Riker Fesperman of LaSalle has received the 2024 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award for his outstanding scholarship and service to the campus and community. This prestigious recognition, named after philanthropist F.W. Matthiessen, is awarded by Illinois Valley Community College for exceptional civic and academic contributions. Fesperman has notably volunteered with local initiatives and excelled in leadership roles at the college.
“Selecting a winner from some of the best of the best is extremely difficult,” said College President Dr. Tracy Morris in presenting the award. “Our winner this year has excelled academically and has been involved in a number of leadership roles on campus and in the community.”
Fesperman received several nominations from faculty. Instructor Dawn Chambers commended him for “consistently going above and beyond expectations in his volunteer efforts … he approaches each task with sincerity and a genuine desire to make a positive impact” and creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
Instructor Shannon Slaight applauded Fesperman’s endeavors as helping “create and promote a better place in the Illinois Valley,” and cited Fesperman’s assistance in and promotion of multicultural events on campus.
Instructor Jason Beyer called Fesperman “a moving force” who recruited rotating faculty sponsors to sustain a struggling campus student organization, planned and carried out Student Government Association fund-raising and promotion efforts, and spearheaded a drive to preserve student bake sales, a time-honored student fundraiser.
Matthiessen winners are: Cynthia Liebhart, 1978; Michelle Mueller, 1979; Sheila Lyons, 1980; Mary Jo Menendez, 1982; Paulette Nesbitt, 1987; Donna Joerger, 1988; Melissa Leone, 1992; Joseph Ablett, 1993; Cathy Thorsen, 1995; Scott Forrest, 1995; Nancy Kochis, 1997; Beth Whittington, 1999; Elizabeth Zelenski, 2000; Kristin Abrahams, 2004; Megan Guilfoyle, 2007; Michelle Franklin, 2008; Cassie Fuller, 2009; Tyler Swanlund, 2010; Caitlin Rinker, 2011; Kristopher Sienza, 2011; Jackie Heim, 2012; Ashley Williams, 2015; Matthew Phillips, 2016; Trevor Finnan, 2017; Martha Hoffman, 2018; Lillian Rodrigues, 2019; Devanshi Patel, 2020; Grace McCormick, 2021; and Hope Beelman, 2022.