Student Life Honors 2025 Award Recipients

The persistent pursuit of excellence extends beyond the classroom at Purdue. We would like to congratulate the Student Life Honors Awards recipients who were recognized on April 6, 2025, for demonstrating commitment to leadership and the Purdue community through their involvement in student activities, student employment, community service and learning. These students and staff represent what it means to be a Boilermaker.

See the full list of the 2025 Student Life Honors award recipients below, and browse the gallery slider below to see all of this year's winners.

Student Activities and Organizations

Outstanding Program Award

Presented to the student organizations that have implemented the most outstanding campus programs during the academic year. The winners receive a plaque.

Medical Innovation, Networking and Design (MIND)
Association of Zamorano Alumni

Innovative Program Award

Presented to the student organizations that have implemented the most creative campus programs during the academic year.

Gift of Life at Purdue University
Hack the Future

Dynamic Program Award

Presented to a Student Organization that has continued to have its traditional program but has reimagined its implementation.

Purdue University Dance Marathon

Rising Boilermaker Award

Presented to individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of and interest in campus activities and organizations. Recipients display enthusiasm, motivation, communication and organizational skills. The award recognizes a member who has stepped up and contributed to an organization.

Daniel Armstrong, Mechanical Engineering, Wrightstown N.J.
Gabrielle Hobbs, First-Year Engineering, Flower Mound, Texas
Aarion King Joseph, First Year Engineering/Mechanical Engineering, Tysons, Virginia
Freddy Lang, Electrical Engineering, Eagan, Minnesota
Maura Whitaker, Mechanical Engineering, Mequon, Wisconsin
Aaliyah Zamorano, Mechanical Engineering, Roseville, California
Megan Larkey, Nursing, Carmel, Indiana
Chayleigh Swartz, Pharmaceutical Science, Lebanon, Indiana
Indira Amin, Biology, Houston, Texas
Samuel Copeland, Biochemistry, New Glarus, Wisconsin
Lucas Johnson, Chemical Biology and Biochemistry, Crown Point, Indiana
Elle Vander Laan, Chemical Engineering, Darien, Illinois
Aryak Dixit, Engineering Management, Graduate School, Mumbai, India
Manan Singh, Robotics Engineering Technology, Sunnyvale, California

Community Engagement Award

Presented to the student organization providing outstanding service to other people, organizations or places. Organizations recognize the importance of serving the community and have gained an understanding of social issues facing their communities.

Purdue University Dance Marathon

Co-Sponsorship/Collaboration of the Year

Presented to the organization that provided the most outstanding co-sponsored program or program series for the betterment of campus, students and Purdue University. The winning organization showcases the importance of collaboration, takes initiative to begin tasks related to positive change, displays an understanding of campus needs and shows successful interactions between multiple campus organizations, all with a demonstrably successful program. The winning organization receives a plaque.

National Association of the Advancement of Colored People

Boilermaker Pride Award

Presented to an organization which displays outstanding sportsmanship at all competitions, competes against a Big 10 opponent in an annual competition that has taken place in the last three years and has active participation by all members at most competitions. The winning organization receives a plaque.

ACM Purdue Chapter

Student Organization of the Year Excellence Award

Considered a “lifetime achievement award” for student organizations that demonstrate continued excellence in its programs, leadership and service. The winning programs show long-term excellence in affecting positive change on campus, demonstrating collaboration between campus and community, implementing ongoing programs and encouraging organizational participation, teamwork and leadership development in all of its members. The winning organization receives a plaque.

MANRRS - Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
Society of Women Engineers

Dean Betty Nelson Student Organization Service Award

Recognizes one student organization and one student affiliated with a student organization, both of which excel in community service in the Greater Lafayette area. The student winner receives a monetary award.

Relay for Life
Roseline Adewuyi, Doctor of Philosophy, Nigeria

Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award

Given to an advisor who demonstrated initiative in working with student organization members, effectively facilitated the organization’s efforts to accomplish its mission, provided dedicated support to the development of student learning and served as a role model for organization members.

