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Twelve agriculture students named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

Twelve student-athletes from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture were named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars for their academic excellence during the 2020-21 school year. In total, 85 Boilermakers earned the honor, setting a record for the university. 

To qualify, awardees must achieve a grade-point average of 3.70 or better during the school year. 

Hayley Bush, Cassidy Hardin and Ethan Smiley earned the award for the second time in 2021. Taylor Mortensen and Tessa Sheets are three-time recipients.

Hayley Bush

Hayley Bush

Agricultural Economics

Union, Kentucky

Volleyball

Emma Ellis

Emma Ellis

Animal Sciences

Charlotte, North Carolina

Volleyball

Brooks Royal

Brooks Royal

Agricultural & Biological Engineering

Fitzgerald, Georgia

Football 

Ethan Smiley

Ethan Smiley

Botany and Plant Pathology

Beech Grove, Indiana

Wrestling

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Cassidy Hardin

Biochemistry

Bargersville, Indiana

Basketball 

Megan Casey

Megan Casey

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Mason, Ohio

Track and Field

Emma Tate

Emma Tate

Botany and Plant Pathology

West Lafayette, Indiana

Track and Field

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Taylor Mortensen

Animal Sciences

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Track and Field 

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Emma Keesling

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Modoc, Indiana

Track and Field 

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Tessa Sheets

Animal Sciences

Chatham County, North Carolina

Track and Field

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Jackson Smeltz

Agricultural Economics

Lafayette, Indiana

Baseball 

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Kasey Wilhoit

Agronomy

Franklin, Indiana

Softball

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