Darcy Allen, Senior Academic Advisor, was nominated for her outstanding performance during a challenging period in undergraduate advising. When an academic advisor left the department just before student registration began in early October 2024, Darcy stepped in to ensure that all undergraduates stayed on track with their academic plans. Darcy developed a strategic approach by first reviewing the plans of study for graduating seniors in December, then prioritizing the remaining students based on their immediate needs. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is that she joined the department in July 2024, making her a new advisor at the time. In addition to learning the department's academic policies and curriculum, she had to advise nearly 500 undergraduates while working closely with the associate director on curriculum-related tasks such as drafting proposals, approving study abroad courses, and reviewing transcripts for transfer students. Darcy’s hard work and dedication have been invaluable to the Weldon School’s undergraduate advising operations. Her commitment to student success and her extraordinary efforts during a critical time in the department deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated.

Sherry Clemens is the only full-time staff member working to support the Indianapolis operations. She is the first point of contact for students and visitors, whom she always greets with a smile. I found stepping into the role of Chair just as the COVID pandemic hit to be difficult, but Sherry was there to support me every step of the way. She had institutional knowledge which was critical, but she was also always willing to do whatever she needed to or learn whatever skill was necessary to get the job done. She became a confidante, and someone I can truly rely on for anything, whether or not it is part of her job description. In the fall of 2022, just as we were climbing out of the pandemic’s gloom, our work lives were again thrown into disarray with the signing of the MOU which would ultimately result in the dissolution of IUPUI. Things on campus became very dark with more chaos and uncertainty. Faculty went through an unexpected promotion and tenure review which further darkened the mood. Uncertainty surrounding staff positions added to the overall gloom. Despite all of this, Sherry came to work every day with a smile on her face and helped our department limp through the difficult times. She continued to do whatever it took to make sure we kept moving forward. This included working for IUPUI, but also helping with things that came up at Purdue. On July 1, 2023, I took on the added responsibility of being the Acting Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology during it’s last year of existence. The previous Dean did not have an Administrative Assistant (the previous Assistant has retired in February). Sherry ended up taking on this added responsibility until I was able to hire an Assistant in October. She never complained a single time, despite the fact that she was really doing 2 jobs. She helped train the new Assistant and even continued to help me in the Dean’s office for the rest of my tenure.

It's impossible to put into words how much Sherry has done to help me, our Department and School, the rest of our faculty, and most importantly our students. I am not sure I would have made it through the past 5 years without her help and guidance. Now a Purdue employee, and no longer reporting to me directly, she continues to do everything that is needed to keep the department moving forward. This includes learning all new systems at Purdue University, helping our continuing students move forward toward degree completion, and welcoming the 60 new BME freshmen to campus. If there is a job to do, Sherry will be the first person to volunteer. If there is an event, you can be sure that Sherry will be there representing BME and doing it with a smile. I can’t imagine there is another staff member in West Lafayette or Indianapolis who is more deserving of this award! She has my highest recommendation. 

Violet Frye, a Laboratory Instructor in Indianapolis, has played a critical role in establishing a Purdue BME presence in Indianapolis by adapting legacy spaces and developing new environments to meet the Weldon School’s evolving needs. She has ensured a seamless transition by maintaining existing labs, upgrading equipment, and designing and outfitting new spaces—all while teaching three lab sections each week.

This past semester, Violet reconfigured the BME makerspace, improved hazardous material handling protocols, and coordinated new equipment purchases and installations. Her work has balanced stability in the student learning experience with forward-thinking innovation in lab design. Violet’s dedication to safe, efficient, and future-ready environments has been instrumental in shaping the next chapter of the program in Indianapolis, making her a standout recipient of the Moving the University Forward Award.

Sandra May is a Senior Graduate Program Assistant in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. She is assisting BME students throughout their graduate studies, including help and guidance with offer letters, course registration, plans of study, exams and defenses, and graduation processes.

Sandy has played a pivotal role in transitioning a cohort of graduate students from the former IUPUI to what is now Purdue in Indianapolis. Preparing for the merger of PhD programs by July 2024, the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering began admitting new PhD students who would be supervised by Indianapolis faculty through Purdue University, West Lafayette. Since the universities were still separate entities at the time, the Graduate Programs Staff, buoyed by the experience and contribution of Ms. May, were critical to this process. They brought institutional knowledge from the legacy years from when BME Ph.D. students doing research on the IUPUI campus were actually Purdue University PhD students. Sandy's support for the new PhD students in Indianapolis, at a time when Purdue in Indianapolis was still emerging, ensured that these students did not feel left behind. Sandy's contributions went above and beyond what other graduate program administrators in other schools were doing at the time, demonstrating both operational excellence and a deep commitment to advancing the University. Additionally, leveraging her long-standing relationships with faculty in Indianapolis, Sandy helped bridge the transition for students already enrolled in the IUPUI graduate programs, assisting them in updating their Plans of Study to align with Purdue University’s requirements

The Weldon School is proud of our winners.

Purdue University’s Bravo Award+ Program recognizes the excellence of university employees. This award lets employees know that someone has noticed their noteworthy contribution. At the same time, it reinforces the values and behaviors important to the University.