A campus leader bound for law school and a young man of faith with his eyes on medical school were awarded top prizes at Saturday’s Dean’s Senior Breakfast.
Thanking the Class of 2011 for “persevering through some of the most challenging periods of the College’s history,” Dean of Students Mike Raters welcomed graduating seniors to the breakfast.
"From the arts to athletics, classrooms to philanthropic venues, your class has led a banner year for Wabash," Raters said. "On behalf of our staff, faculty, and alumni, please accept my most sincere appreciation—and admiration—for a job exceedingly well done."
Raters then announced the winner of this year’s Frank Hugh Sparks Award for All-Around Student Achievement—Jake German ’11.
German, a political science major and soon-to-be summa cum laude graduate who earned distinction on comprehensive examinations in January and will be initiated this afternoon into Phi Beta Kappa, is president of the Sphinx Club, a member of the golf team, has taught in Ecuador, studied in Spain, interned with Career Services, and this year also earned William Nelson White Scholarship. He has been accepted into the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University.
Dean of the College Gary Phillips stepped to the podium to announce the winner of this year’s John Maurice Butler Prize for Scholarship and Character—Austin Drake ’11.
The winner of numerous honors in chemistry, Drake was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year and last summer interned with Professor Walter Novak before serving on a mission trip to Haiti. The former president of the Wabash Christian Men's group has been accepted into medical schools and is also considering joining the army.
Dean Phillips then presented this year’s Deans’ Breakfast Address, "Continuity and Change: Making the Impossible Possible."
For more about the address and photos from the event, click here.
In photo: Austin Drake ’11 accepts the John Maurice Butler Prize from Dean of the College Gary Phillips.