Sarah Waxman, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion

Honors the legacy of Dean Helen B. Schleman, who served as Dean of Women from 1947-68. The award is presented to a faculty member or administrator for their contributions to Purdue, especially in the promotion and advancement of women students and women’s issues. The winner receives a monetary award and a medallion in addition to having their name engraved on a plaque.

Pamela Nave, Associate Professor of Bands, Purdue Bands & Orchestras

Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life:

National Pan-Hellenic Council Member of the Year

Recognizes an individual who has contributed to the Purdue fraternal movement in significant ways. The individual seeks to maintain high standards in their academic, social and service pursuits while leading the FSCL community at Purdue.

Victoria Nnaji, Computer and Information Technology, Schererville, Indiana

Multicultural Greek Council Member of the Year

Emily Hennessy, Psychology and Sociology, Oak Lawn, Illinois

Interfraternity Council John Wooden Leader of the Year

Presented to a fraternity member who models the way for others in his words, actions and deeds. The honoree serves as an inspiration to others and encourages them to rise above the status quo.

Frank Svanascini, Finance and Marketing, Chicago, Illinois
Justin Bonanno, Industrial Engineering, Dallas, Texas

Lafayette Alumni Panhellenic Woman of the Year

Honors an accomplished sorority woman who has offered outstanding service to her campus, community and chapter.

Ashleigh Morris, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Fishers, Indiana

Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Department

Charles O. McGaughey Leadership Award

Recognizes students who demonstrate leadership abilities and an appreciation of basic American values as evidenced by a record of achievement through community service and service to Purdue University. The honorees receive a crystal paperweight and a cash award.

Olivia Reynolds, Accounting, Finance and Agribusiness, Bluffton, Indiana
Paige Bryan, Mechanical Engineering, Bellevue, Washington
Carissa Ray, Psychology, Johnsburg, Illinois
Clarice Ndangam, English Literature, Middleton, Delaware
Wesley Lin, Finance, Fountain Valley, California

Dean Betty Nelson Leadership Legacy Award

Awarded to students who utilize their personal strengths to leave their mark on Purdue and the community. The award is made possible by the Emily Mauzy Vogel Endowment, set up by a generous gift from the late Mr. And Mrs. Robert Mauzy, and in honor of Dean of Students Emerita Betty Nelson. The winner receives a monetary award.

Brianna Arinze, Doctor of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri
Marianna Chicas, Chemical Biology and Biochemistry, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

University Residences (UR) & Dining & Culinary Awards

Lanny C. Wilson Scholarship

The Lanny C. Wilson Scholarship was established to recognize the contributions of Lanny Wilson, former director of administration for University Residences, for his many years of service to students at Purdue University. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student in University Residences who has achieved distinction in leadership while also employed in a student staff position.

Lily Cruz, Animation and Visual Effects, Lowell, Indiana

William I. Bennett Courtier Achievement Scholarship

Established to preserve the spirit of the Courtiers of Fowler Courts and to recognize William I. Bennett for his years of service of Fowler Courts. This scholarship is awarded to the individual who has excelled in academics, exemplified their hall spirit and contributed to their residence hall community. The winner receives a scholarship award.

Harshita Pasupuleti, Computer Science, Bangalore, India

University Residences (UR) Tour Guide of the Year

The UR Tour Guide of Year award is presented to a student employed in the University Residences Alumni and Guest Center who does an excellent job passing on the Boilermaker spirit. UR Tour Guides are students who help introduce parents, prospective students and guests to the University Residences community. The winner receives a cash award.

Daniel Martin, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Sarah Johnson Outstanding Student Employee of the Year

Selected based on reliability, quality of work, initiative, teamwork and contributions to Purdue Dining & Culinary. The award recognizes the many contributions of Sarah Johnson, former director of residential dining for University Residences, who dedicated more than 37 years of service to students at Purdue University and the National Association for Colleges & University Food Services. The winner receives a monetary award.

Britney Mitchell, Economics, Kingston, Jamaica

William “Bill” Rumple Residential Dining Head Captain Award

Established in recognition of William and Tim Rumple, both of whom provided outstanding service to University Residences Dining Services as former head waiters at Fowler Court and Cary Quadrangle. This award is given annually to a student manager or student coordinator in residential dining services who has achieved distinction in leadership while employed in dining services. The winner receives a monetary award.

