May 24, 2005
Purdue student receives Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Maggie Kleinhenn, a senior education major from Noblesville, Ind., has been named a recipient of the 2005 Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders.
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Kleinhenn will receive her award during a June 23 luncheon at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. The award, which recognizes outstanding leaders ages 19-29 from across Indiana, includes a $1,000 prize.
Bridget Williams Golden, assistant dean of students at Purdue, was among those who nominated Kleinhenn for the award.
"Maggie's leadership has had a tremendous impact on Purdue and the surrounding community," Golden said. "Maggie has done much more than just serve as an ambassador for Purdue. She really does represent the best and brightest of Indiana."
Kleinhenn will be recognized for her excellence in education and other activities at Purdue, as well as for her efforts as a volunteer.
Kleinhenn, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, has been instrumental in the development of several cancer-related projects.
She created and oversaw the 2004 and 2005 Cancer Benefit Concert at Purdue, which raised money for research and an endowed scholarship through the Purdue Cancer Center. Kleinhenn also has served as a board member for Ovar'Coming Together, a non-profit ovarian cancer education and research organization that works closely with the medical community and other cancer-related organizations.
Additionally, Kleinhenn has volunteered her services to the Women Against Domestic Violence Campaign, the YWCA's women's shelter and Camp Healing Tree, which is a summer camp for children who have lost a parent to cancer.
"Helping others is something about which I have always been passionate," said Kleinhenn, who will donate her award winnings to the Purdue Cancer Center. "The look on a person's face when his or her life has been touched by the help of others is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have."
At Purdue, Kleinhenn is a member of the Purdue Student Education Association, the Kappa Delta Pi education honorary, the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and the Purduettes.
The Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders was created in 2003 by the Indiana Humanities Council and is part of the annual Indiana Leadership Summit. The award was created to recognize young leaders who have distinguished themselves in business, education, government and community service. A total of 12 young leaders were presented with the award this year.
Kleinhenn is the second Purdue student in as many years to win the Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders. Last year, 2004 graduate Stephanie Warner, of South Whitley, Ind., was one of 10 honorees.
"Considering all the fine young leaders who are eligible for this award, it is very unusual for a student to receive this honor," Golden said. "It is truly remarkable that Purdue students have won the award two years in a row."
The Indiana Leadership Summit is scheduled to take place June 21-23 at various locations in Indianapolis.
Writer: Aaron Martin, (765) 496-3133, martinac@purdue.edu
Sources: Bridget Williams Golden, (765) 494-1232, bwgolden@purdue.edu
Maggie Kleinhenn, mkleinhe@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue senior Maggie Kleinhenn, at center, rehearses with the Purduettes. She recently was named as a recipient of the 2005 Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders. Kleinhenn will receive her award, which has recognized outstanding young leaders throughout Indiana since 2003, will be presented at a June 23 luncheon in Indianapolis. (Purdue News Service file photo/Dave Umberger)
A publication-quality file photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2005/purduettes-cancer.jpg
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