Scholarships OUTSTANDING STUDENT
AND AWARD WINNERS
2020-2021
THE DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING STUDENT AWARDS 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR •
Business Education Program • RALPH D. WRAY SCHOLARSHIP
Gavin Tellor
LEWIS R. TOLL SCHOLARSHIP
Joseph Nugent
DORIS HOWELL CRANK AND FLOYD L. CRANK SCHOLARSHIP
Jeremy Glickman Mark Grandos Amy Saldivar-Castaneda Paul Syzdek Olivia Wojciak
JEAN KEMPEL GREVER SCHOLARSHIP
Natalie Wollard
BAILEY ENDOWMENT FOR BUSINESS AND EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Joseph Nugent
WARREN S. PERRY AND BARBARA J. PERRY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Megan Jeffries
NATIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AWARD
Amy Saldivar-Castaneda
BUSINESS EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARD
Megan Jeffries
OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN BUSINESS EDUCATION AWARD
Natalie Wollard
Marketing Program • EXEMPLARY MARKETING STUDENT AWARD
Amanda Anderson Cade Clodi Kathryn Hagans Alexis Kmety Julie Kolar
DELTA NU ALPHA JAMES KATSCHKE SCHOLARSHIP
Kayla Sallenger
E. V. JONES SERVICE SCHOLAR AWARD
Allison Vilayphanh
OUTSTANDING MARKETING STUDENT ST. LOUIS CHAPTER OF A.M.A.
Katie Kranich
VERN MCGINNIS AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Lauren Tapia
JAMES E. COX, JR. AMA SCHOLARSHIP
Shannon Donaldson
WILLIAM AND NANCY YARGER STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Naomi Jacob Katie Kranich
AFNI OUTSTANDING JUNIOR IN ADVANCED MARKETING ANALYTICS AWARD
Ashley Garrett Ellianna Kerkove Kayla Sallenger Emily Ullsmith
AFNI OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN ADVANCED MARKETING ANALYTICS AWARD
Teresa Greenwald Erynn Schroeder Emily Stewart
OUTSTANDING JUNIOR IN INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION AWARD
Alissa Kinast Ryan Pullman
OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION AWARD
Luke Graf Jon Messina
IMC FACULTY CHOICE AWARD: JUNIOR
Blythe Neese
IMC FACULTY CHOICE AWARD: SENIOR
Lauren O’Donnell
OUTSTANDING JUNIOR IN MARKETING AWARD
Emily Ullsmith
MARKETING DEGREE PROGRAM SCHOLAR AWARD
Emily Stewart
MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN MARKETING AWARD
Emily Boone
RON AND CATHY WHITTON – DENTSMART OUTSTANDING SENIOR IN MARKETING AWARD
Reagan Orzech
EMBOLDEN SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN IN MARKETING
Teresa Greenwald
PARAGON MARKETING GROUP DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIP
Tori Poska
Professional Sales Institute • 2021 UNIVERSITY SALES CENTER ALLIANCE CERTIFIED SALES STUDENT DESIGNATION
Reagan Orzech Cullen Schmidt Marissa Spooner Jake Tarpey
2020 INTERNATIONAL COLLEGIATE SALES COMPETITION TEAM 2020 GREAT NORTHWOOD SALES COMPETITION TEAM 2021 REDBIRD NATIONAL SALES COMPETITION TEAM 2021 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SALES COMPETITION TEAM
Shannon Donaldson Jordan Maher Kemar Miller Reagan Orzech Curtiss Strauss Brianna Wilkens Tanner Zimmerman
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR FOUNDATION PROFESSIONAL SALES LEADERSHIP INCOMING FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Parker Meyer
PROFESSIONAL SALES INSTITUTE SOPHOMORE SALES LEADER IN TRAINING AWARD
Joseph Daniele Tori Poska
ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER OUTSTANDING JUNIOR SALES STUDENT AWARD
Lauren Herrig
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL (CHICAGOLAND GROUP AND B/N GROUP) ALL-AROUND SALES POTENTIAL JUNIOR STUDENT AWARD
Braeden Honeysett
SAINT GOBAIN ABRASIVES OUTSTANDING SALES STUDENT AWARD
Brianna Wilkens
SHERWIN WILLIAMS OUTSTANDING SALES INTERN AWARD
Marissa Spooner
SOFTCHOICE SALES AMBASSADOR AWARD
Mary Casey
COUNTRY FINANCIAL OUTSTANDING CLASS INVOLVEMENT AWARD
Jacie Kersh
CALIBER SMART EXEMPLARY SALES STUDENT SCHOLAR AND COACHING AWARD
Shannon Donaldson
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR ALL-AROUND SALES POTENTIAL SENIOR STUDENT AWARD
Jake Engen
ENTERPRISE RENT-A- CAR FOUNDATION DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP IN SALES
Kemar Miller
PROFESSIONAL SALES INSTITUTE OUTSTANDING SALES COMPETITOR AWARD
Curtiss Strauss
PROFESSIONAL SALES INTITUTE OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE SENIOR SALES STUDENT AWARD
Mary Kate Bihary
JOE AND JEANNE GALVIN “32” SCHOLARSHIP
Savannah Remkus
PROFESSIONAL SALES INSTITUTE ALL-AROUND OUTSTANDING SENIOR SALES STUDENT AWARD
Reagan Orzech
PLR INSURANCE SERVICES SALES SCHOLARSHIP
Shannon Donaldson
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR FOUNDATION PROFESSIONAL SALES STUDENT SCHOLARS 2020-2021
Mary Kate Bihary Mary Casey Shannon Donaldson Kemar Miller Reagan Orzech Brianna Wilkens
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR FOUNDATION PROFESSIONAL SALES STUDENT SCHOLARS 2021-2022
Sean Coleman Kevin Cull Lauren Herrig Braeden Honeysett Nicholas Koval Tori Poska
RECOGNITION OF MARKETING GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Mukhtar Aghazada Elise Blocki Alexander Campbell Tommy Haddock Syeda Fatima Jannat Ternell Jordan Saliook Khan Jonathan Linares Sean Mertins* Muhammad Naseer Justin Oparaugo
*Graduate Assistants who will graduate in May 2021
•
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING
The Department of Marketing houses the two disciplines of marketing and business education. Marketing faculty utilize an active learning, high-student-involvement approach in their classes, and emphasize application of concepts and theory through use of individual and group case analyses, computer-simulation gaming, and client-based research projects. Students benefit from classroom opportunities to develop their communication, listening, problem-solving, and critical decision-making skills. Students may pursue a general Marketing degree or specialize in one of three sequences: Advanced Marketing Analytics, Integrated Marketing Communication, or Professional Sales. The Business Education program prepares students to become certified business educators for Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Students complete foundation courses in business along with specialized coursework in professional education, teaching methodology, and a student teaching assignment. Additional coursework is completed to meet state certification requirements in three or more endorsement areas: accounting, basic business, information processing, and career and technical education cooperative teacher coordinator to name a few. The Department of Marketing offers a sequence to Marketing Majors in Advanced Marketing Analytics. This sequence provides students with hands-on opportunities to learn data mining and predictive analytics techniques using tools such as SAS, SPSS, R, Python, SQL and Tableau to solve important marketing business problems. These skills are in very high demand by employers across numerous fields. Extensive use of company-sponsored projects enables students to connect theory with practice, and guest speakers explain current industry practices and provide students with an opportunity to network and gain additional practical experience.
