Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
September 21, 1999 Purdue Beering Scholars chosen for 1999-2000WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Seven incoming freshmen have been awarded Purdue University's most prestigious scholarship. Recipients of the Steven C. Beering Scholarship, which covers all college expenses for undergraduate and graduate study, are Ashley Allen of East Lyme, Conn.; Nathan Hribar of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Adam Pender of Andover, Minn.; Jennifer Schuster of Carmel, Ind., Adam 'Kirk' Smiley of Palatine, Ill.; Brian Ward of Brownsburg, Ind.; and Ryan Whitley of Lexington, Ky. Beering, who has been Purdue's president since 1983, established the scholarship in 1986 to attract students of the highest caliber to the university. The scholarship covers all college expenses, including fees and tuition, room and board, books and spending money. "Unlike most other awards throughout the country, this scholarship can apply to both undergraduate and graduate degrees," said Joyce Koelzer, director of annual support. "Recipients who maintain the required standards hold the Beering Scholarship throughout their time at Purdue and may convert it to a fellowship to pursue Purdue master's and doctoral degrees." Allen is a graduate of East Lyme High School, where she was senior reporter on her school newspaper, a National Merit semifinalist and served on the varsity team for the Scholastic Bowl Knowledge Competition. Her prose won first place from the Illinois Association of Teachers of English competition. Allen's love of plants and flowers grew as she served as vice president of the Naperville Central Horticulture Club, as a volunteer landscape planner for a city park, and as a presenter at the Illinois Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, where she presented her own paleobotany research. She plans to major in earth/space science and earn her teaching degree. Hribar, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, was a nominee for the 1998 National Science Olympiad, a National Merit semifinalist, and secretary/treasurer of the National Honor Society at his school. He was a deanery representative for the Pittsburgh Diocesan Youth Council, a peer minister for his high school's campus ministry, and a church lecturer. He will pursue a degree in electrical and computer engineering. Pender graduated from Anoka High School, where he was captain of both the basketball team and the math league. In 1998, he was selected to attend Boy's State where he was elected its supreme court chief justice. Pender received the Renaissance Award for Math in 1998 and for Science in 1999. He is a 1999 National Merit semifinalist, a member of the National Honor Society, and head umpire for the Anoka Baseball Association. Schuster, a graduate of Carmel High School, was co-founder of the student diversity committee and winner of the 1998 Brown University Book Award. She was flute leader for the marching band, a student newspaper editor, and a member of the National Honor Society. Schuster was a National Merit semifinalist and a 1998 National Council of Teachers of English competition national finalist. She plans to study biology and liberal arts. Smiley graduated from William Fremd High School, where he was a four-year student council representative and editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. He was a founding member of his city's Peer Jury and he was a member of the National Honor Society and a National Merit semifinalist. Smiley founded his school's Swing Band, and during his senior year he was treasurer of both the Honors Band and the Modern Music Masters group. In 1998, he was selected for Boy's State, served as captain of the Scholastic Bowl, and won the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. Smiley plans to earn a political science degree. Ward, a graduate of Brownsburg High School, was selected to represent Indiana at the National Leadership Academy and was selected to the National Football Foundation Central Indiana Chapter 1999 Scholar-Athlete Team. He was president of both the Student Council and National Honor Society. Ward placed third in state for the Discover Card Tribute Award Program and was honored with the Outstanding Service and Leadership Award from the Brownsburg chapter of Optimist International. He was chairman of his county's clothing drive and chairman of his school's National Day of Concern About Gun Violence. He was a member of the varsity football team and captain of five different academic teams. He is an Eagle Scout. Ward plans to pursue a degree in chemical or mechanical engineering. Whitley is a graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, where he was a National Merit semifinalist and a member of the National Honor Society. During his junior and senior years, Whitley worked on a research project for the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Kentucky, and he was invited to present his research to the Annual Symposium of Aerospace Science in Dayton, Ohio. He was involved in both theater and band, and he won state and regional band competitions for trumpet solos. Whitley was on the executive board of the drug awareness club Above the Crowd. He plans to earn an aeronautical or mechanical engineering degree. Including the new recipients, there will be 25 Beering Scholars and six Fellows this fall. The program is supported by gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and Purdue alumni clubs. CONTACT: Koelzer, (765) 494-2729; jkoelzer@purdue.edu Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: This news release contains information about a student from your readership area. Color photos of the seven Beering Scholars are available at the News Service ftp site at or by calling the Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2073.
|
