2025 Scovill Award Winners

Lauren Auton

Lauren Auton

Major(s): Elementary Education with a Special Education Concentration
Year: Senior

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Being repeatedly named to Deans and High Dean’s List with a GPA of 3.95
  • Selected by faculty to present my research on Critical Race Theory at the Celebrations of Scholarship
  • Selected by faculty as one of four student panelists for the Tomorrow's Teachers Conference
  • Representing Millikin University at the International Leadership Conference for Tri Delta in Dallas, Texas
  • Selected by peers as the Membership Experience Coordinator on the Leadership team at Tri Delta

 

max cline

Max Cline

Major(s): BA Theatre & Performance Studies
Year: Sophomore

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Serving as an Long-Vanderburg Scholars Program Mentor
  • Introduced Sensory Friendly Performances to campus through my position as the IDEAS Coordinator for Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
  • Performing in Clybourne Park
  • Performing with the companies of the Shakespeare Corrected productions of The Tempest & Twelfth Night
  • Serving as the president of Un Bit Butter

 

emily edwards

Emily Edwards

Major(s): Biology Pre-Professional Studies
Year: Junior (3rd year)

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Becoming an advocate for students with chronic illness and other disabilities.
  • My tadpole research allowed me to explore my future medical specialty and will give me the opportunity to present at multiple research conferences.
  • My gene editing research project allowed me to begin engaging with controversial issues of my discipline and confirmed my interest in medicine.
  • The Workplace Violence Study I was able to conduct in the hospital where I work allowed me to engage with an important issue in my future career.
  • Inspiring the next generation of female scientists through my work with Chem Girls.

 

kyler marie griggs

Kyler Marie Griggs

Major(s): English, Creative Writing with a Philosophy Pre-Law Minor
Year: Junior

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Being appointed as the Student Trustee,
  • Serving as the Student Representative on the Presidential Search Committee and giving input in the selection process
  • Achieving High Dean's List and maintaining a 3.933 GPA
  • Serving on Council of Student Advisors and Chairing the Dining Services Committee
  • Giving a speech during the Welcome Convocation prior to the start of the Fall 2024 semester.

 

jallah kollie jr

Jallah Kollie Jr

Major(s): Computer Science, Minor in Mathematics
Year: Third year

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • High Deans List scholar
  • Member of Pi Mu Epsilon (at the time of award)
  • Vice President of Intervarsity
  • EDGE and ACI Mentor
  • Mathematics Tutor

 

audrey soetermans

Audrey Soetermans

Major(s): Commercial Music
Year: Junior

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Being selected to work at the Welcome to 1979 Recording Summit in Nashville, TN.
  • Being president of the Millikin Music Business Club and receiving two Big Blue Student Leadership and Service Awards for it.
  • Being a James Millikin Honors Scholar, receiving Dean’s List honors every semester, and being a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
  • Getting to tour France and Belgium with the Millikin University Choir and being a soloist in One Voice.
  • Serving as the VP Membership and Fraternity Education Chair of the International Music Fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota as well as being the Millitrax Studio Secretary.

 

oakley tate

Oakley Tate

Major(s): Finance and Accounting
Year: Junior

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • James Millikin Honors Scholar with consistent recognition on Dean’s List and High Dean’s List
  • Member of Millikin University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Accounting Representative of the Tabor Business Club, and Blood Donor Recruitment Volunteer for the American Red Cross club
  • Senior Consultant and Accounting Team Lead for Millikin University Performance Consulting (MUPC)
  • Captain of Millikin University’s Game Day and Competitive Cheer Squad, Thrower for the University’s Track and Field team
  • Two-time Scovill Prize Nominee

 

colby wygal

Colby Wygal

Major(s): Arts Technology: Audio Engineering, Digital Media
Year: Junior

Top 5 achievements at Millikin

  • Winning multiple ADDY awards for photography, illustration, and sound design
  • Writing, recording, and publishing a 56-minute solo album
  • Serving as DEI Coordinator for Alpha Chi Omega
  • Composing an original percussion octet for the Millikin University Percussion Ensemble
  • Winning "Best in Show" at the 2024 Images in Motion Film Festival