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College of Agriculture seniors Amir Faghih and Tanya Hadley received the top two student awards presented by Purdue University. It's the first time both winners have come from the same college. Faghih received the G.A. Ross Award, and Hadley won the Flora Roberts Award.
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(Photo by Tom Campbell) |
“I'm not surprised that both students come from the College of Agriculture,” says Dale Whittaker, associate dean and director of academic programs. “In addition to the chance to learn from outstanding faculty, we provide our students many opportunities to stretch their skills.” Award recipients are selected by a panel of student leaders and are chosen based on scholarship, leadership and service.
Growing up just 23 miles from each other near Fort Wayne, Ind., Faghih, of Huntertown, Ind., and Hadley, of Woodburn, Ind., knew each other long before they became Purdue Agriculture students. “I feel like we've known each other forever,” says Faghih, who earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education.
“We used to compete against each other in 4-H and FFA,” says Hadley, who received her bachelor's degree in agribusiness management. “We've been good friends since way back in high school.”
Hadley, a David C. Pfendler Scholar, was a member of Purdue's 2005 National Agri-Marketing Association team, which won a national championship. She was selected the top agricultural ambassador in Purdue Agriculture and is a member of Glenwood Cooperative. Hadley has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, the YWCA Women's Shelter, Hurricane Katrina relief and Green Tree Assisted Living, among others.
Also a David C. Pfendler Scholar, Faghih was a member of the Purdue rugby team and was named outstanding student in agriculture following his freshman, sophomore and junior years. A member of Farmhouse fraternity, Faghih volunteered at the Women's Shelter and taught agriculture as a student teacher at Eastern Hancock High School in Charlottesville, Ind.
Hadley's and Faghih's bond as friends was galvanized in 2001, when both took a year off from school to serve as state FFA officers.
"The bond we forged as state FFA officers is pretty unique,” Hadley says. “We were friends to begin with, but with that year we spent as FFA officers, traveling the state of Indiana and meeting with so many other FFA members, we grew to be very close friends.”
The friendship is about to be tested—geographically, at least. Faghih has taken a sales position with Dow Agro-Sciences and will service territories in Montana and North Dakota. After serving as Indianapolis 500 princess during May, Hadley began a sales training program with Hormel Foods in Boston. Upon completion, she will relocate to an as-yet-unknown sales territory.
"I'm sure we'll stay in touch,” Hadley says. “We've been friends way too long not to keep up with each other.”
With the exception of World War II, the Roberts Award has been given every year since 1929 to the top female senior. The Ross Award has been given every year since 1959 to the top male senior. The awards' criteria were altered this year to honor the top two students, regardless of gender, according to Betsy Smithka of the dean of students office.
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