University Residences, Dining & Culinary Students Recognized for Accomplishments

University Residences and Dining & Culinary annually present awards that celebrate accomplishments and dedication to leadership and service beyond the classroom. These awards recognize individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the Purdue community through their involvement in student organizations, student employment, community service and learning. In spite of the unprecedented challenges faced over the last year, this year’s honorees have gone above and beyond to represent the best of the Boilermaker community. 

Rachelle Miles

The Robert L. Paige Outstanding Leader Award recognizes the importance of the contributions of an outstanding University Residences club president or governor to the residence hall community. During the course of her time in University Residences, Rachelle Miles served as the president of Windsor Hall Club, administrative director of Owen Hall’s Hussar Club and governess of Wood Hall. Miles is a member of the Pre-Vet Medical Association and the Purdue Filipino Association. She has also served as a student assistant in Purdue’s College of Agriculture and as an animal care specialist at Pet Care Clinic in Kokomo, Indiana. She is a native of Kokomo and is pursuing an animal sciences, pre-veterinary course of study.

Vincent Ekwealor

Vincent Ekwealor was awarded the Lanny C. Wilson Scholarship, which was established to recognize the contributions of Lanny Wilson, former director of administration for University Residences, for his many years of service to Purdue students. Ekwealor became an undergraduate researcher and worked with a faculty mentor through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. As a member of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, he connected with established pharmacists to begin preparing for success in the field. Ekwealor is also part of Pediatric Pharmacy Education Done by Students, where he works with children in various settings. A native of Richmond, Indiana, Ekwealor is pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy. The Lanny C. Wilson Scholarship is awarded to a student in University Residences who has achieved distinction in leadership while also employed in a student staff position. Ekwealor serves as a resident assistant in Wiley Hall.

Claire Mouser

Claire Mouser, a resident assistant in Windsor Halls, received the William I. Bennett Courtier Achievement Scholarship, which was established to preserve the spirit of the Courtiers of Fowler Courts and to recognize William I. Bennett for his years of service to Fowler Courts. The scholarship is awarded to an individual who has excelled in academics, exemplified their hall spirit and contributed to their residence hall community. Mouser is the women’s captain of the Purdue Triathlon Club and has been the swimming race coordinator for the club for the past two and a half years. She served as treasurer for Purdue MEDLIFE and is a member of the Purdue Nutrition Society. Mouser also volunteers at the Almost Home Humane Society and with Tippecanoe County Court Appointed Special Advocate as a child advocate. As a resident assistant, Mouser served on the Windsor Halls’ social committee. She was previously a RA in Owen Hall. Mouser hails from Indianapolis and is studying nutrition and dietetics. 

Kendall Green

The William “Bill” Rumple Residential Dining Head Captain Award was established in recognition of William and Tim Rumple, both of whom provided outstanding service to University Residences dining services as former head waiters at Fowler Courts and Cary Quadrangle. The award recognizes a student manager or student coordinator in residential dining services who has achieved distinction in leadership while employed. Kendall Green was named as the recipient of this year’s award. She served as the student manager at Dining & Culinary’s On-The-GO! Location in Lawson Computer Science Building. She previously served as the student supervisor in Villa Italian Kitchen in the Purdue Memorial Union prior to the closing of PMU dining locations for renovation, and held internships with Conagra Brands and Morgan Foods. She was also a member of the Food Science Club and the scholarship coordinator for Phi Beta Chi Sorority. Green is from Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated in May with a food science degree, including a minor in fermentation.

Alexandria Avery

Alexandria Avery was selected as the winner of the Sarah Johnson Outstanding Student Employee of the Year, which is selected based on reliability, quality of work, teamwork and contributions to Dining & Culinary. The award recognizes the many contributions of Sarah Johnson, former director of residential dining for University Residences, who dedicated 37 years of service to Purdue students and the National Association for Colleges and University Food Services. Avery served as the student manager in Windsor Dining Court, a position she has held since August 2019. Avery also served as a JumpStart Mentor in 2018, was part of Nursing Christian Fellowship and traveled to build a house in Nicaragua as part of Habitat for Humanity. She is pursuing a nursing degree and is from Lexington, Ohio.

Writer: Matt Vader | Editors: Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic, Danielle Fawbush

Editorial Board: Barb Frazee, Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic | Inquiries Contact: studentlifemarketing@purdue.edu

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