Student Activities and Organizations awards presented
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The annual Student Activities and Organizations awards were given out on April 21 in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. More than 100 nominations were received for awards that are presented to outstanding students, student organizations and organization advisers.
The Emerging Leader Award is given to students who have demonstrated knowledge of, and interest in, campus activities and organizations. The award recipients are expected to display enthusiasm, motivation, communication and organizational skills. This year's recipients were Alli Harris, Heidi Melton, Derek Price, Alec Green, Ronit Patnaik, Davone Williamson, Rafid Mustafa, Mary Fernando, Matthew Gray, Tim Machin, Parth Shah, David Chase Ritter, Connor Burnett, Jacob Ford, Ashley Potts, Daniel Silver, Kathleen Mahoney, Paige Widener, Persephone Kriner-Sotos, Joe Carabetta, Claudia Aguilar and Jonathan Pfluger.
The Outstanding Adviser of the Year is awarded to the student organization adviser who serves as a role model to students and has a strong belief in the organization that they represent. This adviser shows a willingness to commit sufficient time to the organization and promotes students' personal growth by involving them in the organization's decision-making process. This year's recipient, Debbie Anderson, was honored at a Thursday (April 28) luncheon along with other student organization advisers. Other advisers nominated for the award were Stacey Dunderman, Mark Diekman, Kirk Arndt, John Pomery, Renee Roames, Kate Mane, Brandi Farrer, Beth Holloway, Jon C. Teaford and Susan Huffman.
The Linda Hurd Ewing Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to a student who best exemplifies the characteristics and qualities of scholarship, leadership, integrity and the ability to communicate to all ages. This year's recipients were Lara Schlitter and Paul Branham..
The Class of 1937 endowed a scholarship to reward students who show leadership and leadership potential while at Purdue. The 2011 recipients were Keith Hansen ($4,000), Alec Green ($3,500), Paul Branham ($3,000), Nathan Murphy ($2,500), Natalie Chumakov ($2,500), Derek Stewart ($2,000), Amanda Skibowski ($2,000), Lauren Tomlinson ($1,500), Gina Smith ($1,500), Allison Salisbury ($1,500), Jennifer Coduto ($1,500), Chelsea Brinton ($1,500), Andrew Battiato ($1,500), Kaijah Blackwell ($1,000), Kathryn Thompson ($1,000), Alyce Yu ($1,000), Laura Donaldson ($1,000), Jacquelyn DeVries ($1,000), Kristine Lagree ($1,000), SungJun Ma ($1,000) and Emily Sirk ($1,000).
The Peggy Sullivan Achievement Award honors and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of Span Plan's third director. Peggy Sullivan provided 30 years of service to traditional and nontraditional students at Purdue from 1962 to 2002. Award recipients were Megan Barnes, Wesley Homoya and Daye Phillippo.
The Office of the Dean of Students Nontraditional Student Scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time, beginning or continuing adult nontraditional students who have a cumulative grade index of 2.0 or above, clear academic and career goals, and evidence of good character and persistence. The 2011 recipients were Megan Barnes, Vijitha V. Obeyesekera and Daye Phillippo.
The Charles O. McGaughey Leadership Awards were established by McGaughey, a 1939 Purdue graduate, to honor undergraduate students who show leadership abilities and appreciation for basic American values. Each recipient will receive a $3,375 scholarship. The 2011 recipients were David Andrews, Keith Hansen and Jamie Steiner.
The Co-Sponsorship of the Year Award is presented to the organizations that have provided the most outstanding co-sponsorship program or program series for the betterment of the campus, students and Purdue. This award is presented to organizations that understand the importance of collaboration and display vision and understanding of campus needs. Five events were nominated for this award, and the Society of Women Engineers and Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists came away the winners for their collaboration on the high school Rube Goldberg competition.
The Outstanding Program Award is presented to the student organization that has implemented the most outstanding campus program during the academic year. With more than 850 student organizations, there are many exemplary programs throughout the year. Two programs, organized by The Halberdier Club and Forensic Club and Native American Student Association, were honored from among 13 nominees.
The Community Engagement & Involvement Award is presented to the student organization that provided outstanding service to other people or a place. The event can be a large, one-time activity or a series of smaller projects that meet community needs. This year's recipient was Hilltop Council.
The Boilermaker Pride Award, presented this year to the Women's Volleyball Club, honors a student organization for outstanding participation in a tournament competition. Award recipients must display outstanding sportsmanship, compete against a Big Ten opponent and have active participation by all members in most competitions.
The Excellence Award is a "lifetime achievement award" for student organizations that demonstrate outstanding continuous programs, leadership and service. This year's recipient was the Purdue Chinese Student & Scholar Association. The group has worked to organize cultural events, offer service to the local and Purdue communities, and develop its members. Founded in 1991 as a nonpolitical and nonprofit organization, the group represents more than 2,200 students, faculty, staff and community members.
Nominations for all of these awards are taken throughout the course of the year and are reviewed by a committee of students and faculty. Award winners receive plaques for their organization and have their organization names inscribed on perpetual plaques on campus.
Contacts: Elizabeth Canela, graduate administrative professional, 765-494-1231, ecanela@purdue.edu
Martia Brawner, assistant dean of students, 765-494-1232, mbrawner@purdue.edu