Kanika Palecanda Madalynn Boyd awarded Elkin-Larkin Award

 

MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University sophomore Kanika Palecanda, of Laramie, WY, and sophomore Madalynn Boyd, of Plymouth, IL, have been awarded this year's Elkin-Larkin Award, given to outstanding students in the University Advising program.

Palecanda and Boyd were chosen for the awards based on their outstanding academic background and their University involvement. They were each awarded $250 for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters and their names will be added to a permanent plaque in the First Year Advising Center.

The award is given in honor of the late Robert Elkin and the late Jeanne Larkin, both former UAASC advisors. The UAASC program allows students who enter the University without a major to explore different fields of study prior to declaring a major.

Academic advisors work closely with students, helping them identify their interests, values and abilities. Typically, 20-30 percent of all freshmen enter Western through the University Advising program. Students may remain in the program until they have completed 45 semester hours, halfway through their sophomore year, when they must declare a major.