In our Integrated Marketing Communication sequence, students focus on the coordination of all aspects of marketing communication such as advertising, social media, sales promotion and digital marketing in an effort to provide a consistent message to consumers. In addition to foundation and capstone IMC courses, the sequence includes courses on creative strategy and design layout using Adobe Creative Cloud applications. The Professional Sales sequence is consistently listed as one of the top sales programs in the U.S. The quality of the program is reflected in recent recognition of our ISU student sales team as Overall Champion and one of our students as Individual Champion at the 2019 National Collegiate Sales Competition, the most prestigious and longest running role-play sales competition in the U.S. Our team also won second place at the 2021 National Collegiate Sales Competition. Through our Professional Sales Institute, a wide range of industry professionals are actively involved in executive instructor opportunities, sitting on panels to address student topics, and serving as resources to sales students to develop their business acumen. The sales program is organized with five faculty members and staff, the Professional Sales Institute and an advisory board of practicing sales professionals.
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FACULTY AND STAFF Horace Melton, Chairperson Aysen Bakir Joseph Jelinek Nesrin Bakir Kim Judson Jeri Beggs Peter Kaufman Hulda Black Juno Lim Mike Boehm Kari McMullen Aaron Charlton Kathy Mountjoy Ellis Chefor Amanda Nord Duleep Delpechitre Paul Shaffer Mark Gibson Ginny Smith Steve Goodwin Yoshi Tong Rich Gordon Andrew Uhe Aditya Gupta Brittney Vietti Gary Hunter David Wallace Aaron Hurley Rick Wills Gary Hutchinson Arash Zadeh Chiharu Ishida
2021 AWARD WINNER STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES •
Business Education Awardees •
Jeremy Glickman is from Wilmette, IL. He attended New Trier high school and then proceeded to continue his education initially at Illinois Wesleyan University. He double majored in Economics and Finance while competing in division 3 NCAA Track and Field and Cross Country. While he was at IWU, he began an entrepreneurial journey and won the Illinois Wesleyan University Entrepreneurship Fellowship for a product that he recently launched on Amazon called the Tempo Coffee Creamer. Upon graduating from IWU, he decided to continue his passion for business by obtaining his certifications to become a business teacher. When he discovered that Illinois State offered a program specifically for business education, Jeremy quickly realized that he found the perfect program for him. Jeremy is now fulfilling his dream career by continuing to work on his small business while preparing to become a high school business teacher upon graduation in 2022. Mark Grandos is a Senior from Lindenhurst, IL, double majoring in Financial Accounting and Business Teacher Education. Mark is scheduled to graduate Fall 2022. Mark’s campus involvement includes serving as the Fundraising Coordinator for the Illinois State Club Men’s Volleyball Team for one year and a player for 2 years. Mark is also involved with Encounter Campus Ministry, where he attends services, small groups, and served on a Spring Break service trip around the country in 2019. Mark’s favorite accomplishment was serving as a Teaching Assistant for the ISU Accounting Department in 2019. Meg Jeffries is a Sophomore from Mokena, IL, majoring in Business Education. Meg will graduate in May of 2023. She is an active member of Delta Zeta. The members of Delta Zeta help raise money for their philanthropy, Starkey Hearing Foundation. The money they raise goes to help the local community and third-world countries with speech and hearing. Meg is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. After graduation, Meg plans to teach at the high school level
any number of business classes. Eventually, she plans to go to graduate school to get her master’s to teach at Illinois State. Joe Nugent is a Junior from Prospect Heights, IL, majoring in Business Education with a sequence in Business Teacher Education. Joe is expected to graduate in May 2022. Joe’s campus involvement includes being an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity on campus and has served as the Vice President of Fundraising. He was also elected as the Secretary for the College of Business Executive Council for the 2020-2021 school year. He has also been involved with Business Week by serving as a mentee his Freshman year and then as a mentor his Sophomore year. Joe also works as an Academic Peer Advisor in University College where he assists students with their first year of classes and transition to college. Joe’s honors include making the Dean’s list several semesters, and the recipient of the Dorothy Uphoff Camp Endowed Scholarship his Freshman year. Amy Saldivar-Castañeda is a 5th year student from Cary IL, where she graduated from Cary-Grove High School. She is majoring in Business Teacher Education and is anticipating to graduate in May 2021. Amy began her college career at McHenry County College where she obtained an Associates in May of 2018. She was inducted into the Golden Apple Foundation in 2018 as a fellow scholar. Amy is currently involved with Golden Apple ISU. During her school breaks or vacations, she makes sure to get involved at Cary-Grove High School where she mentors students in the business department. She has also made the time to volunteer with Virtual Enterprises International, where she judges high school business students work. Amy was also named the business outstanding student of the year in 2016 at CaryGrove high school. Amy has received a variety of awards including: Business Outstanding Student of the Year (2016), McHenry County College Presidents List (2018), Business Education Foundation Award (2019), Warren S Perry and Barbara J Perry Endowed Scholarship (2020), Dr. Doris Howell Crank and Floyd L. Crank Scholarship (2021), and National Business Education Association Award (2021). Currently Amy is student-teaching at Crystal Lake Central High School and has been hired as a fulltime business teacher by the neighboring school, Crystal Lake South High School. As a first-generation student, Amy hopes to be able to set a great example for other first-generation students and plans on starting a support group for those students at her new school. Amy is excited to start her journey into teaching and to make an impact in her students lives.
Paul Syzdek is a Junior from Palatine, IL, majoring in Business Education with a sequence in Business Teacher Education. Paul is a May 2022 graduate. In his short time at ISU, Paul has assumed two positions in the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. His first being the Vice President of Communications of his pledge class, where they created a business and donate all of the profits to an organization near and dear to ISU, the Special Olympics. They raised over $1,000 in 6 weeks before being sent home due to the pandemic. Since, he has been the fundraising chair setting up activities for members and other students to participate in to raise funds for their organization. In addition, Paul participates in service events like the Polar Plunge and Adopt a Street to give back to the community and keep the streets of Bloomington-Normal clean. Lastly, Paul has been recognized on the dean’s list every semester he’s attended ISU. Gavin Tellor is a freshman from Normal, IL, majoring in Business Education. He plans to graduate May of 2024. Gavin currently works in the Student Accounts Office on campus. He plans to be more involved on ISU’s campus once activities are more in person. Gavin currently helps coach football at his former high school Normal West. Gavin’s honors after his first full semester at ISU include the Dean’s List and the College of Business Dean’s List. He looks forward to continuing his education at Illinois State in the next several years. Olivia Wojciak is a Junior from Downers Grove, IL, majoring in Business Teacher Education. Her academic accomplishments while at ISU are, she received the Redbird Scholarship and is a current member of the Honors Program. Her involvement on campus includes a membership in Delta Sigma Pi (a Professional Co-Ed Business Fraternity) for 5 semesters and has held the leadership positions of Vice President of Community Service and the International Business Fraternity Council Chairman. Next year, she wishes to hold another leadership position before she focuses her time off campus to student teach. Olivia’s volunteer efforts include helping the local YWCA in the mornings and being a Student Notetaker for Finite Mathematics. Olivia had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy during the Spring 2020 semester, but unfortunately that opportunity got cut short due to the global pandemic. She hopes to go back after graduation to learn more about different European cultures and to possibly teach abroad one day.
Natalie Wollard is a Senior from Lake Zurich, IL, majoring in Business Education with a sequence in Training and Development. Natalie is a May 2021 graduate. Her desired career path is Digital Marketing and Social Media Management. Currently, Natalie works as a Digital Marketing Manager for two different companies part-time. Natalie’s volunteer efforts include tutoring younger students in their Business courses and the Humane Society of Central Illinois. Natalie has achieved the Dean’s list and received multiple academic awards throughout her college career. Natalie achieved the Ralph D. Wray scholarship last year. Along with the Outstanding Senior in Business Education award, Natalie also won the Jean Kempel Grever Scholarship this year, recognizing her outstanding academic achievement. Natalie is currently deep into the job application process and is looking forward to her upcoming graduation this May.
