Scholarship Reception

School of Labor and
Employment Relations
Scholarship Reception
September 9, 2016


R. Wayne Anderson Family Fellowship
LER Alumnus R. Wayne Anderson and his wife, Dottie, established the first
alumni-endowed fellowship at LER to honor the entire family’s commitment
to education. The fellowship was created to enable industrious, promising
and appreciative students to achieve their educational and professional
goals. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, scholastic
ability, and evidence that they worked throughout their undergraduate years.
Wayne Anderson served as the senior vice president of HR for Amoco
Corporation.


R. Wayne Anderson Family
Fellow
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Amanda
Robertson
Lansing, MI
Michigan State University
Psychology
May, 2016

HR Generalist Intern, Parker Hannifin Corporation
HR Development Program Intern, GE Appliances
Brody Neighborhood: Resident Assistant of the Year
Human Resource Association, Role: Internal VP
Residence Hall Government, Role: Co-Advisor

Without receiving this fellowship, I would have been unable to join
the LER family - a community in which I already feel so much a
part. I am extremely honored and grateful to have received this
award and so excited to begin my journey at LER.


John T. Delaney and Susan Schwochau
Family Scholarship Fund
Professor John T. Delany, MA 1980/PhD 1983, and Dr. Susan G.
Schwochau, MA 1984/PhD 1986, established a scholarship to
assist MHRIR and Ph.D. students that are non-Illinois residents.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a suitable
international or domestic applicant.
John currently serves as the Dean in Katz Graduate School of
Business at the University of Pittsburgh and Susan serves as
Special Counsel for Duane Morris, LLP.


J. Delaney/S. Schwochau
Scholar
• Forrising Consulting, Assistant Consultant
• Food Chain Worker Alliance, Independent
Contractor

• Completed undergraduate degree in just two and a
half years

Shijie Zhang
Fuzhou, China
University of California,
Los Angeles
Psychology
March 2014

I always found the interaction with different kinds of people so interesting,
and making the best of such interaction to benefit the organization or the
society is inspiring and challenging. Instead of creating value by myself, I
am more willing to see my effort to help a set of people and even an
organization to create value for the society. Human Resources opens this
door for me.


Loichle Family Foundation Fellowship in
honor of Professor Martin Wagner
LER alumnus Lee Loichle and his wife Jan chose to honor the
former director of LER, Professor Emeritus Martin Wagner, through
the Loichle Family Foundation Fellowship. Through this endowment
opportunity, Lee demonstrates his gratitude for the educational
experiences he had at the School, as well as aiding future students
in having similar success. Recipients are selected for outstanding
academic achievement and an expressed career interest in all
aspects of Human Resources, including labor relations.
Lee is retired from Ford Motor Company, where he had a 27-year
career in human resources.

Loichle Family Fellow/
LER Scholar
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Emilia
Knapczynski
Homer Glen, Illinois
North Central College,
Psychology and French
June 2016

Treasurer of Psi Chi Honors Society
Presidential Scholarship Recipient at North Central College
Statistical Consultant, Phonak
Research Assistant and Co-Author for "Justice Stories"
Project Examining Perceptions of Organizational Justice

I chose the MHRIR program at University of Illinois not only because of
its superb reputation, but more importantly because of the extremely
welcoming and supportive environment that I experienced during my
visits with faculty and discussions with current students. I want to make a
positive difference in the management of organizations through helping
employees achieve their potential, and I know that the MHRIR program
will prepare me to do so.

May Family Fellowship
LER alumnus Alan May and his wife Hope established this student
fellowship to encourage study in the area of international human
resources. The fellowship will be awarded annually to a suitable
international applicant, or a domestic applicant with a demonstrated
interest in international human resources. Preference is given to
students with strong linguistic skills and academic or professional
experience in a foreign country.
Alan is the past president of the Alumni Board, an ILIR Distinguished
Alumni Award Recipient, and the Executive Vice President of Human
Resources for Hewlett Packard


May Family Fellow
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Kai Shen
Bengbu, China
Jinan University
Human Resource
Management
June 2016

Government Scholarship, Exchange program to Toulouse Business
School in France
National Merit Scholarship; Excellent Student Scholarship, Four times

HR Intern in Ernst & Young, ICBC, PICC, Howard Johnson, etc
Awarded Best Intern of the Year, Lingnan CPA Co., Ltd.

Thanks to the May Family Fellowship. While receiving it is a great honor, it
also gives me the material guarantee for studying and living, reduces the
pressure on me and my parents, and thus motivates me to concentrate
more on academic performance and achieving my dream. Through hard
work and unremitting endeavor, I really hope one day, maybe many years
later, I can become an outstanding alumnus just like Mr. May, who is an
excellent and experienced leader in the HR sector, who is so willing to help,
and who is able to influence people and the world of business.


