Indiana State University Newsroom

NOTE: A full description of each scholarship (President's, Networks and Gongaware) appears at the end of the release.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State University's College of Business recognized leadership and learning from among the university’s top scholars at its recent year-end celebration. As part of the event, the accomplishments of President’s, Networks and Gongaware scholars were celebrated. This was the first year that awards were presented as part of the program.

In addition to academic awards for the highest grade point average in each class, awards also were presented for leadership at each level (freshman through junior) and an overall award for leadership was presented (Outstanding Leader of the Year Award).

Below are the students who received honors and awards during the ceremony:

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CRITERIA: Outstanding Leader of the Year Award - Awarded to the scholar(s) who has gone beyond the call of duty over an extended period of time. The ideas, vision, and hard work of this scholar has achieved significant tangible benefits within the scholars program. This person has shown a long-term repeated demonstration of leadership over the year and has truly proven to be outstanding among peers and colleagues. The scholar(s) for this award will be chosen from the recipients of the Leadership Award.

Danielle Thompson Outstanding Leadership Award Insurance and risk management and business administration major Terre Haute This award specifically recognizes Danielle's leadership contribution related to the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility conference, where she acted as co-chair. Her team leadership, communication, problem solving, time management and planning skills combined with her sincerity, compassion, diligence and enthusiasm have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

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CRITERIA: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior-Leadership Award -- presented to the person(s) in each class who has demonstrated a strong leadership role during a specific project or a strong leadership role as part of a team. This leadership could have been demonstrated inside or outside the scholar program.

Ashley Cameron Junior Leadership Award Finance major; insurance and risk management minor Rushville This award specifically recognizes Ashley's leadership contribution related to the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility conference, where she acted as co-chair. Her communication, time management, team leadership, and problem solving skills combined with her dependability, thoughtfulness and cheerful disposition have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Michael Haseley Junior Leadership Award Insurance major Argos This award specifically recognizes Michael's leadership contribution to the scholar recruitment process and to the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility conference, where he served as a member of the executive board. His team work, technical and computer expertise, time management and planning skills combined with his work ethic, willingness to help others and diligence have brought significant recognition to himself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

April Huey Junior Leadership Award Accounting and Finance major Scottsburg This award specifically recognizes April's leadership contribution to the scholar recruitment process and to the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility conference, where she served as a member of the executive board. Her time management and decision-making skills combined with her work ethic, thoroughness and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Jessica May Sophomore Leadership Award Business major Rockport This award specifically recognizes Jessica's leadership contribution to the Recruiting Team and the Year-End Review, where she acted as co-chair. Her communication, time management and problem solving skills combined with her resiliency, respectfulness, compassion and dependability have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Whitney Lewis Sophomore Leadership Award Management and Finance major Alexandria This award specifically recognizes Whitney's leadership contribution the Year-End Review, where she acted as co-chair. Her communication, problem solving and time management skills combined with her diplomacy and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Amber Williams Sophomore Leadership Award Accounting major Lyons This award specifically recognizes Amber's leadership contribution to the Year-End Review, where she acted as co-chair. Her communication, problem solving and time management skills combined with her dependability, thoroughness and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Dave Santelik Sophomore Leadership Award Accounting major Crown Point This award specifically recognizes Dave's leadership contribution related to the Industry Speaker Team. His time management and communication skills combined with his positive attitude, work ethic and team orientation have brought significant recognition to himself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Racheal Titus Freshman Leadership Award Accounting major Toledo, Ill. This award specifically recognizes Racheal's leadership contribution to the Industry Speaker Team where she was instrumental in bringing in speakers and creating publicity for these events. Her communication and problem solving skills combined with her energy, hard work, creativity and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Robin Bishop Freshman Leadership Award Accounting major Petersburg This award specifically recognizes Robin's leadership contribution to the Industry Speaker Team where she was instrumental in bringing in speakers and creating publicity for these events. Her communication, problem solving and time management skills combined with her humor, hard work and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

Betsy Bender Freshman Leadership Award Marketing major Marshall, Ill. This award specifically recognizes Betsy's leadership contribution to the scholar recruitment process. Her communication, problem solving and time management skills combined with her energy, hard work and team orientation have brought significant recognition to herself, the Networks Financial Institute, the College of Business and Indiana State University.

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CRITERIA: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior-Scholar of the Year Award -- Awarded to the top academic scholar in each class. Based on the highest cumulative GPA. Freshman Scholar of the Year Award (Highest GPA in Freshman Class): Erik Andersen, insurance major, Crown Point; Alana Bradford, operations management and analysis major, Sullivan; Casey Lock, accounting major, Chrisman, Ill. Jonathan Lough, insurance major, Fort Wayne; Karrie Pratt, management/finance major, Lawrenceburg; Aaron Rothgerber, accounting major, Dale; Racheal Titus, accounting major, Toledo, Ill.

Sophomore Scholar of the Year Award (Highest GPA in Sophomore Class) Amber Williams, accounting major, Lyons.

Junior Scholar of the Year Award (Highest GPA in Junior Class) Jocelyn Gohman, insurance major, Dana; Jacqueline Zuerner, insurance major, Terre Haute.

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SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS:

President's Scholarships: Includes full tuition, room and board, stipend for books and supplies, personal laptop computer, and renewable for seven additional semesters. For consideration, candidates must be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class or have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Selection is highly competitive and based upon both academic and personal accomplishments. An interview is required for finalists.

Networks Scholarships, College of Business: Worth $5,000 per year, includes notebook computer, and professional development account, and renewable for three additional years. Awardees will participate in a paid internship, attend leadership-development activities, have an expected international experience, and be mentored. Candidates must intend to have a career in the financial services industry. Successful candidates are expected to excel in academic preparation and leadership potential.

Gongaware Scholarships, College of Business: Valued at $7,500 per year and is renewable for three additional years. Students will participate in two paid summer internships, be assigned an industry mentor during the summer before their junior year, participate in an international experience, and be offered opportunities to develop their leadership capabilities. To be considered for the Gongaware Scholarship candidates must have a competitive grade point average, class rank, SAT/ACT, and be majoring in insurance. This scholarship is available on a competitive basis for entering college freshmen. The Gongaware Scholarship is funded by Don and Patricia Gongaware. Don Gongaware is executive vice president and chief operations officer, retired, Conseco, Inc.

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CONTACT: Livia Scott, Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University, livia.scott@isunetworks.org

WRITER: Maria Greninger, associate director, Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, (812) 237-4357 or m-greninger@indstate.edu