SIU Carbondale Chancellor Scholarship Program recipients – Chancellor Austin Lane (center), Meera Komarraju, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs (left of Chancellor Lane) and LaShonda Stewart, Chancellor Scholarship program director (far left, front row) stand with the 2021 SIU Chancellor Scholarship Program recipients. (Photos by Yenitza Melgoza)
September 15, 2021
SIU Carbondale awards 35 Chancellor and Provost Scholarships for 2021-2022
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Exceptional efforts in the classroom and in their communities helped this year’s scholars at Southern Illinois University Carbondale stand out from their peers.
The Chancellor’s Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious freshman award, is a significant achievement for the students as it covers tuition, mandatory fees, room and board for four years. The 28 students who are receiving this year’s awards, were selected from a pool of over 500 applicants who competed for this year’s award, SIU’s largest number of applicants for this award in six years.
The Provost’s Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious transfer student award, is a significant achievement for transfer students as it covers tuition and mandatory fees for two years. The seven recipients were among 136 applicants who competed for the scholarship.
The selections were based on students’ academic credentials, an essay and a virtual interview. The applicants also have a record of leadership in their communities and participation in numerous extracurricular activities. All scholars are welcomed as members of the Chancellor’s Scholars Program, where they participate in campus leadership and service to SIU and the Carbondale community and participate in a variety of enrichment opportunities.
Ashkum
Shelby Basham is the daughter of Christina and Christopher Basham. She is a May 2021 graduate of Clifton Central High School, attended Kankakee Community College where she earned presidential list honors and was Illinois FFA Section 10 president. She earned numerous agricultural-related honors including president of the Clifton Central chapter of the National FFA Organization, Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future of Agriculture Award, a Youth in Agricultural Education representative and an Illinois 4-H Livestock Ambassador. She participated in theater, the Spanish Club and basketball. She is majoring in agricultural systems and education, with a concentration in agricultural communications, and a second major in agribusiness economics.
Benton
Reece Johnson is the son of Dawn and Benjy Johnson. A May 2021 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, Johnson was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a two-time Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association all-state selection, and two-time all-state cross-country selection. Johnson was a 2021 Southern Illinoisan Scholar Athlete of the Year selection. He is majoring in mathematics education.
Bloomington
Kiva Schobernd is the daughter of Kelly and Zachary Schobernd. A December 2020 graduate of Normal Community West High School, Schobernd graduated with high honors and was a National Honor Society member. She was an Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) state-recognized upright bassist and a two-time recipient of the high school’s outstanding musician award. She was also a four-time ILMEA solo and ensemble winner. She participated in the high school’s chamber and jazz orchestras, wind ensemble, marching band, and pit orchestra. She is majoring in mortuary science and funeral service.
Carbondale
Cheyenne Santos is the daughter of Ernest Lusk of Pinckneyville and niece of Vikki McCrary of Du Quoin. She is a May 2021 graduate of John A. Logan College, where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is majoring in criminology and criminal justice with a minor in forensic science.
Columbia
Lexi Mueller is the daughter of Pamela and Matthew Mueller of Valmeyer. A May 2020 graduate of Valmeyer High School, Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, she was the Illinois FFA State President for 2020. Her numerous awards include an honorary Valmeyer FFA Chapter degree in 2021, a national “I Dare You Award” in 2019 and Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award for 2019. She was a Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Immersion Scholar and involved with the Monroe County 4-H and 4-H Teens as Teachers. She is majoring in agricultural systems and education with a concentration in agricultural education, and a minor in horticulture.
Cornell
Kaleigh White is the daughter of Megan and Tim White. A May 2021 graduate of Flanagan-Cornell High School, she was a National Honor Society member and on the high honor roll. She was also a member of the school’s scholastic bowl, band and volleyball team, and was named to the Heart of Illinois Conference All-Academic team. She also participated in peer partners and earned the school board’s scholar award. She is majoring in chemistry.
Du Quoin
David Gomes is the son of Jackie and Jesse Gomes. A May 2021 graduate of Du Quoin High School, he was a National Honor Society member, student council vice president and student senate member. He was involved with scholar bowl, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the high school’s marching and concert bands, cross-country, track and field and swimming. He is majoring in psychology with a minor in neuroscience.
