
The honorees are Dr. Dawn Bolton, Bowling Green Community College, award for excellence in teaching; Dr. Jan Colbert, Gordon Ford College of Business, award for excellence in research/creativity; Susan Jones, College of Health and Human Services, award for excellence in public service; Dr. Gordon Jones, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, award for excellence in student advising.
Online master's degrees
Five students were recognized for being the first at Western to fully complete online a web-based degree program.
Receiving master of science in communications disorders were Krystal L. Carter of Delbarton, W.Va.; Yvonne M. Hayward of Columbia, Maine; Elizabeth Hernandez of Richwood, Texas; Jennifer C. Micek of San Antonio, Texas; Paula G. Stanley from Gilbert, W.Va.
"You have set a standard for distance learning for thousands who will follow your lead in the future," Dr. Ransdell said.
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