Marketing Awardees •
Amanda Anderson is a senior from Genoa, IL majoring in Advanced Marketing Analytics with a minor in International Business. She is graduating with her degree in May of 2021 and looking forward to crossing the stage. Amanda is very involved in the College of Business as she serves on the COB Social Media Team, Pay It Forward Team, has had several leadership positions in her professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, and most recently, has served as President of Business Week. She is a Bone Scholar Nominee, has served on the Dean’s List each semester she’s been at ISU, and is a recipient of the Rita Mae Carroll First Year Student Involvement Award, Kenneth T. Sr. and Deborah A. Glover Scholarship, William Motchar Endowed Scholarship, Rockford Mutual Outstanding Junior in Advanced Marketing Analytics, Connie Krug Award, and Jack North Scholarship. Emily Boone is a senior from Mount Vernon, IL, majoring in Marketing and Business Administration with a sequence in General Marketing. Emily is a May 2021 graduate. Emily has been a part of the Delta Zeta organization for four years. In the organization, she served as the House Manager, Head of Events, Senior Chairman, and a member of the invitation committee. Emily’s campus involvement also includes being an active member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Beta Gamma Sigma. Emily’s volunteer activities include helping at
Sugar Creek Elementary and Towanda Elementary, donating to various organizations, and volunteering at events to raise money for hearing aids. Emily’s honors include her selection as the Outstanding Junior in Business Administration Award Recipient and the Exemplary Marketing Student Award Recipient in 2020. Cade Clodi is a Junior from Manteno, IL majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communication. Cade will be a graduate of the May 2022 class. Over the past three years, he has been heavily involved with the professional business fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, first serving as the Vice President of Marketing for the organization, and then the Vice President of Human Resources. Cade has also been with ISU Career Services for the last three semesters as a Career Ambassador. He is also a brand ambassador at ISU for Monster Energy. For volunteer efforts, he coaches football at Normal West High School, and has been with the team for a year. In addition, he has worked with Midwest Food bank and The Forgotten Initiative. Shannon Donaldson is a senior and May 2021 graduate from Crystal Lake, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales and a minor in Communication Studies. Her campus involvement includes serving as a Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator on the Business Week Team, as the Director of Mentorship, as well as the Director of Advertising and Promotions for the American Marketing Association, all during her junior year. Shannon is on the Professional Sales Institute team, working as an ambassador, recruiting and maintaining relationships with corporate partners and alumni. She has also helped host the first virtual Redbird National Sales Competition and founded the High School Redbird Sales Competition. Her proudest achievement at ISU was working on the Professional Sales Team, holding roles as both a competitor and coach for national collegiate sales competitions. Shannon’s honors include receiving the PLR Insurance Services Sales Scholarship, the Caliber Smart – Exemplary Sales Student Scholar and Coaching Award, and the James E. Cox, Jr. AMA Scholarship. Ashley Garrett is a Junior from Yorkville, IL majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Advanced Marketing Analytics. Ashley is a future May 2022 graduate. She is a part of the ISU Business Week Team as the Marketing Coordinator and has been an Admissions Tour Guide since 2019. Ashley is excited to intern with CDW this upcoming summer as a Sales intern in their Education sector.
Luke Graf is a Senior from Normal, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and Advanced Marketing Analytics. Luke is a May 2021 graduate and has already accepted a full-time position as a Marketing Coordinator for the local company, CIT Trucks at their Corporate office, where Luke has held his internship for 3 years. He has managed his time over his years efficiently with his involvement as the graphics designer for his RSO on campus - ISU’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, working as a part-time marketing intern for CIT Trucks - Normal, and will be finishing this spring semester as a member of a product development team within the COB’s Innovation Consulting Community. Luke and his team are developing product ideas and plans for an innovative Kayaking company based in Southern California. Luke is graduating with honors including; Illinois State’s College of Business Dean’s list, as well as graduating as Cum Laude of his class this Spring. Teresa Greenwald is a senior Advanced Marketing Analytics and Integrated Marketing Communication major graduating this May of 2021. She is from Peoria, IL, and has been involved in multiple student organizations on campus. Through her University Scholarship, she has actively participated in the University Scholar Association and served as a mentor within the organization. She also currently serves as the President of Women in Business and has held leadership positions on the executive board since her sophomore year, including Vice President of Recruitment and Director of Operations. She was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Junior in Integrated Marketing Communications in 2020 and represented Illinois State at Publicis Groupe’s Multicultural Talent Pipeline in 2019 in Atlanta, GA. Upon graduation, she will be joining Laughlin Constable, an independent advertising agency, as an Associate Analyst in Milwaukee, WI. She would like to thank all of her family and friends who have supported her throughout her collegiate experience. Kathryn Hagans is a Senior from Worden, IL majoring in Marketing with a dual-sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and Advanced Marketing Analytics and minoring in Psychology. She is a May 2021 graduate. Kathryn’s campus involvement includes serving as the Secretary on Executive Board for Alpha Kappa Psi for one year, a member of the Marketing Committee for Alpha Kappa Psi for one year, a college mentor to a 2nd grade group at a local elementary school for College Mentors for Kids, a member of Women In Business for one year, and Social
Media Coordinator for Delight Campus Ministries for one year. Kathryn is an active student worker for the ISU Career Center as a Career Ambassador for two and a half years, the Event Management, Dining, & Hospitality Marketing department as a Marketing Intern for two years, and the Division of Student Affairs as a Student Influencer for one year. Kathryn’s volunteer efforts include helping at food banks and children’s centers. Naomi Jacob is a Sophomore from Normal, IL, majoring in Information Systems Web Application Development. Naomi is a May 2023 graduate. Naomi’s campus involvement includes serving as President of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a co-ed business fraternity. She also held the position of Vice President of Professional Development the year prior. She is also an active member of the Sales Excellence Academy. She has also been interning at State Farm continuously for almost three years in the enterprise technology department. Ellianna Kerkove is a Junior from Sycamore, IL majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Advanced Marketing Analytics and Integrated Marketing Communications. Ellianna’s campus involvement shaped her into the professional she is today. Her involvement throughout the College of Business includes serving as the VP of Marketing for Women in Business, along with evolving throughout the Mentor program the last 2 years for Business Week. She was also selected as a Project Manager with the ISU Innovation-Consulting-Community to work on a project with professional clients based around sustainability efforts. Outside of the COB, she is involved in Gamma Phi Beta where she was elected both Financial Vice President and Housing Director her sophomore year. In Ellianna’s free time, she runs a small online business where she creates handcrafted items. Her volunteer efforts include the Midwest Foodbank, Wishbone Rescue, and outdoor cleanups through the Sustainability-ActionCollison organization on campus. Ellianna’s Academic honors include Deans List and maintaining a 3.7/4.0 GPA. Alissa Kinast is a junior from Bartlett, IL studying Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communication and a minor in Sociology. She is expected to graduate in May 2022. Her campus involvement includes being the Philanthropy Chair for three years now for Student Alumni Council, an associate member for Best Buddies, and the Philanthropy Chair for Phi Beta Lambda Professional Business Fraternity. She loves being the Philanthropy Chair in order to find new ways to help others.
So far she has organized making blankets and cards for residents in nursing homes, volunteering at Midwest Food Bank, and contributing to Holiday Helper each year. Alexis Kmety is a Senior from Peotone, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and a minor in Business Environment and Sustainability. Alexis is a May 2021 graduate. Alexis’s campus involvement includes serving as the Alumni Relations Director currently, for the coed professional business fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon. She also served as the Recording Secretary, her freshman year, as well as the Recruit ment Promotions Director, her sophomore year. Alexis had the opportunity to study abroad in Limerick, Ireland Spring of 2019. She received a scholarship for this program, as well as many other honors, including her selection on the Dean’s list in 2020, and Exemplary Marketing Student Award Last Year. Julie Kolar is a Junior from Lincolnwood, IL majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications. She is also minoring in Psychology and expects to graduate in May 2022. Julie is a varsity student athlete competing for Illinois State’s Swimming and Diving Team. She was nominated by her teammates to hold a position on the team’s Leadership Council for the 2020-2021 season and nominated by the coaching staff to be the team’s Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) team representative. Julie was recognized as both PNC Achiever and Missouri Valley Conference Scholar Athlete for her efforts in the pool and the classroom. On top of that, she earned an AllMVC Honorable Mention in the 2019-2020 season. Julie is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, a co-ed professional business fraternity on campus. She teaches swim lessons through Normal Parks and Recreations where she shares her swimming expertise with the children in the community. Catherine Kranich is a Sophomore from Roselle, IL studying Marketing with sequences in Integrated Marketing Communications and Professional Sales. Catherine is currently the President of American Marketing Association and will be serving as President for the 2021-2022 school year as well. Catherine also holds the position of Professional Chair of the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi and has also served as the Service Chair. She was a mentor for the Business Week this year and found the experience to be very rewarding. She Also works as a Career Ambassador at the Career Services Center. Her community engagement includes helping small businesses
in the area improve their Marketing, cleaning up the streets of Normal through Adopt A Street, and volunteering at Midwest Foodbank. Catherine’s honors include the Kenneth T. Glover Sr. & Deborah A. Glover Award in 2020 and the William and Nancy Yarger Student Professional Development Award in 2020. Jonathan Messina is a Senior from Algonquin, IL, majoring in Marketing with a focus in Integrated Marketing Communications and Advanced Marketing Analytics. He is graduating in May of 2021. Jonathan transferred from Harper Community College Community in 2019. At the community college, he volunteered as a radio host for the college radio station and was employed at the Recreation Center. He also worked as a Front End Assistant for Costco Wholesale. When Jonathan transferred, he focused more of his attention towards extracurriculars that utilized business skills learned in his classes. His Junior year, he was a consultant for the Innovation Consulting Community, where he worked with the Woodstock Groundhog Committee to suggest new marketing strategies for their annual Groundhog Event. He also worked as a political campaigner for the Illinois House Representative, Dan Brady. Senior year, he interned with the College of Business social media page, where he helped craft new content and monitored Facebook analytics. Blythe Neese is a Junior from Lincoln, IL, majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications & Human Resources. She will graduate in 2022. Blythe’s campus involvement includes 5 semesters as Resident Assistant and Professional Development Dinner Coordinator for Business Week. Blythe is an active member of Women in Business. She also works as an Admissions Tour guide and a Service Area Manager at Watterson Towers. She plans to start her internships with Illinois State Human resources and Student Affairs Social Media this summer. Blythe’s honors include IMC Faculty choice Award, Outstanding campus leader Award, and Impossible to Measure Award. Lauren O’Donnell is a Senior from Bloomington, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communication. Lauren is a May 2021 graduate. Her campus involvement includes serving as the first Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Business Week this year. She has also been a member of the COB Social Media Team for two years, creating content for the official College of Business accounts. Lauren also is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi and has held the position of service chair and been involved in the D&I and
marketing committees. She participated in the Disney College Program during spring 2020. Her volunteer efforts include working with Midwest Food Bank, Operation Santa, Festival of Trees and leading a $1,000+ fundraising effort for Boys & Girls Club. Lauren’s honors include being selected as a 2019-20 AKPsi All-Academic Team Captain, being on the Dean’s List each semester and 8th Place in Community Service Project at the PBL National Leadership Conference. Reagan Orzech is a senior from Somonauk, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales and a minor in Organizational Leadership. She will be graduating in May 2021. On-campus, Reagan is actively involved with Women in Business, the Illinois State Human Resources Department, and the Professional Sales Institute as a PSI Scholar. During the Spring 2021 semester, She was a member of the Illinois State University Sales Team. She placed first at the Redbird National Sales Competition, and Illinois State University was ranked 3rd out of 35 universities. Reagan also competed in the National Collegiate Sales Competition and tied for 5th place out of 135 students. Her team placed 2nd out of the 70 talented schools they competed against. In 2020, she was an NCSC Speed Selling Winner. Reagan is very excited for her life post-graduation, where she accepted a Sales Development Representative role with Qualtrics in Dallas, Texas. Tori Poska is a sophomore from Lockport, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Professional Sales and Data Analytics. Tori is a May 2023 graduate. Tori’s campus involvement includes being immensely involved in Best Buddies. She was an associate member her freshman year and now as a sophomore holds a position on the Executive Board as Secretary. Tori is also very involved in Business Week. She is currently one of two of the Business Week Transition Seminar Coordinators. Tori is also an active member of her Co-Ed Business Fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. She has served on the Spring Rush, Alumni Relations, and Diversity and Inclusion committees. Tori’s honors include being awarded both the freshman and sophomore Professional Sales Institute – Sales Leader in Training Award and being on the 2019 and 2020 Dean’s List. Ryan Pullman is a junior from St. Charles, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications. He is also minoring in Graphic Design with a focus in advertising. Ryan is expected to graduate in May of 2022
