The 2023 Elvis J. Stahr Award Winners

Successor to Herman B Wells, Elvis Jacob Stahr Jr. was inaugurated as president of Indiana University on November 19, 1962. Dr. Stahr arrived at IU with an already extensive resume, having been a Rhodes Scholar, a practicing attorney, provost of the University of Kentucky and University of Pittsburgh, president of West Virginia University, and Secretary of the Army under John F. Kennedy. In 1966, the prestigious Elvis J. Stahr Awards were established in Dr. Stahr’s namesake to honor IU seniors that have excelled academically while serving as active campus and community leaders.

For 2023, we would like to honor Wisdom Ibikunle, Mary Kiarie, Neliya Nyirenda, Sarah Grosse Perdekampe, Kaitlin Scott, and Christina Yang with the Elvis J. Stahr Award to honor all of their achievements on the IU Bloomington campus and service efforts within the Hoosier Community.

Award Winners:

Wisdom Ibikunle
Mary Kiarie
Neliya Nyirenda
Sarah Grosse Perdekampe
Kaitlin Scott
Christina Yang

  Wisdom Ibikunle

Wisdom Ibikunle is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. 

Wisdom served as Co-President of U Bring Change 2 Mind, an organization dedicated to to eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness on college campuses. She also led the Green Bandana Project, a program designed to spread awareness of resources for college students living with a mental illness or a personal mental health crisis; through her work, she’s distributed over 1,000 bandanas across campus.  As an undergraduate researcher for the Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society, Wisdom has presented her research at two conferences, where she studied how students of color perceive mental health services.  She is member of the Board of Aeons, a Hoosier Scholar Ambassador, and serves on the College of Arts and Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Advisory and Action Committee. 

Acknowledgements

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Wisdom said: 

I would like to thank God for allowing me to continuously grow and learn, and thank my family and friends for supporting my academic goals and providing a listening ear during times of stress and success. I would also like to thank Dr. Tennisha Riley, Prof. Hall Bjornstad, Dr. Cathrine Reck, Dr. Bernice Pescosolido, and Mimi Attenoukon for their mentorship and encouragement throughout my college career.  

  Mary Kiarie

Mary Kiarie is graduating from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. 

Mary Kiarie is a 2019 Groups Scholar, a 21st Century Scholar, and a Hudson and Holland Scholar. She has consecutively made the Dean’s Lists for Indiana University and O’Neill respectively, has been a four-time Founders Scholar, and was awarded the IU Student Government’s Parker Powell Award. She also received the highest cumulative GPA for AAADS Minors, the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AAADS) Dean’s List Recognition Award, and the Joe Russell Leadership Award. 

As a Faculty and Staff for Excellence Peer Mentor for the last 3 years, Mary has provided support and motivation to first-year undergraduate students by directing them to existing resources offered on and off campus. She is currently serving as the President of the African Students’ Association, and works as a Programming and Events Intern for the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce through the Indiana Leadership Program (coordinated by the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs).Mary has also done various forms of volunteer work for the Groups Scholar Program.

Acknowledgements

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Mary said: 

First and foremost, I would like to thank both of my parents for making the ultimate sacrifice that allowed me to further my education at Indiana University. I would also like to thank Miriam Attenoukon for recognizing my leadership roles and nominating me for the Senior Recognition Awards. Lastly, I would like to thank my professors, who have ensured that I reach my greatest potential – academically and professionally. 

  Neliya Nyirenda

Neliya Nyirenda is graduating from the Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in Operations Management, and a co-major in International Business and Law. 

As a member of the Academic Affairs committee within the IU Student Government and two-year member of the Board of Aeons where the latter year she served as Vice President, Neliya’s leadership on campus has been dedicated to student advocacy.  She was also heavily involved in the Kelley School of Business as a member of the Phi Gamma Nu business fraternity, and in numerous initiative within the Kelley School’s Office of Diversity Initiatives. 

Acknowledgements

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Neliya said: 

I want to thank my family and all of my friends for supporting me through everything and believing in me when I did not even believe in myself. Thank you to the entire Kelley Office of Diversity Initiatives for being my biggest cheerleaders and giving me the platform to do such important work. 

  Sarah Grosse Perdekamp

Sarah Grosse Perdekamp is graduating from the Jacobs School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  

As a student representative committee co-chair for the Jacobs School of Music Diversity and Equity Committee, she worked to address all matters pertaining to making the academic, professional, and social climate within the Jacobs School of Music welcoming and accessible to everyone in the Jacobs family.  She also served as a member of the Environmental Affairs Committee and a Congressional Representative for the IU Student Government, where she passed several pieces of legislation regarding environmental topics, and met with administrators to advocate for IU’s systematic investment in environmental sustainability. Sarah also served on the Board of Aeons.

Acknowledgements

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Sarah said: 

I’d like to especially thank Dr. Horne for nominating me for this award and for his continued support through my academic career here at Indiana University. Thank you to Professor Isaac and Dr. Lucy LePeau for always challenging me to be a better student and student advocate. And, of course, thank you to my parents, who have always been an important part of my journey. 

  Kaitlin Scott

Kaitlin Scott is graduating with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures and International Law and Institutions, both from the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies (HLS).  

Kaitlin’s dedication to her studies has resulted in her receiving highest distinction within the College of Arts and Sciences, departmental honors recognition from HLS, and the Hutton Honors Notation. She was placed on the College of Arts & Sciences Executive Dean’s List for seven consecutive semesters, and she is a three-time IU Founders Scholar. She was also recently awarded the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures’ Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. Kaitlin has been a member of the international studies honors society, Sigma Iota Rho, since her junior year. For all four years of her undergraduate career, she received the Provost Scholarship, the Hutton Honors College Scholarship, and Shreve Scholarship. 

Kaitlin served in the Congressional and Executive Branches of IU Student Government and received an award for her dedication in these roles. Within the School of International Studies, Kaitlin was a member of the Global Student 7 (the student advisory board to HLS’s Dean Nick Cullather), Liberty in North Korea at IU (a non-profit organization that ensures refugees safe and free passage through China), and the Arabic Flagship Program. Additionally, Kaitlin has been involved with the IU Student Alumni Association and the Hutton Honors College, was nominated to the IU Homecoming Court, and has volunteered in the community with Honors Bloomington Outreach.

Acknowledgements

When reflecting on those that have impacted her most during her time at IU, Kaitlin said: 

Each person I have met at Indiana University has taught me something unique, and I am deeply appreciative of the connections I have made. To Professor Steve Raymer, thank you for your mentorship and insights; to Sarah DeWeese, thank you for creating opportunities for me; to Eryn Wisler, thank you for your positive energy and believing in me. I would also like to thank my parents, siblings, and close friends for their continued and emotional support. 

  Christina Yang

Christina Yang is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with Bachelors of Arts degrees in History and Management and Human Organization. 

Christina has served as a member of the Board of Aeons for two years, and currently serves as President.  Previously, she has served as a co-captain and treasurer for IU Mock Trial and a residential community leader for the Hutton Honors College. After receiving multiple on-campus research awards from the Center for Research on Race and Ethnicity in Society, the College Arts and Humanities Institute, and the Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities, Christina completed her honors thesis about selective state surveillance on Asian American women and their reproductive decisions. In her free time, Christina dances with the Di:Verse Dance Crew and volunteers as a kids’ teacher and youth leader at City Church. 

Acknowledgements