May 2, 2005

Purdue pair named Big Brother, Big Sister of the Year

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two Purdue University College of Education staff members received top awards from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wabash Valley during an April 24 award ceremony at Duncan Hall in downtown Lafayette.

Linda Austin, director of the office of field experiences, was named Big Sister of the Year. Ed Wiercioch, coordinator of early field experiences, was named Big Brother of the Year. Both volunteer in school-based programs for the non-profit agency.

Jodie Windler, coordinator of school-based mentoring for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wabash Valley, said Austin and Wiercioch are exceptional volunteers and role models.

"Ed is a great advocate for us because he is very consistent and even recruits other volunteers to the program," Windler said. "Linda just goes beyond her role as a Big Sister. She really takes it to heart, often trying to help not only her little sister, but also the whole family."

Austin became active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wabash Valley when her co-worker, Wiercioch, encouraged her to take part in the annual bowl-a-thon. The event is the organization's biggest fund-raiser.

Austin did not become a Big Sister until two years ago, however, due to a battle with cancer that she has since won. With the cancer in remission, Austin has since been a Big Sister to Brandy, a local grade school student. Austin's husband and two daughters told her that they feel her volunteering has provided a focus for her recovery.

"I would have started volunteering as a Big Sister then, but I was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer," Austin said. "I needed to concentrate on that battle first."

Windler said she's happy to have Wiercioch's help in the agency, where he's been either a volunteer or employee since the late 1980s. He and his little brother, Ian, often get together with Austin and Brandy for activities during their weekly meetings at a local elementary school. Both agree that their "Littles" have matured and grown in their peer relationships.

"The school-based program is not based on academics, it's just physically in the schools," Wiercioch said. "We work to form relationships with students who have been recommended by their teachers, and we are role models and mentors to them."

Wiercioch grew up the youngest of five children, with two brothers and two sisters. He said that volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers him with the chance to provide the kind of guidance his siblings gave him while he was growing up.

"My brothers and sisters always were very important to me, but I always was the little brother," Wiercioch said. "This gives me a chance to be the big brother for a change."

Writers: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu; Aaron Martin, (765) 496-6133, martinac@purdue.edu

Sources: Linda Austin, (765) 494-7990, laustin@purdue.edu

Ed Wiercioch, (765) 494-6658, wiercioc@purdue.edu

Jodie Windler, (765) 742-8045

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

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