and hopes to get a job in advertising. Prior to attending ISU, Ryan served five years in the Navy on board the USS Henry M Jackson, a ballistic missile submarine stationed out of Washington state. This past semester he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honors society. In his free time, Ryan enjoys going on walks with his wife Meg and their two dogs, as well as reading books outside of his course textbooks relating to advertising and strategy. Kayla Sallenger is a Junior from Chatham, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and Advanced Marketing Analytics. Her campus involvement includes serving as the Director of Social Media for Women in Business, Academic Achievement Chairwoman and Panhellenic Delegate for Zeta Tau Alpha, and as a Student Consultant for Innovation Consulting Committee. Kayla has also been an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Rho Lambda and the Business Week Mentor Program. She is currently working for Caterpillar Corporate as a Digital Marketing Intern in the Cat Digital Division. Some of her responsibilities include executing an audit of Cat.com and social media platforms, performing marketing analysis, and focusing on content creation for Cat Connectivity. Kayla’s volunteer efforts include assisting at the Community Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald House, and St. John’s Hospital. Kayla’s academic honors include her selection as a 2020-2021 Bone Scholar Nominee, ISU Dean’s List 20182020, and maintaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Erynn Schroeder is a senior from Grayslake, IL. majoring in advanced marketing analytics and integrated marketing communication. Throughout her time at ISU, she has been involved in Delta Sigma Pi (professional business fraternity), Business Week as a mentor, and the Vidette. In DSP, Erynn has served as the Senior Vice President and VP Marketing. She started at The Vidette as a Marketing Intern and is currently the Marketing Team Manager. Erynn has been recognized by the College of Business for Dean’s List, in DSP as Brother of the Week, and with the Vidette Alumni Scholarship Award. Upon graduating in May 2021, Erynn will begin her career at COUNTRY Financial as a UX Analyst. Emily Stewart is a Senior from Elgin, IL majoring in Marketing Analytics and Accounting. She plans to graduate in December 2021. Emily is highly involved on campus and University Housing Services through her role as a Resident Assistant and Service
Area Manager. Emily has also contributed to her community through participation in volunteer work such as distributing food at the School Street Food Pantry and leading civic engagement themed programs in the residence halls. Throughout her time on campus, Emily has also served as a Project Manager for ISU’s Innovative Consulting Community and has participated in various Dance RSOs. Emily’s honors include being selected as a Bone Scholar Nominee and making the Dean List throughout all 4 years on campus. Lauren Tapia is from Palatine, Illinois. She is majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. She is currently a junior and will be graduating in Spring 2022. Lauren is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and holds a leadership position as the Director of Graphic Design at American Marketing Association. She does a lot of volunteer work through her sorority and they have the highest community service requirement on campus than other service sororities. She also actively participates on Delta Zeta’s recruitment team every year. Some key awards Lauren has earned include an academic achievement award in my sorority as well as being on the Dean’s List multiple semesters. One achievement Lauren had during Fall 2020 was she took on a Marketing Internship as well as her 5 classes and still upheld a 4.0. Emily Ullsmith is a junior from Crystal Lake IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and Advanced Marketing Analytics. Emily will be graduating in May of 2022. On-campus, she is involved with Women in Business, the University College Academic Peer Advising program, ISU’s student-run radio station WZND, and Business Week. Within Women in Business, Emily currently serves as the Vice President of Administration for the 2020-2021 Executive Board and is the rising President of the organization. She also serves as an Academic Peer Advisor Leader for University College where she has been able to build upon her interpersonal skills by meeting with many new Redbirds. Her experience as a Business Week Mentor and Promotions Intern for WZND has further grown her professional background as a business student. Emily’s honors include being a 2020-2021 Bone Scholar Nominee and has been on the Dean’s List every semester in college thus far. Allison Vilayphanh is a first-generation Lao American from Rockford, Illinois. Allison is majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Integrated Marketing Communications and
Advanced Analytics. She is a May 2021 graduate. Allison’s campus involvement includes serving as the Social Media Director for Pi Sigma Epsilon and working as a Marketing Intern for The Vidette. She has also dedicated 3 years of her time at ISU serving as a mentor for underclassmen in various organizations including Women in Business, Asian Pacific American Coalition, Pi Sigma Epsilon, and Business week. Allison’s volunteer efforts include helping out at her hometown’s animal adoption center as well as running fundraisers at the local temple.
Professional Sales Institute Awardees •
Mary Kate Bihary is a senior at Illinois State University and was born and raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan. She is expected to graduate in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. During Mary Kates’s time here at Illinois State University, she was a part of the division one gymnastics team, being a student-athlete, for most of her years. Through this, she has learned how to persevere and manage her time to fulfill both her athletic and academic responsibilities. The school year of 2020 and 2021, Mary Kate received the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Award, participating in being a Professional Sales Student Scholar. This allowed her the chance to work amongst 5 other students and the professor throughout the entire year. Along with that, she also received the Joe and Jean Galvin ‘32’ Scholarship Award during her junior year. This was a recognition of Mary Kate’s superior academic achievement while demonstrating exemplary sales leadership/ professionalism. Mary Kate plans to go into a sales position post-graduation, and is excited to get a jump start on her career. Mary Casey is a senior from Chicago, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. Mary will be graduating in May 2021. Mary works on campus as a Facility Assistant at the Campus Recreation Center. Her favorite thing about having an on-campus job is the opportunities to meet new people, engage with students on a daily basis, and contribute to the welcoming environment that Illinois State University stands for. She was selected as a Professional Sales Institute Sales Scholar for the 2020-2021 school year where she worked on multiple projects and had the opportunity to be a mentor. Mary is very honored and excited to have been selected for the Softchoice Sales Ambassador Award and looks forward to building her professional background in preparation for life post-graduation.