May Family Fellow
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Yingfa Tang
Yangzhou, China
Shanghai University
Economics
2013

Bank Clerk and Electronic Device Administrator, Tangcheng Branch, Bank of
Jiangsu
Advanced Individual of the Year, Bank of Jiangsu

Service Star of the Year, Bank of Jiangsu
HR Field Intern, Yangzhou Sanxing Elevator Co. Ltd
Director of Community Liaison Department, Shanghai University
Top Grade Scholarship, Shanghai University

I will forever be grateful to the May Family and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
for offering me this chance. I also hope that, after graduation, I will become an HR
specialist who can help an organization make best use of its human resources, and
contribute to the worldwide fame of the UIUC alumni.


William and Donna McPherson
Fellowship
The William and Donna McPherson Fellowship was established by
Donna McPherson to help LER students who are pursuing studies
in labor and industrial relations. This award honors the late
Professor William McPherson’s love of teaching and his
distinguished service to the field. Professor McPherson was the
first academic faculty member hired for LER in 1946.


McPherson Family Fellow
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Adriel Martinez
Miami, FL

Washington University,
St. Louis
International Area Studies
2011

PepsiCo HR generalist intern
IBC Consultant, international project
Kids-n-Notes consultant and translator
MBA Merit Scholarship 2015-2016
Edwards Family Scholarship Recipient for outstanding students in
the liberal arts 2012-2015

After talking to LER staff over email and in person, I was convinced that
the field of Human Resources was one that allowed individuals with
interests in business and backgrounds in liberal arts to combine their
abilities in a meaningful way. I am especially grateful to William and Donna
McPherson for giving me the opportunity to pursue this career.


August E. Burnier Scholarships
in LER
Dr. DeLysa Burnier, a professor of political science at Ohio University,
established the August E. Burnier Scholarships in LER to provide
scholarships for students enrolling in courses through the Labor
Education or the Master of Human Resources Industrial Relations
programs at the School of Labor and Employment. The award honors
her grandfather, “Augie”, the retired secretary-treasurer of the
Teamster Local #754, the Dairy Employees Union in Chicago, Illinois.
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August E. Burnier Scholar
• Eight years of dedicated public service with non-profits in Illinois and California
• Student Advisor and Event Planner with Christians on Campus at UIUC since 2014
• Grading Assistant with the Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations
since 2009
• Intern Manager with Fullerton Christian Students in 2013

Stephen Moll
Schaumburg, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign

Urban and Regional
Planning
May 2008

Dr. Burnier’s generosity in giving me this award is deeply touching. It is
a testament to the heart that she has for other professionals and to the
excellent alumni that LER produces.


LER Scholar
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Liberty in North Korea (Tour Relations Intern)
UIUC Housing Service Desk Representative
Network Analysis Research Assistant 

I feel very privileged to receive the LER scholarship and have the opportunity to continue my education here
at the University of Illinois. I draw inspiration daily from my parents who raised me to work hard and have a
mind set to improve everyday. I plan on using this inspiration to impact the world of HR with my interest in
data and workforce analytics. 

Benjamin Park
Arlington Heights, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Communication
May 2016


LER Scholar
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Jasmine Colon
Chicago, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Communication, Political Science
May 2016

Illinois Promise Scholar  
Coca Cola Scholar 
Supervisor at Victoria's Secret

Treasurer of the Humanitarian Association for the Displaced

Upon completing my graduate coursework in industrial and labor
relations, I intend to cultivate a workplace where diversity is
promoted. More specifically, I would like to advocate for and create
programs that work to promote the inclusion and cultivation of
minority women as emerging leaders in organizations.


BP Scholar
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Lindsey Buckmore
Centralia, IL
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign
Psychology
May 2016

Illinois Student Admissions Representative (ISTAR)
Camp Counselor at Camp Carew
Sigma Kappa, Roles included Standards Council Representative
and Assistant to Vice President of Scholarship
Mortar Board, Role: Director of Communications
Psi Chi, Role: Professional Greek Council Representative

I have a strong passion for diversity and care about everyone. Human

Resources allows me to fix issues in the workplace regarding the
inclusion and diversity of the place as well as solve issues individuals may
have. All in all, human resources gives me the chance to follow my
passion.


BP Scholar
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Kaitlin Ramsey
Carol Stream, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Psychology
May 2016

4 years of professional internship experience (2 years at
Allstate, 2 years at a consulting firm)
Graduated with Cum Laude Latin Honors (3.84 GPA)
Vice President of Recruitment; Student Society for Human
Resources Management
Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars

One reason I joined the field of HR is the variety of work. Each day is
different than the next, which excites me. One hour I may be working on
Talent Management yet the next hour I may be working with
Compensation. The diversity of the work as well as the people you

collaborate with to achieve a common vision burns a passion within me. I
look forward to new challenges and learning opportunities each and every
day. 


