Kate Hevner Mueller served Indiana University from 1937 to 1969 as Dean of Women, Senior Counselor for Women, and Professor of Education. Dr. Mueller was a national pioneer for women professionals and developed the Master’s Program in College Student Personnel (Higher Education and Student Affairs) at Indiana University in the early 1950s. The Kate Hevner Mueller Senior Awards were established in 2013 to honor IU seniors who have proven leadership on campus both inside and outside of the classroom and who have improved the IU community through their presence.
This year, Indiana University selected 26 outstanding recipients for the Kate Hevner Mueller Outstanding Senior Award. In this article, we’re congratulating Olivia Childress, Kaylyn Cooper, Chloe Eades, Esther Faniyan, and Laurie Frederickson for their ability to represent Dr. Mueller’s essential goals of the university: to promote intellect, develop personality, and inspire citizenship and leadership to all students.
Olivia Childress
Olivia Childress has demonstrated a strong commitment to creativity, community, and student engagement through her leadership in the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Group at Indiana University. Since her freshman year, she has held several roles within the organization, including underclassman representative, membership coordinator, social media manager, vice president, and now president for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Under her leadership, AIGA has hosted a variety of free design and craft workshops open to all IU students, covering topics such as letterpress printing techniques and introductory skills in Adobe design software. Olivia’s work has helped build an inclusive creative space that encourages artistic exploration and skill-building across campus.
Acknowledgements: “Thank you to my family and friends for supporting my passions and sticking through the long studio hours. Thank you also to faculty member Alexander for the constant opportunities to push my work and better myself as an artist, student, and member of this community.”
Kaylyn Cooper
Kaylyn Cooper has demonstrated excellence in leadership, service, and academic engagement throughout her time at Indiana University. She serves as the President and Team Captain of the Undergraduate Moot Court Program. Under her leadership, the team reached the semifinal round of the 2023 regional tournament, where Kaylyn was recognized as a top orator, before advancing to represent IU at the national competition.
Kaylyn is also deeply involved in serving the Bloomington community, preparing tax returns for low-income residents through the VITA Tax Clinic. As a member of 1Kelly Consulting, she contributed to the successful launch of a women-owned start-up in Bloomington. She serves as a Lead Teaching Assistant in the Department of Business Law and Ethics and is actively involved in Kelley Guides and Cru at IU.
Acknowledgements: “I am deeply grateful to my wonderful mother for being my biggest supporter and greatest inspiration, to the Kelley Scholars Program for believing in me and investing in my education, and to my faculty mentors—Stephanie Moore, Lane McFadden, and Anna Deeds—for their invaluable guidance and support. Above all, I thank God for His faithfulness and steadfast love.”
Chloe Eades
Beyond her involvement with cycling, Chloe has demonstrated a strong commitment to service. She has volunteered with Hutton Honors Bloomington Outreach, mentored elementary students, and currently serves at Friend’s Place Overnight Shelter. Passionate about research, she works as a research assistant in the MAPD Lab and is completing an honors thesis under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandra Moussa-Tooks.
Acknowledgements: “To my esteemed professors, mentors, classmates, and colleagues, I extend my deepest gratitude for shaping my undergraduate journey at Indiana University. Your guidance and support have been invaluable, and I would not be the student or the person I am today without you.”
Esther Faniyan
Esther Faniyan is the President of the African Students Association at Indiana University, a role she has earned through years of dedicated involvement since her freshman year. In this position, she has worked to celebrate African culture, build community, and create a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds.
She also serves on the IU Dean of Students Advisory Council, where she provides valuable input on student concerns and university policies. Through her leadership, Esther is committed to advocacy, inclusivity, and creating meaningful opportunities that empower and uplift her peers.
Acknowledgements: “First and foremost, I thank God for guiding my steps and granting me strength. I am also incredibly grateful to my family, friends, mentors, and the IU community for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my journey. Your encouragement, wisdom, and belief in me have been instrumental in my growth and success, and I truly couldn’t have done any of it without you all!”
Laurie Frederickson
Laurie Frederickson has made a lasting impact on the Indiana University community through her three years of service on the Indiana Memorial Union Board. As part of the IMU’s student programming and governing body, she helped plan events that fostered community and advocated for student voices, shaping campus life in meaningful ways.
Beyond Union Board, Laurie embraced a wide range of experiences that connected her to both IU and the broader Bloomington community. She has performed stand-up comedy, mentored incarcerated youth, served as a teaching assistant, DJ’d a radio show, and reported on local government news for community radio. These experiences helped her find a sense of home and belonging throughout her four years at IU.
Acknowledgements: “Thank you to the faculty, staff, and alumni who supported Union Board and shaped me into becoming both a stronger leader and person, as well as the criminal justice faculty and advisors who helped me grow as a student and discover my passions. Thank you also to my friends who have stood by my side through it all—the highs, lows, and everything in between—thank you for making college the best four years of my life.”
