2022 Impact Award Winners

The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life has recognized four outstanding individuals as recipients of Student Life Impact Awards. The awards honor exceptionally accomplished alumni and friends of Student Life. Honorees were recognized during the virtual presentation of the 2022 Student Life Honors awards.

Distinguished Mentorship Award - Bob Falk

The 2022 Distinguished Mentor Award went to someone students not only look up due to his extensive professional accolades and successful career, but to someone who is a cheerleader and motivator who encourages students to succeed. We wish there were more people in the world like Bob Falk.

Falk is the president and CEO of Purdue Federal Credit Union. He is an advisor for the Evans Scholars, a co-ed scholarship house on campus with approximately 50 members. He also holds leadership positions with local organizations in Greater Lafayette, such as the United Way, Greater Lafayette Commerce, and Junior Achievement. Despite his busy schedule, Falk made time to mentor the Evans Scholars through individual meetings and at house events. He was instrumental in creating and funding the new Financial Wellness position with Boiler Financial Track. As a result, Boilermakers now have the opportunity to get financial counseling through this service and can leave Purdue empowered to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.

Falk was always the first to volunteer when someone was in need of his time or assistance. His efforts enabled growth and set up students to achieve their own success during and after their collegiate journey

Award for Outstanding Leadership - Roger C. Stewart

Roger C. Stewart was named the 2022 Student Life Outstanding Leadership Award Winner for his exceptional career, cultivation of student leaders and contributions to Purdue University.

After spending 30 years with Procter & Gamble, culminating in the position of vice president of global finance, Roger C. Stewart returned to his alma mater in 2005 to teach in the Krannert School of Management. In addition to his faculty position, he sought to serve students outside the classroom as well. Stewart served as an advisor to the Old Masters, Mortar Board and Iron Key student organizations, where he advised and mentored countless student leaders on our campus. As a result of his giving spirit, he has impacted the lives of numerous Boilermakers.

Stewart built community among students by demonstrating leadership in action and connecting students to each other and to business leaders. His generosity of time, talent and treasure continues with the Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Department, where the Division of Student Life continues his mission to grow the future leaders of tomorrow. Stewart continues to be open to coming to campus to meet with our students. He embodies the philosophy of leading by example and students are prepared to launch rewarding careers as a result of his altruistic spirit and unbounded kindness.

Stewart’s mentorship has made an impact on many Boilermakers, including Stephanie (Nitschmann) Martin, who earned a Master of Science in Human Resource Management in 2015.

“Roger has always made the time to provide a listening ear, share insight, and coach one through life’s decisions,” Martin says. “What I have come to admire most about Roger is his servant leadership, his willingness to act as an advocate for the Purdue student body and, above all, his endless generosity with his time.”

Service Award - Catherine Scott

Catherine (“Cathy”) Scott served the Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life (FSCL) community through the challenging and uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a constant resource and valued voice to all. Her time, effort and dedication for the well-being and success of the FSCL community truly makes it difficult to imagine what the last two years would have looked like with her. We are honored to name Scott as the winner of the 2022 Student Life Service Award.

Scott graduated from Purdue in 1977. She currently serves as the program manager for BoilerWoRx, a College of Pharmacy public health initiative designed to address the opioid crisis. She had past experience as a house director and as a result, understood the needs and nuances of the wide range of university and FSCL stakeholders. She utilized her expertise in public health to assist FSCL throughout the Protect Purdue initiative. Scott has been a sounding board for staff, students and volunteers. She went beyond expectations to be accessible and provide timely communication. She has been the “go to” person to help guide policy and regulations in the houses and chapter gatherings.

We were able to move forward thanks to her sense of calm, her compassion and her dedication. We wholeheartedly appreciate Scott and her outstanding service to the Division of Student Life.

Young Alumni Award - Lindsay Courtney

Lindsay Courtney has applied the skills and experiences she gained at Purdue University to make a positive impact locally and globally. She has harnessed her passion to better the lives of others. Her professional success and the footprints she’s only just started to leave on the world make her this year’s Student Life Young Alumni Award winner.

Starting out as a design intern for Student Life Marketing, Courtney quickly emerged as a student leader. She won multiple awards for her work and even placed nationally in the American Advertising Federation’s ADDY Awards. Upon graduation, she launched her career locally with Trinitas Ventures, again winning numerous awards for her work on collegiate branding and marketing. Courtney then continued her journey by attending graduate school at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. She now works for Lextant - The Human Experience Firm, where she was featured as their Designer All-Star. Outside of work, she is part of Project Resound, a social design organization made up of individuals who aspire to make the world a better place. Her involvement in the organization has led to trips to Greece and Colombia where she created a model for sustainable tourism and assisted farmers with marketing strategies.

In her spare time, Courtney continues to stretch her creativity by renovating an 1800’s historic home in Madison, Indiana. Her love for people, design and making the world a better place embody the true spirit of a Boilermaker.

See our previous Student Life Impact Award Winners.

To view student award recipients in Student Life, visit our Instagram account here.