Millikin students take top awards at Regional Singing Competition

by Dane Lisser

Millikin University vocal performance and musical theatre students took top awards at the 2018 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Central Region Competition held Oct. 27–28 in Edwardsville, Ill.

Millikin competed against schools from across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, and made quite the splash by winning seven awards in terms of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as two honorable mentions and another four students finishing as semifinalists.

“What’s great about this competition is that the students who did well and received top prizes are eligible to go to nationals and compete against the top…

Millikin graduate opens French patisserie and café in northern Chicago

by Dane Lisser

It’s been a decade in the making, but Benjamin Levy’s vision for opening his own French patisserie and café in the northern suburbs of Chicago has come to life.

Called “That Little French Guy,”(link is external) Levy’s café is located in Highland Park. It offers an authentic taste of France with every product entirely hand-crafted and most pastries made with fresh French ingredients.

Growing up in Paris, Levy knew he was destined to become a pastry chef after spending much time baking and cooking with his grandmothers. …

by Dane Lisser

When it comes to job creation, small businesses play a huge role. On Dec. 13, issues of USA Today included an insert that offered business owners solutions to overcoming possible challenges, drive growth, and to create a competitive advantage for their company and employees.

Among the editorial contributors for the insert was Julie Shields, director of Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, who offered her expertise on the topic of why “Small Businesses Must Utilize Online Tools to Stay Relevant.”(link is external)

Shields broke her article down to three key points to address the topic: Business solutions, utilizing…

by Dane Lisser

Millikin University Instructor of Nursing John Blakeman has been named a 2019 Nurse Educator Fellow by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for his commitment to quality and innovative teaching in the field of nursing. Blakeman is one of 19 distinguished educators selected from a group of 34 nominees from across Illinois. Blakeman received a Fellowship award of $10,000.

Blakeman is a registered professional nurse, practicing in Illinois. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Millikin in May 2013, graduating summa cum laude, and later earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Millikin…

by Dane Lisser

Millikin University will present its 60th annual Vespers concert on Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Performances will be held at Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin University’s campus.

For more than 50 years Vespers, which means “evening prayer,” has signaled the beginning of the holiday season with a sumptuous evening of carols, choirs and candlelight. More than 300 musicians join together for this joyous musical feast presented annually on Millikin’s campus.

Songs from past centuries combine with familiar carols and arrangements to create an evening of seasonal warmth for…

Future teacher honored for academic success and contributions in the community

by Dane Lisser

Millikin University senior Luke Azzarelli, of Kankakee, Ill., was recognized as Millikin’s recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ Student Laureate Award(link is external) for 2018. Azzarelli was honored during the Lincoln Academy of Illinois’ 44th Annual Student Laureate Convocation on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.

Each fall, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. …

Millikin University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting degree program has once again been named among the Top 25 BFA acting/performance programs in the country for 2018–2019 according to a recent survey published by the online theatre news and review blog OnStage.

Published on Aug. 27, the survey ranks Millikin University as one of the best institutions in the country to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. Millikin University was ranked №11.

“This accolade again demonstrates that the excellence of the School of Theatre and Dance is well-known, far and wide, and that the education and training…

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Millikin University as a leading institution in higher learning in its 2019 “Best Colleges” guidebook released on Sept. 10. Millikin is ranked №9(link is external) in the “Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest” category, moving up two spots from last year. U.S. News also ranked Millikin among the “Best Value Schools”(link is external) in the Midwest at №33.

The Regional College category, which Millikin is included in, is comprised of 322 schools that are divided and ranked in four geographical groups: North, South, Midwest and West.

Millikin has participated in U.S. News &…