May 5, 1999
The students will be honored at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22, during a reception at the Kansas Union on the KU campus.
The honored students were selected by the chancellor's student awards committee from nominations submitted by KU students, faculty and staff. The committee's membership includes faculty, staff and students.
"KU has many outstanding students who will make their mark on the future of Kansas and the nation," KU Chancellor Robert E. Hemenway said. "But, in my view and that of the committee, these eleven students are outstanding examples worthy of recognition for their hard work and commitment to the future."
The students to be honored this year, their hometowns and awards, are
ADRIENNE MARIE JUETT, daughter of Robert and Carolyn Juett, 1710 Harbeson Ave., Cincinnati (formerly of Katy, Texas) will receive a bachelor's degree in engineering. She plans to continue her education in physics after graduation and hopes to become a researcher at either a national laboratory or university.
At KU, Juett was active in undergraduate research projects, including an astrophysics experiment at the South Pole. She was a teaching assistant in the physics department, co-president of the society of physics students and a member of both the physics and engineering honor societies. She also won a Goldwater Scholarship, a national award for science, math and engineering students.
Juett receives the Class of 1913 Award, given annually to a graduating senior who shows evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies and personal character and who shows promise of usefulness to society.
RONALD C. CHEN, son of Charles and Connie Chen, Topeka, will receive a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He plans to study medicine.
At KU, Chen was president of his scholarship hall and active in student government. He also was a student instructor, a member of several honorary societies and won a Goldwater Scholarship, a national award for science, math and engineering students. In the community, Chen served as a hospital volunteer, a literacy tutor and as a member of the Center for Community Outreach.
Chen receives the Class of 1913 Award, given annually to a graduating senior who shows evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies and personal character and who shows promise of usefulness to society.
KELLY ELIZABETH THOMPSON, daughter of Allan and Betty Thompson, 1821 E. Vincent Drive, Springfield, Mo., will receive a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is undecided about her plans following graduation.
At KU, Thompson was active in her sorority and several on-campus organizations. She was a student ambassador for new students, an advisor to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a student volunteer for the KU Alumni Association and a member of the KU Marching Band Colorguard. She was named KU's Outstanding Greek Senior Woman and was a member of both junior and senior class honorary societies.
Thompson receives the Agnes Wright Strickland Award. The award was established in 1953 in memory of Strickland, a member of the class of 1887. The award is given annually to a graduating senior in recognition of his or her academic record, demonstrated leadership in matters of university concern, respect among fellow students and indications of future dedication to service to the university.
MICHAEL KENDALL DAY, son of Mike and Brenda Day, 404 Birch, St. Francis, will receive a bachelor's degree in Italian. He will attend law school following graduation.
At KU, Day was active in the KU Student Alumni Association, was an orientation assistant for new students, worked in KU's language laboratory, was active in student government and helped coordinate a mentoring program to assist new students. He also served as an intern to Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, during the legislative session. He earned awards as a KU Hilltopper, numerous scholarships and was a member of two campus honorary societies.
Day receives the Agnes Wright Strickland Award. The award was established in 1953 in memory of Strickland, a member of the class of 1887. The award is given annually to a graduating senior in recognition of his or her academic record, demonstrated leadership in matters of university concern, respect among fellow students and indications of future dedication to service to the university.
ERIKA LYNN NUTT, daughter of Ellen Estes, 2309 George Washington Blvd., Wichita, and Richard Nutt, 3637 Woodland Trail, Eagan, Minn., will receive a bachelor's degree in social work. She plans to pursue advanced degrees in law and social work after graduation.
At KU, Nutt was a residence hall assistant, a tutor for high school students considering college and a member of the peer education team dedicated to fostering diversity on campus. In the community, she was a co-director of the Center for Community Outreach, which pairs KU students with service agencies, an AIDS project volunteer and a volunteer for a program for hungry and homeless people. She earned awards as a KU Hilltopper, earned numerous scholarships and was named outstanding attorney during a mock trail regional tournament.
Nutt receives the Donald K. Alderson Memorial Award, presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated loyalty to the university and interest in it and who has been active in student activities and services that benefit other students. The award was established in memory of Alderson, former dean of men at KU and dean of student services.
RAVEN EZEKIEL HEAVY RUNNER, son of Francis J. Calflooking Sr., Browning, Mont., will receive a bachelor's degree in social work. He plans to continue his studies in social work after graduation.