Caleb Blanton, Mechanical Engineering Technology, New Albany, Indiana

Student Employment Awards

Hall of Music Productions Outstanding Guest Services Technician Award

Awarded annually to a student employee within the department who provides leadership and skill in support of the department’s mission.

Sarah Dufek, Elementary Education, Bartlett, Illinois

Hall of Music Productions Outstanding Student Technician Award

Awarded to a student employee within the tech department of Hall of Music Productions who provides leadership and skill in support of the department’s mission.

Andrew Burzynski, Communications, Munster, Indiana

Recreation & Wellness Operations Rookie of the Year

Recognizes an individual who has made progressive and significant contributions to Operations during their first year as a student employee.

Kaitlyn McAlexander, Elementary Education, Harlan, Indiana

Recreation & Wellness Fitness Programs Rookie of the Year

Recognizes an individual who has made progressive and significant contributions to Fitness Programs during their first year as a student employee.

Ben Matthies, Kinesiology, Indianapolis, Indiana

Recreation & Wellness Rookie of the Year

Awarded to a first-year employee in Recreation & Wellness who has exceeded expectations with a positive attitude, high work standards, outstanding leadership and has made significant impact.

Jocelyn Sutherland, Digital Criminology, Crown Point, Indiana

Recreation & Wellness Operations Employee of the Year

Awarded to an outstanding employee in Recreation & Wellness who has exceeded expectations with a positive attitude, high work standards, outstanding leadership and has made a significant impact.

Teresa King, Food Science, Delaware, Ohio

Recreation & Wellness Employee of the Year

Awarded to an outstanding employee in Recreation & Wellness who has exceeded expectations with a positive attitude, high work standards, outstanding leadership and has made a significant impact.

Haylee Snyder, Kinesiology, Columbus, Indiana

Student Life Employee of the Year

Recognizes excellence while employed in a Student Life department throughout the academic year.

Abigail Bruno, Studio Arts and Technology, Chicago Ridge, Illinois
Caroline Davison, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Deer Park, Illinois

Student Life Outstanding New Student Employee

Recognizes performance excellence throughout the semester by new employees.

Arnav Srivastava, Economics, Mumbai, India
Kai Tran, Food Science, Binh Phuoc, Vietnam

Outstanding Leadership Awards

France A. Córdova Leadership in Action Award

Recognizes graduating undergraduate students or graduating graduate students whose leadership while attending Purdue University has made a significant contribution to the university.

Flora Roberts Award

Presented to an 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.

Kelsey Smart, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sociology, and Linguistics, Fishers, Indiana

G.A. Ross Award

Rachel Labi, Finance, West Lafayette, Indiana

Student Life Impact Awards

The Student Life Impact Awards were established by the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life in order to honor, recognize and engage exceptionally accomplished alumni and friends of Student Life at Purdue.

Student Life Young Alumni Award

Given to a Purdue alumnus 35 or younger who has shown outstanding career development through traditional channels or innovative practices.

Zachary Brantly, Head of US Investment Banking, Berenberg Capital Markets

Student Life Award for Outstanding Leadership

Given to alumni who have exceptional careers and shown long-term leadership within their chosen profession, as well as noteworthy professional accomplishments that reflect favorably on their profession, Purdue University and society.

Teresa Roche, Chief Human Resources Officer, City of Fort Collins

Student Life Service Award

Given to a Purdue alumnus who has demonstrated a commitment to their community through the development of, or significant contributions to private or public programs that improve or enhance quality of life.

Drew (NASA Astronaut and Geophysicist) and Indira Feustel (Speech-Language Pathologist)

Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Student Life Mentor Award

The Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Student Life Mentor Award honors and promotes the considerable efforts and accomplishments of individuals who consistently serve as effective mentors for students in areas within the Division of Student Life.

Jen Bannon, Associate Director of Residential Leadership, University Residences

Student Life Exceptional Staff Award

This award is presented to currently employed staff members in Student Life for their exceptional student support throughout the year. A student committee reviews the applications and selects the winner of this award.

Kyla Houston, Senior Associate Director of Administration, University Residences