Student Leadership Awards

Kasi Jones was the Director of Orientation Programs at Purdue University from 2008 to 2018. Coordinating the direction of all orientation programs, STAR, Virtual STAR, Boiler Gold Rush, and Boiler Gold Rush International, Kasi is estimated to have had direct influence on welcoming over 50,000 Boilermakers to Purdue in her tenure. She took pride in her passion: motivating and encouraging college students to succeed in school, leadership, and life. A majority of this took place in her close interactions with the Student Orientation Committee and Team Supervisors. During the week of Boiler Gold Rush, she could be seen driving her overwhelmingly pink decorated golf cart, rocking her green pants, and searching for the best Team Leader beacons. Kasi was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in April 2016 and began treatment for the disease soon after. Her positivity and optimism during this time was infectious for those that knew what she was battling. However, many did not understand the magnitude of her situation. She did not let cancer define her actions or her attitude and continued to keep only those close to her in-the-know about her fight against colon cancer. Kasi passed away in July 2018. Later that fall, an endowment was created in her name to recognize BGR staff members who overcame adversity through difficult circumstances, but still maintained a great attitude and energy during BGR and BGRi despite this hardship. 2019 was the inaugural year of this monetary award.

2024: Anna Hodge, Billy Frazer, Carter Lone, Chase Aruskevicius, Ilana Plake, Mallory Wagner, Mariana Gurgel, and Olivia Sumner

2023: Atin Dewan, Brynn Oros, Cole Eckert, and Genevieve Cordes

2022: Robin Bell, Wil Courtney, Mark Kosmerl, Heather Sledzinski, and Emelia Webster

2021: Daniel Geehreng, Layne Harbourt, Kenny Mayberry, Kelly Penrose, and Nicole Stepp

2020: Kyle Janis and Yuvraj Mundhra

2019: Allie Goelz, Korrissa Lambert, Amanda Mudd, and Meredith Robbins

In 1993, Roger Sharritt, former manager at Cary Quadrangle, worked with university leadership to help incoming students make personal, academic, and social transitions from high school to college. As a result, CORN (Collegians Orientating Residential Newcomers) Camp was created and later rebranded to Boiler Gold Rush, establishing a tradition of making new Boilermakers feel at home at Purdue. After his departure from the university, the "Roger Sharritt Award" was created to recognize the most outstanding Team Supervisor for BGR as voted by their peers. This Team Supervisor is a true representation of their Team Supervisor class and represents the same qualities that started the program over 25 years ago. This Team Supervisor embodies the spirit of Purdue University and Orientation Programs, serving as an exceptional mentor and supporter throughout the year by being inclusive, positive, supportive, and maintaining the spirit of Freezone for themselves and others.