At KU, Heavy Runner was president of the First Nations Student Association, helped organize the Multicultural Student Coalition, was a peer educator on diversity issues and was active in student government. In the community, Heavy Runner was an active volunteer for several service organizations. Heavy Runner was a Ronald McNair Scholar in 1998-99 and transferred to KU from Haskell Indian Nations University.
Heavy Runner receives the Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award given to a graduating student who has unselfishly contributed to the university through campus involvement. The award was established in 1993 by Dillard's family and friends to remember and honor him.
JEFFREY PAUL LACROIX, son of Rick and Kathy LaCroix, 15727 W. 141st Terrace, Olathe, will receive a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is undecided about his plans following graduation.
At KU, LaCroix was active in Student Union Activities, was a campus tour guide, orientation assistant for new students, a member of the Student Alumni Association and a co-director of a program where KU students use their spring break to help those who are less fortunate. In the community, LaCroix was a volunteer worker at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and helped plan a youth summit.
LaCroix receives the Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award given to a graduating student who has unselfishly contributed to the university through campus involvement. The award was established in 1993 by Dillard's family and friends to remember and honor him.
MICHAEL JOSEPH SCHINDLER, son of Richard and Mary Schindler, 12530 Summit St., Kansas City, Mo., will earn a bachelor's degree in business administration. He will enter the work force following graduation.
At KU, Schindler was president of the All Scholarship Hall Council and was active in his own scholarship hall in addition to being active in KU student government. He was a member of both junior and senior honorary societies and served as an intern in the KU Department of Student Housing. In the community, Schindler was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, a local group that provides food for needy and homeless people, and with his church. He received several scholarship honors and was a university delegate to several conferences.
Schindler receives the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award, presented annually to three students who demonstrate a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award was established by a group of graduating seniors in 1973 to honor their friend and fellow student Rusty Leffel.
MARIA ZOE ABATJOGLOU, daughter of Anthony and Catherine Abatjoglou, 25 Coventry Woods, South Charleston, W. Va., will earn bachelor's degrees in philosophy and Spanish. She hopes to attend law school after graduation.
At KU, Abatjoglou was a member of the KU women's tennis team and twice earned Academic All-American honors. In addition, she was active in the KU Student Senate, served on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student council and encouraged other student-athletes to volunteer time for various community agencies. In the community, she was a volunteer teacher and a fund-raiser for a rape crisis center. She was named a KU Hilltopper and to several KU honor societies in addition to being named a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year award for her academic, athletic and community service achievements.
Abatjoglou receives the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award, presented annually to three students who demonstrate a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award was established by a group of graduating seniors in 1973 to honor their friend and fellow student Rusty Leffel.
KEVIN YODER, son of Susan Alexander and Wayne Yoder, 408 E. 16th St., Hutchinson, will earn bachelor's degrees in political science and English. He plans to attend law school after graduation.
At KU, Yoder was student body president, president of his fraternity, a new student orientation assistant and an adviser for students considering law careers. In the community, he was a staff member for the Democratic Committee. His awards include being named a KU Hilltopper, the Excel Award and the Interfraternity Council Outstanding Senior and Leader of the Year Awards.
Yoder receives the Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award, presented annually to three students who demonstrate a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award was established by a group of graduating seniors in 1973 to honor their friend and fellow student Rusty Leffel.
JULIE NUMRICH, daughter of Bob Numrich, 5402 W. 99th St., Overland Park, and Marilyn Numrich, 8711 W. 88th St., Overland Park, will earn a bachelor's degree in communication studies. She plans to attend law school after graduation.
At KU, Numrich was active in Student Senate, her sorority, the Student Alumni Association and the Kansas Union. She also assisted students as a freshman/sophomore adviser, as peer adviser to prevent sexual assault and as an orientation assistant for new students. In the community, she volunteered to serve food to needy and homeless people, participated in several philanthropy projects and served as a high-school debate judge.
Numerich receives the Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award, presented to a graduating senior who is a member of a fraternity or sorority and who has demonstrated commitment to the local chapter, the KU Greek community, the university and the Lawrence community. The award was established in 1993 in honor of Caryl K. Smith's dedication and support of the KU Greek community during her tenure as dean of student life.
Story by Tom Hutton, University Relations, (785) 864-3256