Purdue features five students who are driven to lead
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The beginning of the academic year means thousands of Purdue students will be attending callouts and joining organizations to enhance their leadership skills, so the university is recognizing five students who stand out as examples of young leaders.
Purdue Marketing and Media has created a website, which includes photos and biographical information about the students. The webpage can be accessed at http://www.purdue.edu/fivestudents/index.html
The featured students are:
* Eydee Colome, who was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Chicago, and is a senior studying law and society. When Colome had a difficult time adjusting to college life, she followed her adviser's advice and got involved. What began as a way to feel comfortable in her new home soon became an opportunity to realize her leadership potential. Today, she is president of the student organization DRIVEN (Diversity Retention Initiatives though Volunteering, Education and Networking) in the College of Liberal Arts and also serves as a dean's ambassador.
* Ben Crockett, from Rock Creek, Idaho, is a second-year student in the master of business administration program. Crockett's graduate school peers encouraged him to run for president of the Krannert Graduate Student Association (KGSA) during his first year. As part of his presidency, he helped launch Krannert's first global exchange for international MBA students in Seattle.
* Michael Massel, from Indianapolis, is a senior studying professional flight technology. A longtime Purdue fan, Massel chose Purdue on the reputation of its flight school and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp (NROTC) program. He serves as his company's chief petty officer in NROTC, serving as the liaison between the commanding officer and the 40 members of his company. This summer, Massel shadowed a naval officer on board a Brazilian ship as part of the Foreign Exchange Cruise program. Fluent in Spanish and learning Portuguese, Massel was the only American on board.
* Sung Jun Ma, from Seoul, South Korea, is a junior studying applied mathematics. While volunteering in Kenya to support HIV campaigns, he noticed HIV orphans hardly receive education. A faculty member helped him establish the International Public Health Initiative, which helps poor tribes in Africa with their medical and educational needs. He also helped launch, Violin Over Wabash, a student organization that teaches young Latino students to play the violin at no charge.
* Amber Courter, from Newburgh, Ind., is a senior studying animal science. She has been named the Outstanding Student in Animal Sciences for three years and is one of the department's student ambassadors. She often speaks with prospective and admitted students and is invited to speak at freshman orientation for students majoring in animal science. At the university level, she's been a team leader for Boiler Gold Rush the past two years.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Michael Massel, mmassel@purdue.edu
Amber Courter, acourter@purdue.edu
Sung Jun Ma, ma0@purdue.edu
Benjamin Crockett, bcrocke@purdue.edu
