The Presidential Scholars Program

The Presidential Scholars Program fuses ambition
with ability by attracting the best, brightest,
and most determined student scholars available,
and providing financial support for four years while establishing very rigorous and substantive opportunities for them.

Honors students are encouraged to think reflectively, learn actively, and plan their college experiences with a focused view towards careers and accomplishments that will fortify their own capacity for achievement. Students benefit from individualized faculty mentoring, focused exploration of self-initiated academic goals, and flexible sequenced programming culminating in eligibility for national scholarship opportunities. The goal of this program is to instill students with the ability to excel academically and in the real world. The program is multi-faceted but at its core are three main attributes:

HON 1191: Honors First Year Seminar

Honors Faculty Mentoring Partnership

The Honors Experience

National Scholarships and Fellowships

Students who wish to pursue national scholarship opportunities are encouraged to do so. National Scholarships are highly competitive programs that support both undergraduate and graduate training. National Scholarships offer exceptional opportunities for study, research, travel or graduate work. The Honors College will assist students who wish to prepare a national scholarship

Please click here for more information on National Scholarships and Fellowships

Presidential Scholars 2007-2008

These students entered the Presidential Scholars Program as new freshmen in the Fall 2007 term.

Back row: Gabby Gee, Erin Wise, Jacquelyn Liesen, Monica Yoder, Jacob Wheeler
Second row: Nick Crnocrak, Christine Anderson, Kaylee Babbs, Kirsten Gee, Sam Sauer,
Kallee Humerickhouse, Sean Slattery, Maddie Trimble
Front row: Katelyn Benhoff, Dan Dulaney, Kristen Debnar, Megan Thacher,
Katie Razunas, Gina Muratori

Presidential Scholars 2006-2007

These students entered the Presidential Scholars Program as new freshmen in the Fall 2006 term.

Back row: Kyle Muskopf, Stephani Pescitelli, Eric Wilber, Stephanie Mathis, Bethany Simms,
Melissa Faller, Erin Supple, Chelsea Puzey
Second row: Hope Lorenz, Troy Tolan, Joe Astrouski, Jamiee Phegley
Third row: Michelle Moery, Lisa Piazza, Dan Rolando
Front row: Ali Walton, Mallory Holle, Bill Wolf, Hannah Mason, Hannah Smith, Sam Fisherz

Joe Astrouski, from Belleville , Illinois , is a Communications major. When he's not giving a speech, you might find him on a golf course or playing billiards.

Melissa Faller is a Mathematics and Education major from Springfield , Illinois . She loves sports and wants to travel to parts of Europe including France , England , Italy , and Greece .

Sam Fisher, from Morris , Illinois , is a Geography major. He enjoys playing baseball with friends and plans to join the Scholastic Bowl team.

Mallory Holle of Homer Glen, Illinois is a Marketing/Foreign Language major. Along with being anxious to help out with community projects, she also wants to study a foreign language and study abroad.

Hope Lorenz is an Elementary Education major from Dunlap , Illinois . Not only does she have a very musical background, but she also wishes to study abroad in Spain over the summer while attending college.

Hannah Mason is from Opdyke , Illinois . She loves to dance as well as help small children. She plans to become a school psychologist to test children for learning disabilities.

Stephanie Mathis is from Bismark , Illinois . Planning to be an Accounting or Mathematics major, Stephanie loves working with children. She has high interest in working with social charities in the area.

Michelle Moery is a History major from Tinley Park , Illinois . She has interest in University Board and wants to travel to Ireland.

Kyle Muskopf is a Music Education major from Belleville , Illinois . He is a member of the EIU Symphony.

Stephani Pescitelli is from Sandwich , Illinois . She is an Environmental Biology major and has interest in science clubs at Eastern.

Jamiee Phegley is a Middle-level Education major from Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois . She loves to work with children and wants to study abroad in Spain or Italy.

Lisa Piazza is from Oak Forest and is a Chemistry major. She plans to graduate with a bachelor's degree and work for the EPA or a similar organization.

Chelsea Puzey, of Fairmount , Illinois , is a Speech Pathology major. She loves working with children and is interested in community projects. She likes to travel and plans to study abroad in the future.

Daniel Rolando, an Engineering major from Champaign , Illinois , participates in sports, especially Cross-Country. If the sports seasons allow, he would love to travel to many parts of Europe.

