April 13, 2008

Purdue students honored at annual awards convocation

Steven Tsung Lin Lee, a biomedical engineering major from West Lafayette, Ind., received the $500 G.A. Ross Award for the outstanding graduating man. Lee has had numerous research opportunities as an undergraduate student, including work with the National Institutes of Health, undergraduate research at Purdue and working as a research intern at the Wells Center at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is the community service chair for Mortar Board, president of the Purdue chapter of Engineering World Health and an ambassador for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Lee will continue his education through a joint M.D./Ph.D. program through Indiana University and Purdue in the fall. The G.A. Ross Award is made possible through a gift from Ross, a 1916 alumnus.

Shauna Spring Stapleton, an entomology major with a minor in pre-medicine from Springfield, Ohio, received the $500 Flora Roberts Award for the outstanding graduating woman. Stapleton has been on the dean's list and semester honors list during each semester she has been at Purdue. She also is a varsity athlete and was captain of the Purdue soccer team. She is a member of Mortar Board, the Big Sister Program and the Entomology Undergraduate Club. She has studied in Mexico and plans to go to Costa Rica and Spain to become fluent in Spanish so she can fulfill her goal of working professionally in developing countries. The Flora Roberts Award is made possible through a bequest by Flora Roberts of the Purdue class of 1887.

Kayla M. Herget, a junior in biomedical engineering from Indianapolis, received the $1,000 Bruce Helfert Memorial Award for outstanding junior majoring in science or engineering. Herget is a Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering ambassador and serves that school as an intern, peer mentor and community service co-chair. She is a member of the Timmy Foundation, a medical service organization that provides supplies and money to health care organizations in developing countries. She has participated in a medical service trip to Ecuador during spring break and has been involved in research concerning possible treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The Helfert Award is made possible through a gift from Sylvia Helfert in memory of her son, Bruce Helfert, a 1964 Purdue graduate. He was a surgeon at March Air Force Base in California when he died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Andrew S. Keller, a double major in management and computer science from Hagerstown, Ind., received the $1,000 Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts for an outstanding senior who has demonstrated excellence and the highest standards of proficiency in the visual or performing arts. Keller is a clarinet player in two of Purdue Bands' top ensembles — the Purdue Symphonic Band and Purdue Symphony Orchestra. He will play "Fantasia for Soprano Saxophone" by H. Villa-Lobos on clarinet with the Purdue Symphony Orchestra during the Purdue Bands Showcase concert on April 18 at Elliott Hall. The award is endowed by the late Louis Sudler, a Chicago businessman and supporter of the arts.

Stevie S. Chaddock, a junior from Portage, Ind., with a double major in political science and theater, received the $1,000 Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity Arts Scholarship. Chaddock has been acting since high school, and at Purdue has had roles in seven major productions. She has been an assistant director for three workshop productions. Despite being very involved beyond the classroom, Chaddock has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her years at Purdue. The scholarship is endowed by the Purdue chapter of Alpha Chi Omega and presented annually to a freshman, sophomore or junior with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and whose life is enhanced by a passion for the visual or performing arts.

Three students, Danielle A. Brannon, Amy L. Conklin and Victoria A. Kleyner, were recipients of the Amelia Earhart Scholarship, given to students who demonstrate a desire to succeed in their fields. Recipients of the $1,000 scholarship must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum 3.2 GPA and exhibit leadership skills, determination and potential.

Brannon is a senior from Livermore, Calif., majoring in political science. She is a member of the Student, Access, Transition and Success Programs Student Orientation Committee, the Purdue women's club water polo team, the DiversiKey Diversity Certificate Program and the Pre-Law Society. She is the career opportunities director of the Liberal Arts Student Council. She also has been a team supervisor for Boiler Gold Rush.

Conklin is a senior from Fairborn, Ohio, majoring in dietetics and nutrition, fitness and health. She is a member of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences Honors Program, the Purdue Foundation Student Board and the CFS Head Advisors Committee. She is the vice president of the CFS student council, a CFS ambassador and a student representative on the Department of Foods and Nutrition teaching committee.

