Indiana State University Newsroom

A hometown student who demonstrated an extensive commitment to campus and community service during her time as an Indiana State University student is the 2011 recipient of the university's President's Medal for Leadership, Scholarship and Service.

The university will recognize Taylor Schaffer of Terre Haute as this year's President's Medal recipient during spring commencement on May 7.

Schaffer, who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in communication, plans to pursue a career in public relations. She is a former Miss Indiana State University and a 2011 Indianapolis 500 Festival princess. Schaffer has served as director of governmental affairs for the Student Government Association and an opinion columnist and editorial writer for the Indiana Statesman student newspaper.

She was also chairperson of special events for the ISU Dance Marathon, Sycamore Ambassadors recruitment chair, student representative and Fall Welcome Convocation speaker for New Student Orientation, a Sparkette team officer and co-captain and was student chairperson on the Student Recreation Center Steering Committee.

Her community activities while at Indiana State have included the 14th and Chestnut Community Center, Special Olympics Indiana and serving as a teacher for A+ All Star Productions/School of the Dance.

Schaffer's honors have included the Hoosier Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Public Relations Campaign from the Public Relations Society of America, Otis J. Aggertt Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Communications, Indiana Chamber of Commerce INTERNnet Intern of the Year nominee, Hoosier Leadership Award, Outstanding Junior Leadership Award and Eli Lilly Focus Indiana Scholarship.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miss-ISU-Taylor-Schaffer/schaffertaylor/660434141_HWrxc-L.jpg 

Media contact: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu