Senior Achievement Award
In 1957, Robert D. York was the first recipient of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association “Senior Achievement Award.” The award has been presented annually since then.
Robert York receives his award from Dean V.C. Freeman (R) and Dean Pfendler in 1957.
The award was initially established to recognize a graduating senior who excelled above all others in scholastic work, extra-curricular activities and general attitude.
While the Senior Achievement Award has been presented for more than 60 years, it is not the college’s first “outstanding senior” recognition program. In the early 1900s, the Agricultural Faculty at its meetings discussed and selected a senior to represent the school to give an address at the annual university commencement.
Senior Achievement Award Recipients 1957-2018
YEAR NAME HOME TOWN
1957 York, Robert Dale Worthington
1958 Harmon, Buddy Gene Camden
1959 Spuller, Robert Luckey Rushville
1960 Feltner, Richard Lee New Ross
1961 Phillips, Ronald Lewis Crawfordsville
1962 Beck, Lawrence C. Atlanta
1963 Agness, Jay Byron Bunker Hill
1964 Green, John Robert Versailles
1965 Akers, Stephen Jay Greencastle
1966 Hobson, John Sylvester Russiaville
1967 Ackerson, Nels John Westfield
1968 Brown, Stephen Dale Frankfort
1969 Berkheiser, Vaughn Elwood Argos
1970 Watson, Annetta Paule Jeffersonville
1971 Irvin, Keith Merrill New Castle
1972 Juday, Glenn Patrick West Lafayette
1973 Rodibaugh, David Charles Rensselaer
1974 Matzat, Eugene Allen North Judson
1975 Bechman, Thomas Jeffrey Greenwood
1976 Chess, Nancy Dinsmore New Concord, OH
1977 Purschwitz, Mark Alan West Lafayette
1978 Edmondson, Michael Bray Clayton
1979 Lute, Mark Alan Plymouth
1980 Ashlock, Melissa Ann Godfrey, IL
1981 Stewart, James Gllman Greensburg
1982 Odle, Jack Rensselaer
1983 Thieme, Ronald H. Noblesville
1984 Eikenberry, Kevin Leon Scottville, MI
1985 Boring, Rebecca Ann New Palestine
1986 Bishop, Steven Duane Orleans
1987 Everett, Doug Allen Lebanon
1988 Halderman, F. Howard Wabash
1989 Wuethrich, Jr., Chris Lee Francesville
1990 Stump, Scott Alan Lagrange
1991 Halderman, Richard Robert Wabash
1992 Overpeck, Nikki Lyn Clinton
1993 Ripberger, Todd Jason Tipton
1994 Hefty, Lisa Marie Auburn
1995 Bishop, James Daniel Leesburg
1996 Weaver, Robert Vance Crawfordsville
1997 Ripberger, Chad Edward Tipton
1998 Harris, Sarina Grace Selma
1999 Hefty, David Wayne Auburn
2000 Jacobus, Luke Murray Columbus
2001 Merrill, Joshua Matthew Thorntown
2002 Day, Anna Carol Noblesville
2003 Pence, Sarah Elizabeth Hope
2004 Maxwell, Leah Beth Francesville
2005 Retzner, Nicole Lea New Palestine
2006 Janovitz, Tyler Williamson Cranbury, NJ
2007 Cumberbatch, Rachel Nicole Lebanon
2008 Potts, Dustin Willam Newburgh
2009 Velasquez, Christina Ann Dyer
2010 Kischuk, Erin Michelle Muncie
2011 Steiner, Jamie Louise Berne
2012 Moore, Betheny Karissa Centerville
2013 Rangel, Gabriel William Indianapolis
2014 Martin, Travis James Logansport
2015 Erickson, Emily C. Clarks Hill
2016 Correll, Sarah K. Macy
2017 Mann, Cameron S. Cloverdale
2018 Rodriguez, Abdias Greeley, CO