Students Sarah Elizabeth Neeley of Quincy, Ind., and Morgan James of Clifton, Ill., have been honored for their accomplishments at Indiana State University.
Neeley, a human resource development major, has been selected for the Daniel J. Bradley Medal for Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. The award is one of the highest honors given at Indiana State and is named after Dan Bradley, the university's 11th president, 2009-2018.
The medal is presented to a Sycamore who represents all three aspects of leadership, scholarship and service, and is graduating with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The service component is representative of the student being highly involved with volunteering and experiential learning at the university or in a community. The recipient has served in multiple capacities of long-term leadership roles during her time at Indiana State.
"Winning the Daniel J. Bradley Medal Award is such an honor, because President Bradley is someone I truly admire and respect and made such an impact on Indiana State University," Neeley said. "When I came to college, I had aspirations of gaining more than just an education, and receiving this award demonstrates I made an impact and am leaving a legacy on the campus."
James, a human resources development major, has been selected to receive the Hines Memorial Medal. The award is presented to students who entered Indiana State as first-time college freshman and are graduating with the highest cumulative grade point average during their pursuit of a bachelor's degree. It is named after Linnaeus Hines, who was the university's fourth president, 1921-1933, and served two terms as Indiana superintendent of public instruction.
"Winning the Hines Memorial Medal helps prove to myself that hard work pays off. My family, friends, faculty and staff have provided so much support and made many sacrifices to help me achieve this honor," James said.
As an incoming freshman, James was selected to receive the prestigious President's Scholarship, which pays for in-state tuition and housing for four years. She is a senior in the Honors College.
"I chose Indiana State University because the campus is beautiful and feels like home," James said. "Through my studies and participation in Honors College and Student Government Association, I met many wonderful faculty and staff who had a huge impact on me. I don't think I can point to just one that stood out above the others -- they were all great and truly wanted me to succeed."
Neeley is a senior in the Honors College minoring in nonprofit leadership. She also works as an intern for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
"I chose Indiana State University because of my mom. She took classes when I was younger, and I have vivid memories of running through the fountain or wandering the aisles of the Cunningham Memorial Library," Neeley said. "Indiana State has always been a part of my life, and when I stepped on campus as an actual student, it felt like a second home."
Neeley's favorite memory during her time on campus was participating in the inaugural Give to Blue Day. Nearly 1,700 donors -- from Terre Haute to Australia -- contributed more than $430,000, making it the largest single-day fundraiser in the university's history. A total of 252 students contributed to the 24-hour fund drive.
"It was an amazing chance for me to meet people I had never met before and give back to a university that has given me so much," Neeley said.
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Photos: https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zSGmxLQ/0/X4/i-zSGmxLQ-X4.jpg -- Sarah Elizabeth Neeley of Quincy, Ind., is a human resource development major at Indiana State University.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-F2FrwD8/2/X4/i-F2FrwD8-X4.jpg -- Morgan James of Clifton, Ill., is a human resources development major at Indiana State University.
Media contact: Mark Alesia, director of university communication
(O) 812-237-3837
(C) 812-229-8020
mark.alesia@indstate.edu
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