Bethany Simms from Edwardsville , Illinois plans to major in Speech Pathology with a minor in Psychology. She dances with the Pink Panthers here at Eastern.

Hannah Smith is an English major from Camargo , Illinois . She enjoys horses and playing the flute.

Erin Supple is from Edwardsville , Illinois . She enjoys dancing for the Pink Panthers and plans to travel to France someday.

Troy Tolan is from Lincoln , Illinois . As a Mathematics/Economics major, he also wishes to travel to Ireland . Troy enjoys sports and weight lifting in his free time.

Ali Walton, from Benton , Illinois , is an Accounting/Music major. In her free time she likes to horseback ride, bike ride, swim, sing, jog, and watch movies and plays.

Eric Wilber of Monticello , Illinois is a Pre-Law major. After law school he plans to become a Senator and possibly even run for President one day.

Bill Wolf of Erie , Illinois , is a Physics/Mathematics major. He enjoys music and has a passion for astronomy.

Presidential Scholars 2005-2006

These students entered the Presidential Scholars Program as new freshmen in the Fall 2005 term.

Jessica Bloechl is from Homewood, Illinois. She has a broad range of interests and plans to explore various majors during her freshman year. Jessica hopes to couple her fluency in Spanish with a career helping others.

Alyssa Boynton (no photo available) comes to EIU from Decatur, Illinois. She is planning to major in Science with secondary teacher certification.

Emily Davis, from Boulder, Illinois, is interested in travel and plans to pursue a career as a writer. Emily intends to study abroad sometime during her college career.

Katherine Fehrenbacher of Dieterich, Illinois is a Math major with teacher certification. When not concentrating on academics, Katie enjoys photography.

Rebecca Grove , from Danville, Illinois, is a Chemistry major with a concentration in Biochemistry. She plans to participate in campus research projects. Rebecca has a long-term career goal in medical research.

Matthew Hagaman is an Elementary Education major with a concentration in Science from Springfield, Illinois. Matthew is skilled in the areas of computer hardware and web design. He volunteers for Computer Banc, an organization that refurbishes computers for children with learning disabilities.

Ian Hollis comes to EIU from Newton, Illinois. He is an Elementary Education major who loves working with children. Ian spends his free time working with local food drives and as a tutor.

Ryan Kerch is a Biological Sciences major from Rockton, Illinois. He is interested in the many research and internship opportunities that EIU has to offer. Ryan enjoys tennis and volunteering in the community.

Lyndsay Kirk , from Chrisman, Illinois, is a Communications Disorders Sciences major. While at EIU, Lyndsay hopes to participate in departmental research. Her research interest is primarily related to examining the theoretical and biological basis of Autism. Lyndsay is also a talented musician.

Chris Kromphardt from Spring Valley, Illinois is interested in a Political Science major with a double minor in prelaw and business. Chris plans to attend law school after graduation.

Caitlynn Mehochko is from Hillsboro, Illinois and a Marketing major. Her interests are in the creative side of marketing. Caitlynn is also a talented artist and musician.

Anna Meyer , from Teutopolis, Illinois, is an English major with teacher certification. Anna is an avid reader and she is leaning toward a career in law.

Emily Miller is a Foreign Languages major with a focus in Spanish from Charleston, Illinois. Emily is a vocalist who also plays the saxophone, and piano. She is interested in developing her Spanish fluency by studying abroad.

Brian Morrell comes to EIU from Quincy, Illinois. He plans to pursue interests in English and Psychology. Brian pitches for varsity Panther Baseball.

Alecia Osmond , from Mahomet, Illinois, is a Foreign Languages major with a concentration in Spanish with teacher's certification. Alecia has a special interest in Latin American culture and has traveled to Latin American several times.

Angela Pham is from Pekin, Illinois. She is Journalism major with substantial experience in newspaper reporting. Angela's career goal is to work for a major magazine.

Ashley Roxas is from Homer Glen, Illinois. She is a Pre-Physical Therapy major with an interest in accident rehabilitation. Ashley is a dancer with a research interest in the applications of dance to physical rehabilitation.

Debra Schwenk , from Washington, Illinois, majors in Science with teacher certification. In her free time, Debra volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and local food banks.

Jennifer Scott (no photo available) is from Tremont, Illinois. She has an interest in computer software especially web design.