Sean Coleman is a Junior from East Moline, IL, majoring in Finance and Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. He is a May 2022 graduate. Sean’s campus involvement includes serving as the Vice President of Communications and Director of Professionalism for Alpha Sigma Phi until November 2020. He is an active member in Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. Sean recently concluded his position as the Director of Coaching and Competitions for the Sales Excellence Academy as well. While on campus, Sean also works as a leasing agent for Young America Realty and serves as a campus ambassador for Rockstar Energy. His volunteer efforts include helping out with the Midwest Foodbank and Home Sweet Home Ministries. Sean’s honors include the College of Business Department of Marketing Sales Leader in Training Award. Kevin Cull is a junior from central Illinois, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. Kevin plans to graduate in May 2022. Kevin’s campus activities include his involvement with Alpha Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa Phi. Currently, Kevin works as a Senior Leasing Agent at Young America Realty and has been responsible for $3.5 million in sales. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and traveling. Kevin is looking forward to furthering his education at Illinois State University and beginning a career in sales. Joseph Daniele is a sophomore from Darien, IL, majoring in Marketing-Professional Sales, graduating in May 2023. His biggest accomplishment during his time at ISU thus far has been the acceptance of membership into Beta Gamma Sigma which is a highly prestigious international business honor society. In addition to focusing on his schoolwork, Joseph is also working approximately 25 hours a week at WeatherTech. This has helped him build time management skills. Outside of schoolwork and work, some of Joseph’s interests include playing and watching sports with friends, going for bike rides outdoors, and going to the gym. Joseph was also involved with marching band at ISU his freshmen year, but unfortunately did not participate due to COVID this past semester. He hopse to be more involved with clubs and activities on campus next year as things return to normal. Shannon Donaldson is a senior and May 2021 graduate from Crystal Lake, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales and a minor in Communication Studies. Her campus involvement includes serving as a Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator on the Business Week Team, as the Director of Mentorship, as well as the Director of Advertising and
Promotions for the American Marketing Association, all during her junior year. Shannon is on the Professional Sales Institute team, working as an ambassador, recruiting and maintaining relationships with corporate partners and alumni. She has also helped host the first virtual Redbird National Sales Competition and founded the High School Redbird Sales Competition. Her proudest achievement at ISU was working on the Professional Sales Team, holding roles as both a competitor and coach for national collegiate sales competitions. Shannon’s honors include receiving the PLR Insurance Services Sales Scholarship, the Caliber Smart – Exemplary Sales Student Scholar and Coaching Award, and the James E. Cox, Jr. AMA Scholarship. Jake Engen is a Senior from Cary, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. Jake is expected to graduate in December 2021. He is a member of Tau Sigma. Jake is currently servicing in the Illinois Army National Guard and is currently deployed overseas. His honors include being on the dean’s list of 2019-2020 and also being the recipient of the Northwestern Mutual (Chicagoland Group and B/N Group) All-Around Sales Potential Junior Student Award in 2020. Lauren Herrig is a Sophomore from Davenport, IA, majoring in Marketing and Management with a sequence in Professional Sales and Small Business Entrepreneurship, while also pursuing an Organizational Leadership minor. Lauren will graduate in May 2023. Lauren’s campus involvement includes being a studentathlete on the women’s soccer team. Lauren is a part of the University Scholar’s Association and is an active member of the University’s Honors Program. She also serves as a Group Leader for the registered student organization Women in Business and is a member of the American Marketing Association. She is an active member of the philanthropy group Big Brothers Big Sisters and continues to volunteer at the Midwest Foodbank in the Bloomington-Normal community. She was recently inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. This is a prestigious society that only accepts 10% of College of Business graduates. She received a sales internship with Northwestern Mutual and plans to pursue a sales career after graduation. Braeden Honeysett is a Junior from Naperville, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Advanced Marketing Analytics and Professional Sales. Braeden is a May 2022 graduate. Braeden’s campus involvement currently includes holding the Pledge Professional Coordinator position for Alpha
Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Director of Social Operations for Sports Business Society, and a Business Week Mentor. Braeden’s past positions held in Alpha Kappa Psi include being the Fundraising Chair and the Co-Rush Chair. For Sports Business Society, he was also the former Vice President of Communications. Braeden has also held multiple different internship opportunities as a student. He started as a Gameday Intern in the Marketing Department for Illinois State Athletics, and currently is a Sales and Marketing Intern for Entrust Product Solutions and is also a 5-Hour Energy Ambassador. Braeden has also volunteered for Midwest Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, Habitat for Humanity, and many more. Jacie Kersh is from Galesburg, Illinois. She will be graduating May 2021 with a major in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. Jacie has been involved in the Sales Excellence Academy and Omega Delta Sigma- Veterans Fraternity during her time at Illinois State. During her entire collegiate career, Jacie has been serving in the Illinois Air National Guard. This has been an opportunity that has led her to many unique opportunities that have been very valuable. Upon graduation in May, Jacie will be starting a full-time position at Caterpillar in the Marketing Representative Development Program in Peoria, Illinois. Nicholas Koval is a Junior from East Peoria, IL majoring in Marketing in the professional sales sequence. Nick’s campus involvement has shaped him into the professional he is today. Nick is currently a Cadet in the Illinois Army National Guard, and he is in the Illinois State ROTC program, where he will become an officer in the Army National Guard. Nick is also on the executive board as the partner relations officer for the Sales Excellence Academy on campus. In the Sales Excellence Academy, Nick works with the corporate sponsors on upcoming events. Outside of campus, Nick has worked a summer internship with Vantage Marketing selling for Terminix international the last two summers. In this internship, Nick has sold Pest Control door to door and has perfected his sales skills tremendously. Nick will be returning for a third summer as the manager of the office in Little Rock Arkansas. Parker Meyer will be a Freshman at Illinois State University this Fall. He is from Bloomington, IL and plans on majoring in Marketing and Professional Sales and graduating in May 2025. During high school, he emerged as a friend to all, and a respected leader who was a very active and driven member of many clubs
and organizations volunteering frequently with many community organizations. He especially enjoyed volunteering at Advocate Bromenn Medical Center as well as Midwest Food Bank. He loves participating in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and has competed successfully at State and National levels. He also enjoys being a board member of the Student Council helping his school become a healthier and safer place. He manages and operates a growing lawn and landscaping business with the help of his two employees. Parker interviewed and was selected for a highly competitive class called Innovative Entrepreneurs in high school where he created his own nonprofit and for-profit businesses. Kemar Miller is a Senior from Round Lake, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Advanced Marketing Analytics and Professional Sales. He will be graduating in May of 2021. Kemar’s campus involvement includes being an Ambassador for Illinois State’s Professional Sales Institute, working as a Marketing Intern for The Vidette, and acting as a General Member for the American Marketing Association. He also represented Illinois State University at the 2020 International Collegiate Sales Competition, where he placed 20th out of a total of 180 competitors. Kemar was awarded the Enterprise Rent-ACar Foundation Professional Sales Student Scholar Award in 2020. Reagan Orzech is a senior from Somonauk, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales and a minor in Organizational Leadership. She will be graduating in May 2021. On-campus, Reagan is actively involved with Women in Business, the Illinois State Human Resources Department, and the Professional Sales Institute as a PSI Scholar. During the Spring 2021 semester, She was a member of the Illinois State University Sales Team. She placed first at the Redbird National Sales Competition, and Illinois State University was ranked 3rd out of 35 universities. Reagan also competed in the National Collegiate Sales Competition and tied for 5th place out of 135 students. Her team placed 2nd out of the 70 talented schools they competed against. In 2020, she was an NCSC Speed Selling Winner. Reagan is very excited for her life post-graduation, where she accepted a Sales Development Representative role with Qualtrics in Dallas, Texas. Tori Poska is a sophomore from Lockport, IL, majoring in Marketing with a double sequence in Professional Sales and Data Analytics. Tori is a May 2023 graduate. Tori’s campus involvement includes being immensely involved in Best Buddies. She was an
associate member her freshman year and now as a sophomore holds a position on the Executive Board as Secretary. Tori is also very involved in Business Week. She is currently one of two of the Business Week Transition Seminar Coordinators. Tori is also an active member of her Co-Ed Business Fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. She has served on the Spring Rush, Alumni Relations, and Diversity and Inclusion committees. Tori’s honors include being awarded both the freshman and sophomore Professional Sales Institute – Sales Leader in Training Award and being on the 2019 and 2020 Dean’s List. Savannah Remkus is a Senior from Bloomington, IL majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales, along with a minor in Political Science. She is a May 2021 graduate, hoping to pursue marketing in Chicago upon graduation. Savannah’s campus involvement includes being a member of the Division 1 Gymnastics Team all four years. In addition to being a student athlete, Savannah was a member of Emerging Leaders her first two years in college, as selected by her coaches. Here she attended biweekly seminars to foster her leadership skills, and eventually graduated into Leadership Academy for her last two years. She also attended a week long leadership retreat called Leadershape her freshman year. Savannah interned at A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. the summer following her Junior year and hopes to get hired there following graduation. Community service includes the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk various years, the Easterseals Walk With Me fundraiser, serving breakfast at Salvation Army, and the Taste of Redbirds fundraiser for women’s athletics. Savannah has been an honor roll student all four years of college, has been recognized as a scholar athlete in her MIC gymnastics conference all four years, and was an Academic All American in 2020. Marissa Spooner is a Senior from Mundelein, Illinois, pursuing a degree in Marketing with a concentration in Professional Sales. Marissa plans to graduate in May 2021. Marissa currently holds the position of Coaching and Competitions for the student run organization Sales Excellence Academy. Marissa is heavily involved in the Professional Sales Institute at ISU. Outside of the student organization and her schoolwork, Marissa spends her time as a Student Marketeer Sales and University Support for Red Bull. She is very excited to see what post-graduation will look like.
Curtiss Harrison Strauss is from the small town of Polo, Illinois. He will be graduating in May of 2021 with a major in Marketing in the Professional Sales sequence. He was a member of the 2021 Redbird Sales team that placed 2nd at the Illinois State competition, and also 2nd in the nationwide competition with an individual rank of 5th in the nation. He has always had deep roots in Illinois State Athletics by working for four years as the mascot, Reggie Redbird. Many great memories have been made over the past four years both in the College of Business, and also in the costume, but he is ready for what lies ahead after graduation. Brianna Wilkens is a Senior from Schaumburg, IL, majoring in Marketing with a sequence in Professional Sales. She will be a May 2021 graduate. Brianna is heavily involved with the Professional Business Fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon. She has held several leadership positions with Pi Sigma Epsilon. Brianna was the Recruitment Director, Vice President of Professional Development, President, and is now a Prospective Member Trainer. She also served as a mentor for Business Week for 2 years. On campus, Brianna works at the Illinois State University newspaper, the Vidette, where she was promoted from Account Executive to Advertising Sales Manager in May of 2020. She was also selected as a Professional Sales Institute Scholar her senior year where she had the opportunity to represent Illinois State University at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Great Northwoods Sales Competition and took first place.
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The Marketing Department’s Faculty and Staff would like to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients. We would also like to thank family and friends for their support of our programs.
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