Date: Sept. 24, 2012
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC Students Earn Chancellor's Leadership Awards

Chancellor's Leadership Group

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin has announced the winners of the 2012-2013 Chancellor's Leadership Award.

The students selected for the honor join a distinguished group of students who have a record of academic achievement and demonstrated leadership through involvement in school and community activities.

Award criteria include school and community involvement and leadership, scholastic achievement and potential for participation and leadership in PNC extracurricular activities. Students earning leadership awards represent high schools throughout Northwest Indiana and were involved in a variety of clubs, activities, community and church organizations and sports.

The Chancellor's Leadership Award is a renewable scholarship program that requires participation in an on-campus leadership seminar and volunteer service, among other requirements. Several of the scholarships are sponsored through endowment funds created by local businesses and individuals.

Students earning the awards are:

Hannah Barden – A 2012 La Porte High School graduate, Barden is a Business major. She was a member of National Honor Society, a Pom and Dance captain, varsity tennis singles player, art club member, PNC College Bound member, 21st Century Scholar and Work Ethic member. She volunteered at the zoo, local animal shelters and hospitals.

Marwa Choucair – A 2012 Michigan City High School graduate, she is a Pre-Pharmacy student. In high school she was a member of the National Honor Society, participated in Alpha Links, Spanish Club was president, Spanish Honor Society member, Student Government member and tutor.

Sarah Eggers – A 2012 Chesterton High School graduate, she is a Biology major and plans to attend dental school. She has been a volunteer with the Day of Caring, Sharefest and Fill the Bus at the Salvation Army. As a dentist, she plans to do mission work.

Shane Hill – A Mechanical Engineering major, Hill is a 2012 graduate of New Buffalo (Michigan) High School. His high school activities included cross country, track, mock trial, theater tech, Quiz Bowl team captain, student senate and Envirothon team captain.

Matt Kienapple – As a 2012 Valparaiso High School graduate, Kienapple was a Spanish club officer and played on the basketball team. He volunteered at Porter Hospital and with projects such as Rebuilding Together. He looks forward to a career in physical therapy.

Anneliese Kieper -- This 2012 Hebron High School graduate played basketball all four years and was caption her senior year. She was a member of Student Council, Spanish Club and a National Honor Society officer. As a nine-year 4H member, she was vice president her final two years. A biology major, she intends to become an occupational therapist.

Matthew McLaughlin – A 2012 Niles (Michigan) High School graduate, he was a member of National Honor Society and played baseball, basketball, soccer and ran cross country. He participated in community services projects including teaching clinics at the YMCA, assisting his pastor at his hometown church and helping summer school at his former elementary school. He is a Business major.

Paige Mellen – Business major with a Spanish minor, Mellin is a 2012 Michigan City High School graduate. She was in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Steering Committee, girl's swimming, and golf. She also tutored. She volunteered at the Michiana Humane Society and with her high school recycling program.

Matt Migliorini – A 2012 Sullivan (Indiana) High School graduate, he is a Mechanical Engineering major. In high school he belonged to the Supermileage club, Beta club, National Honor Society and tennis. He helped organize car shows to raise money for organizations such as Clothe-a-Child, Shop With A Cop and Our Father's Arms. At PNC, he has already started a Supermilege Club with students building energy efficient and eco friendly cars for a spring completion in Houston.

Isabella O'Shea-Childress – She is a 2012 graduate from Michigan City High School where she was a member of the varsity swim team, involved in National Honor Society, peer tutoring and the school recycling program. She volunteers at the local animal shelter. She plans to pursue a career in Psychology.

Myles Reardon – A 2012 graduate of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Ill., who is an Electrical Engineering major. In high school he was Mock Trial team captain, and a member of the Art Club, Book Club, Strategic Games Club, Law Club, the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. The also attained the rank of Eagle Scout and is a published author.

Diane Rich – A home-schooled student, she graduated in 2007. During that time, she served on the LaPorte Library Young Adult Advisory Board, participated in Leadership LaPorte County and taught martial arts. A current PNC student, she is vice president of the American Sign Language Club, performs with the Improv Comedy Club and PNC Players, is a student facilitator, a peer leader and is conducting research with the Biology Department. She hopes to become a physician or physical therapist.

Mark Roney – A senior at South Central High School, he will graduate in January. He plans to major in Construction Engineering and Management Technology. He plays football and has been captain for two years. He was year class president. Mark plans to someday have his own construction company.

Joshua Russell – A continuing PNC student and Elementary Education major, he is a graduate of Valparaiso High School. He was a member of the high school band and Pep Band. He is a staff supervisor for the Valparaiso Parks Department youth soccer and softball programs and is involved with the day baseball program.

Lindsey Sample – A 1997 graduate of South Central High School, she is a current PNC student majoring in Nursing. A wife and mother, she is active in the community. On campus, she is Student Association for Nursing Development (STAND) club secretary and member of Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Sigma Lambda honor societies.

Ashley Starcevich – A 2012 graduate of Lowell High School, she was Student council secretary and an L-club member. She volunteered with the Les Turner ASL Foundation, Operation Shoebox, Lowell Parks Department and Angel of Mercy soup kitchen. She also played travel softball and intends to play for the PNC softball team. She is a Biology major.

Priya Verma – A 2012 Michigan City High School graduate, she was involved with girls tennis, Steering Committee, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, peer tutoring, morning announcements, Math Club and was a 2011 Hoosier Girls State delegate. She volunteers at LaPorte Hospital. She intends to become a pharmacist.

Kathryn Orr – She is a 2011 Valparaiso High School graduate and a PNC Business major. In high school she was a Student Council member, National Honor Society secretary, Key Club president. At PNC she is a Student Government Association member and Circle K secretary. She volunteers as the Valparaiso High School Key Club advisor.