ESU’s Newberg seniors named

Andrea Luthi, an Emporia State University senior from Madison, Kan., majoring in chemistry, biology and Spanish, was named the Dwight & Ida Curry Newberg Outstanding Senior at the annual Newberg banquet on Monday night, while Lindsay Davis, a senior from Olpe, Kan., was named the Newberg Distinguished Senior.

Andrea Luthi (left), and Lindsay Davis, ESU's 2008 Newberg seniors

Twenty-one seniors, each with an amazing list of accomplishments and accolades, were nominated for the Newberg recognition, but it was Luthi and Davis who rose to the top. Luthi, described in a nomination letter as “one of the most brilliant” students at ESU, a “model student who has abundant natural ability and works hard as a student,” will begin the Ph.D. program in chemistry at Northwestern University in the fall.

“Wow!” Luthi said at the podium. “This is really amazing. It’s an honor to be up here to receive this award!” Luthi thanked her parents, teachers, friends and classmates, and God, for the “ability to learn and the enjoyment in doing it.”

Davis, a biology major, was equally honored. “Looking at the program, there were a lot of quality individuals, so I feel honored,” she said later. Davis will begin a Wichita State University master’s program at the end of May to become a physician’s assistant.

Full biographies for Luthi and Davis are below, followed by a list of the 19 other nominees. Reading off the accolades of the 21 nominees left Dr. Jim Williams, vice president of strategic partnerships and student life, a bit breathless. “I certainly feel that our future is secure,” he said, “seeing all the knowledge in this room.”

Andrea Luthi Campus Involvement ESU Spanish Club American Chemical Society Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic American Leadership Organization Beta Beta Beta Phi Kappa Phi Phi Eta Sigma Community Involvement Apostolic Christian Church, participates in various activities such as singing in nursing homes and helping people with disabilities in the community.  Honors and Awards Presidential Academic Awards Outstanding Student in Biology ESU Shepherd Scholar Analytical Chemistry Award Physical Chemistry Award Sigma Delta Pi Study Abroad Scholarship

Lindsay Davis Campus Involvement Caduceus Society Biology Club Beta Beta Beta Community Involvement American Red Cross blood drives Abundant Harvest Food Kitchen St. Joseph’s school and church in Olpe Youth baseball coach for the Olpe Recreation Commission Awards and Honors ESU Outstanding Undergraduate Biology Student Presidential Academic Award Who’s Who Among American College Students ESU Shepherd Scholar University Honors program

Newberg Outstanding Senior nominees,

hometowns and majors:

Jason Baker – Marienthal – accounting/management

Petra Darling – Hutchinson – English/creative writing

Lindsay Davis – Olpe – biology

Kasha Graham – Harper – health promotion, minor in physical education

Megan Grisell - Olathe – secondary education/Spanish with a minor in coaching

Kara Kai Kirton – Emporia – crime and delinquency studies/Spanish

Andrea Luthi – Madison – chemistry/biology & Spanish

Becky Lundblom – Mulvane – communication

Maiko Okamura – Kawasaki City, Japan – pre-art therapy

Sarah Price – Lyndon – American history

Rachel Reeves – Olathe – political science/public affairs

Julian Rios – Bogota, Colombia – business administration

Adam Rust - Wichita – history/political science

Jaclyn Sill - Wichita – education-social sciences, minor in coaching

Jennifer Spears – Paola – pre-art therapy

Faye Stevenson – Harveyville – engraving arts/jewelry and metals

Kelly Thompson – Alma – secondary education-speech, theater and communication

Jessica Velazquez – Shawnee – communication, minors in business and Spanish

Natalie Villaflor – Oklahoma City, Okla. – chemistry, minor in Spanish

Stephanie Wade – Columbia, Mo. – biology (pre-med) and psychology

Heather Wilson – Ottawa – nursing

The Newbergs

Dwight Newberg (BSE 1933) and Ida Curry Newberg (LC 1932) established seven endowed funds that provide scholarships to ESU students. Among these are the Newberg Outstanding and Distinguished Senior awards, with $500 and $250, respectively, set aside for the annual recipients.

The fund is of particular interest to Dwight because he received the award in 1933. The award was discontinued, but the Newbergs reestablished it in 1988, and it’s been an ESU tradition ever since. Dwight Newberg passed away in 1996, and Ida Curry Newberg passed away in 2001.

 

Last Updated April 8, 2008>