Du Quoin
Vianey Sanchez is the daughter of Susana Lemus and Cuauhtemoc Sanchez. She is a May 2021 graduate of John A. Logan College and is a Du Quoin High School graduate. She received several scholarships including the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute’s Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders; the Betty and John McDaniels Scholarship from the SIU Carbondale College of Liberal Arts; a John A. Logan College Foundation Academic/Vocational Scholarship and the Du Quoin Police Department Jim Booker Memorial Scholarship. She is majoring in English.
Equality
Morgan Schmitt is the daughter of Chris Bayer of Equality and Justin Schmitt of Shawneetown. A May 2021 graduate of Gallatin County High School and co-valedictorian, Schmitt was class officer, student council treasurer and part of the school’s beta club technology team that finished first at state and a marketing team that was second at state and eighth in nationals. She placed first in biology in the Academic Challenge Engineering and Science regionals. Schmitt participated in volleyball and was involved in the school’s book club, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America, the Gallatin County chapter of the National FFA Organization, and the school’s yearbook club. She is majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in biomedical sciences, with a minor in chemistry.
Flora
Mekenzie Wheeler is the daughter of Cathy Williams and Kyle Wheeler of Flora. A May 2021 graduate of Wabash Valley College with an associate degree focusing on agriculture production/business, Wheeler graduated from Flora High School in 2019. She was a member of the college’s collegiate farm bureau where she was vice president and the agriculture education club. She was the president of the Flora chapter of the National FFA Organization and was a high honor student in high school. She is majoring in agricultural system and education, with a concentration in agricultural education.
Franklin
Bethany Bergschneider is the daughter of Paul and Janie Bergschneider. A May 2021 graduate of Franklin High School, she was a National Honor Society member and earned high honors. She participated in scholar bowl, Four-H Club, “poetry out loud,” yearbook, cross-country and class of 2021 leadership. She received an Illinois Masonic Healthcare Scholarship. She is majoring in physiology on the pre-med track, with a minor in chemistry.
Galatia
Luke Eisenhauer is the son of Anne and Matt Eisenhauer. A homeschooled, dual credit student, Eisenhauer earned an associate degree from Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) in May 2021. He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was on the SIC President’s List, earned a Veterans Administration Voluntary Service Award and was a Red Coat ambassador with the Marion VA. He was also a student government senator at SIU and participated in the Teen Pact Leadership School at the Illinois State Capitol. He is majoring in business analytics.
Goreville
Alexis Steinsultz is the daughter of Nicki and Jarrett Steinsultz. An Illinois State Scholar, she is May 2021 graduate of Goreville High School and attended Shawnee Community College, where she earned an Escrow Scholarship. In high school, she was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, beta club, scholar bowl, and Academic Challenge competition. She is majoring in biological sciences with minors in chemistry and psychology.
Highland
Autumn Meyer is the daughter of Michelle and Anthony Meyer. A member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society, the May 2021 graduate of Highland High School received numerous scholarships and awards. She was creator and teacher of the high school’s sign language club and sign language interpreter for school plays, community children’s musicals and madrigal choir. A class officer for three years, Meyer was an executive student council member, show choir dance captain, high school ambassador and multicultural club member. She also participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and community and school musicals and plays. Meyer is majoring in art with a concentration in painting, with a minor in american sign language.
Hudson
Madison Piazza is the daughter of Melodie Piazza of San Francisco, California and Todd Piazza of Manteno. She is a May 2021 graduate of Normal Community West High School, where she was she was National Honor Society president and a member of the national English, Spanish and math honor societies. She earned a scholastic achievement award, academic achievement award and Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. She participated in cross-country and track and field, the Key Club, Promise Club, the high school’s freshman mentoring program and athletic leadership council. She is majoring in elementary education with a minor in Spanish.
Johnston City
Caden Cockburn is the son of Channa and Travis Cockburn. An Illinois State Scholar and Johnston City High School valedictorian, the May 2021 graduate was president of his high school’s National Honor Society, student council and Johnston City chapter of the National FFA Organization. He was a member of Illinois State Sen. Dale Fowler’s Youth Advisory Council, Illinois Principal Association student recognition recipient, youth representative to the Nigerian Dairy Goat Association and youth ambassador to the American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association. He is a double major in animal science with a concentration in production, and a second major in agribusiness economics.
