Honors Convocation 2025
On Thursday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m., the Wheaton College community gathered in Cole Memorial Chapel for the 2025 Honors Convocation. President Michaele Whelan, Provost Jonathan Millen, and Darnell Parker, Vice President of Student Affairs, hosted this annual celebration recognizing academic excellence and intellectual achievement.
Nancy Kendrick, Professor of Philosophy, delivered the keynote address, “Don’t Believe Everything You Think,” offering thoughtful insights and inspiration to students, faculty, staff, and guests.
During the ceremony, departmental and college awards were presented to students who demonstrated outstanding scholarship and a strong commitment to academic life at Wheaton. Jema Espinosa, Chair of the Class of 2025, presented the Faculty Appreciation Award to Dana Polanichka, Professor of History. Provost Millen also announced the recipients of this year’s endowed honorary professorships:
The A. Howard Meneely Professorship: Delvyn Case, Professor of Music
Henrietta Jennings Faculty Professorship for Outstanding Teaching: James Byrne, Senior Professor of the Practice of English
The Robert C. & Mary P. Brown ’43 Professorship in Urban Planning and Environment: Jessie Knowlton, Associate Professor of Biology
William and Elsie Prentice Professorship: Aubrey Westfall, Professor of Political Science
William Isaac Cole Professorship in Sociology and Anthropology: Katherine Mason, Associate Professor of Sociology/Women and Gender Studies
You may view the names of the students honored for outstanding achievements in 2025 in the event program.
2025 Honors Convocation Program (pdf)
For more information, please contact the Office of the Provost at [email protected].