Kleyner is a senior from Carmel, Ind., majoring in dietetics and nutrition, fitness and health. She is a member of Purdue Hillel, and she is a Purdue Study Abroad ambassador, a group exercise instructor at the Recreational Sports Center, and a Purdue Convocations usher. She has been a member of the Purdue Swing Dance Club and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Seven students received the Charles O. McGaughey Leadership awards, which were established by McGaughey, a 1939 Purdue graduate, to honor students with leadership potential. To be eligible for these awards, students must have completed at least two years of full-time study at Purdue with at least a 3.0 GPA. They are selected on the basis of their contributions to the university and community.

Recipients of the McGaughey Awards were William P. Burgman of Zionsville, Ind.; Joseph Camp Jr. of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Alexandra Gagnon of Fort Benton, Mont.; Stephen Holtsclaw of Carmel, Ind.; Neena Phadke of Valparaiso, Ind.; Lydia Ryan of Tinley Park, Ill.; and James Totton of Indianapolis.

The honorees each received $3,250 and a crystal paperweight commemorating the award.

Burgman is a senior majoring in management with a minor in marketing. He is awards chair for Mortar Board, was the vice president for the School of Management employers forum, and was the director of speakers for Purdue Student Government. He also is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma national honor societies and Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society.

Camp is a senior majoring in social studies education. He has been a senator of the College of Education in Purdue Student Government and also has served as an ambassador for the College of Education. He has held numerous leadership roles in the Navy ROTC, including public affairs office and battalion supply office. He served as the alumni chair for Mortar Board.

Gagnon is a senior majoring in retail management with minors in Chinese language and culture and Asian studies. She is an ambassador for the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, was director of leadership development for the Panhellenic Association, and was selection chair for Mortar Board. She also has been active with the Purdue Retail Association, Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and College Mentors for Kids, and she has volunteered as an English tutor at the International Center.

Holtsclaw is a senior majoring in management with minors in marketing and finance. He has served as president and director of publicity for the Interfraternity Council; president, vice president and treasurer of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity; athletic chair for Mortar Board; a host for the Old Masters program; and a Boiler Gold Rush team leader.

Phadke is a pharmacy major with a minor in Spanish. She has been a member of the student orientation committee for Boiler Gold Rush, leadership conference co-chair for Mortar Board, and professional development chair of Purdue Pharmacy Ambassadors. She has been active in Delta Gamma sorority as director of scholarship.

Ryan is a senior majoring in English education. She is president of Dance Marathon and calendar chair for Mortar Board. She has served on the student orientation committee for Boiler Gold Rush and was treasurer of the Liberal Arts Student Council. She also was a member of Iron Key and has been active with the Gifted Education Resource Institute and Relay for Life. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key Honor Society.

Totton is a senior majoring in selling and sales management with a minor in history and religious studies. He has served many roles with Purdue Student Government, including public relations director, marketing director, media communications director, radio show director, interim executive director of governmental relations and chief of staff. He has served as activities director and officer at large for College Mentors for Kids, is a member of Iron Key, was a team leader for Boiler Gold Rush and was site leader coordinator for Boiler Blast.

Andrea Shen received the Martin C. Jischke Outstanding International Student Award, a new award for 2008 that includes a $500 cash award.

Shen, a Canadian citizen who spent much of her younger life in Taiwan, is a triple major in management, English and industrial management. She also has two minors in manufacturing management and organizational behavior and human resources. She twice served as a volunteer for international student orientation and served two terms as president of the Purdue International Student Alliance, which annually organizes presentations about various cultures from around the world. Under Shen's leadership, Purdue International Student Alliance was asked to help with the inaugural Mosaic dinner at Purdue in 2007 and the Indianapolis International Center's International Citizen of the Year award banquet the same year.

Writer: Julie Rosa, (765) 494-2036, jrosa@purdue.edu

Source: Jim Vruggink, director of special projects, (765) 494-2086, jvruggink@purdue.edu

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

To the News Service home page