BP Scholar
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Mary Kate
Bryant
Batavia, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Psychology, Spanish
December 2015

Human Resource intern at IFS North American
Human Resource intern at Elgin Mental Health Center
Research Assistant for the Psychology Department at UIUC
Co Vice President of Programs; Student Society for Human
Resources Management

When applying to graduate school, I was hopeful to find a college that
would provide me with an excellent education and open many doors for
career development. At LER, the outstanding professors and faculty,
along with the student organization I am apart of has exceeded any
expectations I had for an education and opportunities. I could not be any

happier with the graduate program I chose.


McKesson Scholar
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Agnes Strojewska
Elk Grove Village, IL
Illinois State University,
Master of Science in
Psychology, 2016
May 2016

Institute for Human Resources Intern
ISU Psychological Services Center Supervisor
UIUC Cognition and Brain Lab Research Technician
Graduate Student Representative to ISU Program Board
President of HEALTH Registered Student Organization at UIUC
Magna Cum Laude Graduate
UIUC Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award

I chose LER because I want to be a leader in my industry; I’ve never settled for
anything less than exceptional performance from myself, and I know that at LER I
can count on my peers to hold themselves to equally high standards. The greatest

development opportunities happen when you work and learn in a diverse community
of bright, motivated colleagues.


Boeing Scholar
• Graduate Assistant in Student Development through UIUC's Campus
Recreation
• Manager of UIUC's Cognitive Development Lab
• Phi Eta Sigma Social Committee Member

• James Scholar

Heidi Olson
Monticello, IL 
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Psychology
May 2013
                    

I am incredibly thankful for the recognition of my hard work and inspired
by the financial support, time and energy that Boeing, LER, and my
personal and professional networks have invested in me and my career.
I am eager to see what challenges and opportunities a career in Human
Resources provides me and am proud and excited to be a part of such a
diverse and uplifting network as the one found at LER.


Eaton Scholar
• Board Member- Illini Thakaat

• Office Intern- AMES Engineering Inc.
• Emergency Room Volunteer-Good Samaritan
Hospital 

Hamza Ahsan
Naperville, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Psychology
May 2016

My parents are actually a huge inspiration for me in always being the best I can be.
They came to this country from Pakistan and started working low-paying jobs in
order to support their family and pay for their graduate schools. Always putting
100% effort into everything I do is important because I know the struggles that my
parents went through in order for them to get to their current positions today. I
couldn't have asked for better role models and inspiration than the people who
raised me and have given me everything in life. Now it is my time to do my best and
make them proud.


Eaton Scholar
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Kyra Shiro
Orangeville, IL
University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign
Psychology
December 2014

HR Business Partner Intern at The Boeing Company
Admissions Counselor at University of Illinois Office of
Undergraduate Admissions
HR Intern at University of Illinois Campus Visits
Study abroad participant near Xian, China

A career in HR has been my goal since high school. Every step I've taken academically and
professionally has been purposefully aligned with this pursuit. With each step, I've been more and
more affirmed in my goal and knowing that this is the right fit for me. The most clearly specified
goal I've had was to join LER. My uncle was a student in this program so I've known about the
program for some time and have seen the professional development and success it brought him.
To be admitted into LER was special to me in itself, but to receive the Eaton Corporation
scholarship encouraged me further in following the path to becoming an HR professional. It also
drives me to fulfill the potential that others see in me.


Emerson Scholar
• Social Director in The Association of Creative Writers
• Student Mentor, Collins Hall Dormitory
• Researcher in a Participatory Action Research Project to
Prevent Dating Violence
• Recipient of William Utter and Redhawk Excellence
scholarships in undergraduate studies

Caitlyn Aldrich
Defiance, Ohio

Miami University
Psychology/ Media & Culture
May 2016

The LER program at the University of Illinois provides so many opportunities and chances
for students to advance their abilities, meet new people, and obtain the resources to
succeed in HR Management. With the help of the people in the LER program, including
staff, faculty, and students, and this scholarship, I believe I will have the chance to pave
my own path to success. 


ExxonMobil Scholar
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Max Colon
Mt. Prospect, IL
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Psychology, Spanish
May 2016

Director & Chairman of the Board, Illini Fighting Hunger
Resident Advisor, University Housing at the University of Illinois
Campus Intern, Community Blood Services of Illinois

James Scholar, Lincoln Scholar, and Chancellor's Scholar Graduate
Volunteer and Member of the Board, Wesley Evening Food Pantry
Member, Senior 100 Honorary
2016 Homecoming Court

While the challenges we face today at a global scale are cause for great concern, my Illinois
Experience has shown me time and again how working together and communicating openly
can lead to great solutions. It is with great anticipation and excitement that I look forward to my
future in the MHRIR program and all of the incredible experiences I will have along the way.