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Attorney and farmer Francis
Lueken says his master's degree in Extension education is put
to good use in his role a chairman of the state baord of trustees
for Ivy Tech State College. Photo by Tom Campbell
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"I picked up Lou Ann and spun her around in the air several times,"
remembers Lueken. "I just couldn't believe it."
Fortunately, the show of youthful exuberance occurred after Mass had
concluded.
The G.A. Ross Award has been presented annually to Purdue's outstanding
male senior since 1959. Of the 44 winners, 18 are graduates of the School
of Agriculture. While it is doubtful any of the other 17 winners reacted
to the news with Lueken's exuberance, each calls the award the highlight
of their academic career.
The fact that College of Agriculture graduates have won almost half
of the Ross Awards is, in a word, amazing. The school represents just
7.3 percent of Purdue's male student enrollment, according to Brian
Fishman, research analyst in Purdue's Office of the Registrar.
"That really is amazing, when you think about it," says Todd
Ripberger, the 1993 Ross Award winner. "More so when you consider
all of the great students Purdue has all over campus."
There may be as many different ways to explain the College of Agriculture's
dominance as there are Ross Award winners.
Some cite participation in 4-H and FFA, youth organizations that fostered
leadership skills they carried throughout their college careers.
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