Kankakee
Ava Haase is the daughter of Cassie Haase and Mark Haase. A May 2021 graduate of Herscher High School, Haase was a National Honor Society member and was on the high honor roll throughout high school. She also attended Kankakee Community College. Haase received numerous scholarships and was active in numerous extracurricular activities, including being a two-sport varsity athlete in volleyball and softball. She was also involved in the student council as a peer tutor, the Spanish Club and the school’s publications team for the school’s newspaper, yearbook and television. She also volunteered for numerous school and community events. Haase is majoring in nursing with a minor in health care management.
Marion
Dyson Roye is the son of Amanda and Lance Roye. A May 2021 graduate of Marion High School, Roye was on the school’s high honor roll throughout high school and was an all-state selection in pole vault, finishing third in the 2021 Illinois High School Association Class 2A track and field championships. He was a member of the National Art Honors Society, the high school’s student council and played soccer and football. He is majoring in mechanical engineering.
McLeansboro
Leslie Grubb is the daughter of Erika Grubb and Brad Grubb. An Illinois State Scholar, the May 2021 graduate was Hamilton County Senior High School valedictorian and received a President’s Education Award and Illinois Principals Association Award. Grubb was class treasurer, president of the school’s Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, Beta Club, pep club and the school’s interact club. She was also involved with the science club, the Hamilton County chapter of the National FFA Organization and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was also two-year all-conference selection in softball and high school female athlete of the year. Grubb also made the Rend Lake College President’s List in fall 2020. She is majoring in civil engineering.
Mulkeytown
Stefanie Doty is a May 2021 graduate of John A. Logan College. She earned a Presidential Citation Award, Excellence in Humanities Award and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is majoring in philosophy with a concentration in pre-law.
Mulkeytown
Ember Milby is the daughter of Mark Milby of Mulkeytown. She graduated from Rend Lake College in May and also graduated from Benton Consolidated High School. She is majoring in elementary education.
Normal
Elijah Bush is the son of Alene Lillico-Bush and Erik Bush. He is a May 2021 graduate of Normal Community West High School. He earned the high school’s academic achievement award and was chosen outstanding soloist and outstanding senior musician. He participated in varsity cross-country, track and field, state swimming and diving and was a Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete selection. Bush also received a Country Financial Illinois High School Athletic Association Scholastic Achievement Award and State Farm Enterprise Technology STEM High School Mentorship Award. Bush was also involved with the school’s archive club, jazz orchestra and freshman mentorship program. He is majoring in computer science.
Olney
Chelsea Ochs is the daughter of Pam and Kevin Ochs. She is a May 2021 graduate of Wabash Valley College where she was on the college’s chancellor list and member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She participates in Collegiate FFA, was a national semifinalist in the FFA Parliamentary Procedure career development competition and an Illinois FFA State Equine Science placement winner. She received a Richland County 4-H master showman and herdsmanship award and is involved with the American Ranch Horse Association Youth Committee. Among her numerous memberships, Ochs is a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau, Collegiate FFA and the SIU Carbondale equestrian team. At Richland County High School, Ochs was an Illinois State Scholar and on the high honor roll. She is majoring in agribusiness economics.
Oswego
Santiago Torres is the son of Carmen and Walter Torres. A May 2021 graduate of Oswego High School, Torres participated in the Tri-M Musical Honors Society and the Pre-health Professions Association. He is a member of the Marching Salukis. Torres is majoring in physiology on the pre-med track, with a minor in chemistry.
Raleigh
Gracie Harrawood is the daughter of Rachelle Harrawood of Marion and Mike Harrawood of Raleigh. A May 2021 graduate of Eldorado High School, Harrawood was on the school’s high honor roll, 2021 class president and National Honor Society member. She participated in the Saline County CEO program in 2020-21, the beta club, and the Eldorado chapter of the National FFA Organization. She also earned scholarships from People’s National Bank and Legence Bank. She is majoring in art with a concentration in art education.
