Skip to main content
Loading

Together, we can Protect Purdue.

See our FAQs

2026 Ross & Roberts Award Winners

2026 G.A. Ross Award Winner

Presented to the most outstanding graduating student who has shown a commitment to scholarship, leadership and service and displays outstanding character. The honoree will have their name engraved on the MSEE obelisk and will receive an engraved medallion and monetary award.

Abigail O. Frank Headshot

Abigail O. Frank

Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering

Abby was involved in numerous organizations during her time at Purdue, her leadership within the Purdue Space Program’s High Altitude Propulsion team is particularly noteworthy. Serving first as Propulsion Co-Lead and later as Project Manager, Abby redesigned the team’s onboarding program to foster a culture centered on education, member retention, and the development of technical skills. Under her leadership, the team successfully launched its first two-stage rocket—the first of its kind flown by an undergraduate team at Purdue—and competed in the Argonia Cup, earning third place in its first year of participation. Also notable during Abby’s leadership is the creation of “Rocket Camp” by the team. This is an eight-week seminar series taught by team members to provide new members with the foundation to be able to contribute to the team.

Abby was also recruited by a faculty member to create and lead COBALT, a Living Learning Community within the John Martinson Honors College that connects student leaders across Purdue to promote leadership development, service opportunities, and specialized workshops.

Her commitment to service while at Purdue was equally evident through her role as an AAE Ambassador, where she provided tours and presentations to prospective students and their families, and her work teaching the World Readiness Lab course as part of the Honors Mentor Program.

Words of Wisdom from Abby:

  • Don’t be afraid to try things outside of your comfort zone! Sometimes the best experiences come from unexpected places, and college is a perfect place to explore and find what you’re passionate about. It’s important to do this outside of your major as well.
  • Find a trusted mentor. This could be a professor, an advisor, or an internship mentor. It’s been so pivotal in my college experience to have mentors who I can ask for advice and talk tough things through. Building these relationships over time is gratifying too!
  • Talk to your professors in their office hours. They’re people too, and you don’t just have to talk to them about classes. Go in with a few questions to get you started and the conversation will flow from there. Building relationships with your professors will serve you well in classes, professional development, and as a person.

2026 Flora Roberts Award Winner

Presented to the most outstanding graduating student who has shown a commitment to scholarship, leadership and service and displays outstanding character. The honoree will have their name engraved on the MSEE obelisk and will receive an engraved medallion and monetary award.

Nicholas Neuman Headshot

Nicholas Neuman

Agricultural Economics and Political Science

Nicholas A. Neuman has served on several student leadership boards and organizations. Neuman served as Vice President of Purdue Student Government. In that role, he co-founded XChange Purdue and financed a textbook affordability initiative. On campus, he was also an active member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, Lilly Scholars Network, and College of Agriculture Ambassadors. During his junior year, Neuman studied at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and was awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship for Public Service. As Purdue's first Obama Voyager Fellow, he worked in Galway, Ireland, completing a comparative analysis of rural grantmaking efforts and best practices. He has held internships with the City of Indianapolis, US Department of State, and HWC Engineering. After graduating, Neuman joined HWC Engineering as an Economic Development Project Coordinator.

Words of Wisdom from Nicholas:

  • Opportunities do not often just fall right into your lap. Involvement with clubs and organizations on campus, however, can connect you with people that make opportunities possible.
  • Find your niche (personally, professionally, and academically) and dive headfirst. Underclassmen have a tendency to spread themselves too thin with commitments. Instead, commit to the niche interests that you care about and actively enrich your life.
  • Take advantage of the resources included with tuition. Whether it's the COREC, Food Pantry, Student Legal Services, or the Center for Career Opportunities, many students don't realize all of the resources available to them while at Purdue.