Barry McNamara  |   Published April 24, 2019

Four Students Earn Top Honors

Keeley Brinkmeier and John Hintz named seniors of the year; Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez and Troy Hippen named freshmen of the year.
Alpha Xi Delta
  • Three of the students of the year. From left: Troy Hippen, Keeley Brinkmeier and John Hintz.

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Four students received top awards at Monmouth College’s 2019 honors convocation, held April 16 in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.

Senior and Freshman Man of the Year honors were awarded by the Monmouth chapter of Blue Key Honor Society, a national organization recognizing upperclassmen for outstanding character and ability and for distinction in service, leadership and scholarship.

John Hintz of South Pekin, Ill., was named Senior Man of the Year. A business administration major with a minor in economics, Hintz is a member of Blue Key and an honorary member of Alpha Xi Delta women’s fraternity. A four-year member of the Fighting Scots track and field team, Hintz earned All-American honors this spring in the weight throw.

Troy Hippen of Monmouth was named Freshman Man of the Year. A member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Hippen also works the College’s Admission Office.

Senior and Freshman Woman of the Year honors were awarded by the Tau Pi chapter of Mortar Board, a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for scholarship, leadership, service and scholarship.

Named Senior Woman of the Year was Keeley Brinkmeier of Mount Carroll, Ill. An educational studies major, Brinkmeier has taken on a number of leadership roles at Monmouth, including vice president of both the Blue Key and the Illinois Education Association local chapters, and executive roles within her women’s fraternity, Kappa Kappa Gamma. The Dean’s List student is also a member of the Order of Omega, the Greek life honor society, and Kappa Delta Pi, the educational honors society. Brinkmeier has also volunteered for numerous organizations, including Rainbow Riders, Jamieson Community Center, the Warren County Public Library and Monmouth-Roseville District No. 238. Three years ago, she received the College’s Freshman Woman of the Year honor.

Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez of Denver was named Freshman Woman of the Year. A double major in communication studies and political science, she is a three-sport athlete, competing for the Fighting Scots in soccer, cross country, and track and field.

Alpha Xi Delta

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