sealPurdue News
____

April 15, 2002

Purdue seniors earn leadership awards

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Ten Purdue University students received Charles O. McGaughey (mick-GOY) Leadership Awards today (Friday, 4/12) during the annual University Honors Convocation.

Each student earned an unrestricted cash award of $2,735, along with a crystal paperweight.

McGaughey, a 1939 Purdue graduate from Indianapolis, established the award to honor undergraduates who show leadership abilities and an appreciation of basic American values through service to the community and the university. The first awards were presented in 1991. McGaughey, who co-founded the Indiana-based MCL Cafeteria chain, died in 1992.

Recipients must have completed at least two years of study at Purdue while maintaining a B average and have an appreciation for the values of liberty, the democratic form of government and the importance of respect for others and the diversity of the United States.

The recipients include:

Jill E. Butler, who is a graduating senior majoring in health sciences with a premedical concentration. Butler, of Indianapolis, was the 2001 Purdue Homecoming queen and served as president of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Cassie Jo Duncan, who is a graduating senior in industrial engineering. Duncan, of Dayton, Ohio, has been vice president of administration for Mortar Board National Honor Society and a vice president of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She also served on the mentoring leadership team for Women in Engineering.

Sarah E. Endress, who is a graduating senior in industrial management. Endress, of Evansville, Ind., has served as president of Management Ambassadors and as external affairs director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also was a tour guide for Purdue's Visitor Information Center.

• Lori L. Kohlhagen, who is a graduating senior in agricultural education. Kohlhagen, of Rensselaer, Ind., has been a vice president of the Agricultural Council and is headed for Disney World to be a plant science intern in the greenhouses at Epcot Center.

• Grant R. Lohse, an eighth semester mechanical engineering major, who will graduate next December. Lohse, of Carmel, Ind., has served as president and vice president of Interfraternity Council and is co-chair for Purdue's 2002 United Way campaign.

• Cari L. Mast , who is a graduating senior in management. Mast, of Kokomo, Ind., is the president of Mortar Board and the past vice president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She also volunteered at Lafayette Urban Ministries and Habitat for Humanity.

• Jonathan J. Melquist , who is a graduating senior in biochemistry. Melquist, of Osage, Minn., will attend medical school in the fall. He has served as president of the Purdue Science Student Council, Science Forum and the badminton club.

• Matthew C. Newton, who is a graduating senior in computer engineering. Newton, of Vernon Hills, Ill., has served as vice president of the student body, president of Student Senate, vice president of Interfraternity Council and chairman of the Campus Safety Task Force.

Jason M. Singer, who is pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree. Singer, of New Palestine, Ind., has served as president and vice president of Golden Key Honor Society and is a member of four Purdue bands, including the All-American Marching Band and the women's basketball pep band.

• Elizabeth A. Wodicka, who is a graduating senior in economics. Wodicka, of Greenwood, Ind., has been president of the School of Management Employers Forum and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She also served as a member of the Old Masters Central Committee.

Writers: Jim Vruggink, (765) 494-2086, jvruggink@purdue.edu; Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


* To the Purdue News and Photos Page