Jessica Turner , from Charleston, Illinois, is a Pre-Pharmacy major. In her free time, Jessica plans to continue her interest in dance.

Presidential Scholars 2004-2005

These students entered the Presidential Scholars Program as new freshmen in the Fall 2004 term.

Ryne Beeson comes to EIU from Lake Forest, Illinois. He is a pre-engineering major whose primary interest is aeronautic engineering. Ryne plans a career in aerospace design with emphasis on new concepts and innovations in flight.

Devin Black is from Toledo, Illinois. He plans to major in History and Political Science. Devin enjoys the research process and plans to complete a research agenda as an undergraduate. Ultimately, he hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and teach at the college level.

Emily Bock comes from New Lenox, Illinois. She wants to major in Biological Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Emily hopes to work with children someday as a pediatrician or clinical psychologist.

Meghan Breen, from O'Fallon, Illinois, is majoring in Chemistry. After graduation, she plans to pursue advanced degrees in Medicine (MD) and Chemistry (Ph.D.) with the goal of pursuing a career in medical research. Meghan hopes to work in a major research institute and focus on cures for Cancer and AIDS.

David Cesar is from St. Charles, Illinois. He is majoring in Math with a minor in Economics. David is interested in a career actuarial science or statistics. He will consider opportunities in both government and business.

Melissa Dubert is from Yorkville, Illinois. She is a Biological Sciences/Pre-Medicine major who is interested in becoming a pediatrician. Melissa also wants to learn about the Japanese culture through the language and music of the country. She will explore the impact of the Japanese culture on the delivery of health care services to children in Japan.

Serena Heath comes from Newton, Illinois. She is an English major with Teacher Certification. Her minor is theatre. Serena is interested in music, acting, and writing.

Brandon Hensley, a student from Mt Vernon, Illinois, will major in journalism or English. Brandon wants to be a professional journalist and plans to pursue a career as a magazine writer.

Haley Hinrichsen, from Roanoke, Illinois, is majoring in Elementary Education. She loves teaching and is interested in educational policy. After graduation, she intends to pursue a PhD in educational administration.

Amy Johnson comes to EIU from Dunlap, Illinois. Amy is an Elementary Education major. She plans to focus on the learning process and hopes to engage in research on adapting teaching techniques to learning styles. Amy is also interested in international education and hopes to study and travel abroad.

Tim Lambeth is a Finance major from Carlinville, Illinois. He plans to study abroad in the area of international finance and economics. Tim is interested in a career in international agriculture and real estate.

Tyler Leasher is from Gays, Illinois. He is majoring in Marketing and would like to pursue a career in advertising. His interests include ad design, publication design and computer graphics. Tyler is an entrepreneur who runs his own photography business called TY'S PICS.

Lori Lienhop is from Bloomington, Illinois. She is majoring in Dietetics with a focus on the research and testing of new food products. She is currently assisting with research on a new fat substitute through a grant to the Family Consumer Sciences Department. After graduation, Lori hopes to work in food development and marketing.

Shannon McDougall, is from McHenry, Illinois. Shannon runs track for the EIU Panthers. She is interested in a Mathematics major with the possibility of a career in Actuarial Science.

Leslie McGinnis is a Theatre major and Voice Performance minor from Grantsburg, IL. She plans to pursue a career in musical stage performance. As a freshman, she has won important roles in the EIU productions: Everyman, and All My Sons.

Nathan Murphy, from Harrisburg, Illinois, is a Career and Technical Education major with Teacher Certification and a minor in Business Administration and English. He also runs the 400 meter long sprint for the Panthers. Ultimately, Nathan wants to teach Business and/or English at the Secondary or College level.

Jen Muser comes to Eastern from Coal City, Illinois. She is a math education major and Spanish minor. Jen's career interests include teaching, research statistics, and actuarial science. She hopes to study and travel internationally while an undergraduate.

Matthew Niemerg is from Teutopolis, Illinois. He is a double major in Mathematics and Math /Computer Science. Mathew is interested in the programming of artificial intelligence. He hopes to combine technology with his interest in psychology. Also a fiction writer, Mathew is working on creative projects dealing with high fantasy.

Amanda Steber, a student from Mattoon, Illinois, is a Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy major. While an undergraduate, Amanda wants to explore the global health care environment. and the delivery of professional pharmaceutical services internationally. After graduation, she wants to work in the research and development of new drugs.

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