Three students honored with Purdue Homecoming Pillars of Excellency

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University on Saturday (Nov. 14) announced three recipients of the merit-based Homecoming Pillars of Excellency during halftime of the Homecoming football game against Northwestern.

The Purdue Student Union Board created the honor to recognize students who exemplify education and scholarship, service and leadership, and research and innovation. It is open to juniors and seniors, and each awardee received a $1,000 scholarship.

Emma Rogers, a junior majoring in geology and geophysics with a double major in planetary science, and a student in the Honor College, from Murrieta, California, received the Teaching and Scholarship pillar.

Alexandra Kipnis, a senior majoring in computer science from Cupertino, California, was the recipient of the Service and Leadership pillar.

The recipient of the Research and Innovation pillar is Marina Mehling, a senior majoring in biological engineering from Phoenix. Mehling is in the Honors College.

Sponsors for the Homecoming Pillars of Excellency are the Purdue Student Union Board and Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life.

Source: Chelsea Harris, harris648@purdue.edu