Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University will recognize two graduating seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service during winter commencement ceremonies.

Melanie Trammell of Greensburg received the Hines Medal, which goes to students with the highest cumulative grade point average during the pursuit of a bachelor's degree.

Jacqueline Dan of Mishawaka received the President's Medal for Leadership, Scholarship and Service.

Trammell is graduating with a degree in elementary education and minors in English and reading. She was a Blue Team leader, a teacher's assistant and was involved with the Student Government Association, serving as executive assistant to the chief of staff. She earned the President's Academic Excellence Scholarship, was a Bayh College of Education High Honor Collegiate Scholar, a finalist for the Alan C. Rankin Distinguished Senior Award and was inducted into the Hermes Honor Society through Alpha Sigma Alpha. Her community activities included volunteering at the Lighthouse Mission, Jane Addams Hull House service learning experience, Donaghy Day and Big Brothers Big Sisters lunch program.

Trammell is the daughter of Jeff and Stefanie Trammell and Shelley Knoll and is a graduate of Greensburg Community High School. She plans on traveling and exploring her options in Australia before returning to Indiana where she wants to eventually settle down with a teaching position.

"It is a joy and a blessing to have reached this level of achievement," Trammell said. "I'm completely honored and humbled to receive such a prestigious award. Always strive to succeed at a level above and beyond expectations and goals no matter where you stand on the grading spectrum."

The Hines Medal is named for Linnaeus Hines, who served as Indiana State's fourth president from 1921 to 1933.

Dan is graduating with a bachelor's degree in special and elementary education. While at Indiana State, she received the Judy Connor Award, Outstanding First Year Member, First Year Member Award, Second Year Member Award, Third Year Member Award and Outstanding Campus Partner Award. She was involved in the Hulman Memorial Student Union Board and Hines Hall L.E.A.F. committee. Her community activities included Jam the Bus and Up ‘Till Dawn.

"It is surreal that I have won the President's Medal," Dan said. "It truly is an honor to be recognized for my hard work while at Indiana State University. Students need to remember to breathe. College goes by fast, so spend your time bettering yourself and those around you."

Dan's parents are Yon Dan of Mishawaka and Timothy Dan of Lombard, Ill. She graduated from Penn High School. She intends to enter the work-force as an elementary or special education high school teacher for a few years before applying to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in student affairs and higher education.

Indiana State's Winter Commencement is scheduled for noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at Hulman Center. Admission is free and no tickets are needed. Commencement will also be streamed live at www.indstate.edu.

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Winter-Commencement-2013/i-C9fLSKg/1/XL/melanie_photo-XL.jpg - Melanie Trammel

Photo: http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Winter-Commencement-2013/i-9GmbGKQ/0/XL/November%2014%2C%202013%20Jackie%20Dan%207437-XL.jpg - Jacqueline Dan

Writer: Dustyn Fatheree, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, 812-237-3773 or dfatheree@sycamores.indstate.edu