Sesser
Reid Basso is the son of Erin and Chip Basso. A May 2021 graduate of Rend Lake College, Basso, who graduated from Sesser-Valier 2019, earned one of the college’s presidential scholarships. He is majoring in history education.
Washington
Shelby Borlin is the daughter of Kerri and Scott Borlin. A May 2021 graduate of Washington Community High School, she is a National Honor Society member and was on the school’s Scholar Bowl team, Art Club, creative writing club, student council and her class’ executive board. Borlin earned numerous scholastic art awards and was on the tennis team all four years, including two as varsity captain. She also participated in mathletes. She is majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing.
Wilmette
Emma Ruemmler is the daughter of Sharon Hirsch of Madison, Wisconsin and Cliff Ruemmler of Wilmette. A May 2021 graduate of New Trier High School and Illinois State Scholar, Ruemmler was a member of the Latin Honors Society, Latin Club, science-fiction club and scholar bowl. She also worked on the stage crew and the high school’s identity project. She is majoring in history education.
ARKANSAS
Wooster
Katie Bowman is the daughter of Michelle and Greg Bowman. A May 2021 graduate of Conway Christian High School, Bowman was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the beta club and a 2020 Arkansas Girl’s State delegate. Bowman was involved with soccer, and the high school’s quiz bowl, thespian society and drama club. She is majoring in zoology.
INDIANA
Evansville
Sam Ottway is the son of Ashley and Richard Ottway. A May 2021 graduate of New Tech Institute and National Honor Society member, Ottway earned multiple Indiana High School Athletic Association and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference swimming awards. He finished in the top 10 in the Indiana Science Talent Search and was second in the Tri-State Regional Science Fair. An Eagle Scout, Ottway also received a U.S. Naval Science Award and Rising Star of Indiana Award. He is an SSI certified scuba diver, lifeguard and Evansville Aquatics swimmer. He is majoring in physiology on the pre-med track, with a minor in chemistry.
Indianapolis
Autumn Montague is the daughter of Bonnie and Mark Montague. A May 2021 graduate of North Central High School, she was a National Honor Society member, earned the school’s outstanding band student award and scored cum laude on a national Latin examination. She participated in Latin club, softball, the marching, pep and concert bands and theater stage crew. She is majoring in hospitality, tourism, and event management.
Muncie
Taegan Carpenter is the daughter of Andrea Wolfe and Yancey Carpenter, both of Muncie. A May 2021 graduate of Muncie Central High School, Carpenter was a National Honor Society member and a Presidential Scholarship nominee, while earning numerous Indiana State School Music Association gold and silver medals for instrumental solo and ensemble performances. She placed third in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. She was a three-year member of the varsity swim team and yearbook editor. She is majoring in anthropology with minors in Spanish and Chinese.
MISSOURI
Jackson
Eli Jones is the son of Shirlee Wilson and Fred Jones. He is a May 2021 graduate of Jackson High School where he was a president and founder of the high school’s chapter of the Science National Honor Society. He was a three-time finalist in the International Science and Engineering Fair and earned a $4,000 American Chemical Society “Best in Chemistry” Award there. He was also second overall in the 2021 Missouri Junior Academy of Sciences competition. He is majoring in chemistry.
St. Charles
Sarah Krieger is the daughter of Carey and Sean Krieger. She is a May 2021 graduate of Francis Howell High School where she was a National Honor Society member. She earned a student academic achievement award, participated marching band and earned a national school marching award and golden helmet award. She was also involved with the St. Peters Figure Skating Association. She is majoring in zoology with a concentration in animal biology, with a minor in environmental studies.
TEXAS
El Paso
Gianna Maier is the daughter of Isela and Roger Maier. A June 2021 graduate of Silva Health Magnet High School, she was a three-year National Honor Society member. She participated in girls basketball and track and field and was on the high school’s dance and drill team. She was also part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth for Christ and Club 365, a volunteer club, throughout high school. She competed in Health Occupations Students of America throughout high school, finishing third both in individual and team state competitions. She is majoring in recreation with a concentration in outdoor leadership and management.