About the Jess Chouteau Outstanding Senior Award
The Jess Chouteau Outstanding Senior Award recognizes TU seniors who demonstrate exceptional achievement in both academic and service endeavors. The Jess Chouteau Outstanding Senior Award is bestowed upon no more than ten seniors each year. Winners are selected by alumni of The University of Tulsa and are recognized at Homecoming each year.
Malia Aurigemma, a mechanical engineering major from Honolulu, Hawaii, is involved in several campus organizations including Make a Difference Engineering, Kappa Alpha Theta, Peer Mentors, Student Association, TEDxUTulsa, Future Alumni Council, Tau Beta Pi, Mortar Board, Order of Omega and Students for Sustainability. “The pièce de resistance of my TU career came from my junior year: TU’s Day of Service… we partnered with eight community organizations and one on-campus department to create volunteer opportunities for up to 312 members of the campus community. This project helped me confirm that community engagement was going to be an important factor in determining a future career, and I cannot wait to bring these skills I developed at TU into my next chapter of life.”
Carter Dierlam, a biochemistry major from Stillwater, Oklahoma, has been involved and held leadership roles in several campus organizations including Lambda Chi Alpha, Student Association, Peer Mentor, Newman Catholic Center, Career Readiness Initiative, American Chemical Society, as well as serving as a Gilcrease Junior Board Member. “I am most proud of the way I have impacted this community by facilitating environments that allow others to flourish…I frequently stepped out of my comfort zone joining organizations and seeking leadership opportunities. Realizing that others were also seeking a sense of connection changed my outlook and my leadership style. My focus shifted to creating inclusive spaces for individuals to feel comfortable. When I began to intentionally seek to create these spaces, I saw others became more comfortable and willing to try new things.”
Campbell Eckhardt, a biochemistry major from Tuscola, Texas, served the University in leadership roles in the Honors College Student Advisory Board, Honors Student Association, New Student Orientation, and Fellowship of Aspiring Leaders, while also involved with Early Careers in Medicine, Leadership TU, Student Success Initiatives, and undergraduate research. “During my time at TU, I have found a niche which allows me to influence thousands of students...In my roles with the Honors College and New Student Orientation, I directly influenced over a quarter of the student body, and I will continue to indirectly influence multiple generations of TU students from the initiatives I have created and supported…That being said, the soft skills I learned at TU will assist me in my endeavors regardless of where my life takes me.”
Hannah Grenier is a business management major specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has held leadership roles in several organizations on campus including Kappa Alpha Theta, Student Association, Leading Women of Tomorrow, Women in Business, as well as serving as a Peer Mentor. “I believe my TU legacy will be synonymous with advocacy. My impact on the TU community is relatively outstanding because I have had the pleasure of representing the student body through executing and empowering others to create positive change… TU has immaculately prepared me physically and mentally to tackle any aspiration I will have in the future.”
Jackson Habrock, a mechanical engineering major from Elkhorn, Nebraska, is a member and leader of various campus organizations including Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Peer Mentors, University Ambassadors, Make a Difference Engineering, American Society of Mechanical Engineering, Tau Beta Pi, Mortar Board, Order of Omega, Future Alumni Council, TU Golf Club, and Best Buddies. “Throughout my journey at TU, I have been dedicated to the university’s progress while fostering strong communities around campus. I have emerged as a leader on campus by creating valued relationships with my peers, encouraging the success of others, and being a mentor for many. Leadership, service, relationships, and community are words that sum up my experiences during my time at TU… With gratitude, I have left TU better than I found it and I know TU has done the same for me.”
Lynsey Mendenhall, is a marketing major from Moore, Oklahoma. She is actively involved in the TU Pom Squad, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Student Association, Chi Omega, Peer Mentors, Leading Women of Tomorrow and Women in Business. “My TU experience taught me that it’s okay to be unsure of what the future holds. It’s okay to change my mind, and it’s okay to not have things figured out. It’s okay to be interested in multiple things, and it’s okay to go a different route than planned. I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to take risks. The people I have met along the way have supported me, inspired me, and motivated me.”
Mia Sisul, a chemical engineering major from Overland Park, Kansas, is involved in many extracurricular activities at TU including, Tau Beta Pi, Omega Chi Epsilon, Mortar Board, Phi Eta Sigma, Order of Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Future Alumni Council, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Society and Mathematical Association of America. “As a leader, I am dedicated to service and mentorship. True leadership lies in empowering others, and I strive to create an environment where each member feels valued, heard, and capable of making a difference. One highlight of my TU journey has been my involvement in research, specifically working on the chemical resistant properties of graphene on metals…This journey allowed me to refine my analytical and critical thinking skills, and the insights gained have been invaluable in my pursuit of impactful leadership.”
Matthan Tharakan, a biology major from Jenks, Oklahoma, is a leader and member of the National Health Paraprofessional Society – Alpha Epsilon Delta, Mortar Board, Biology Honor Society, American Society of Cell Biology and the TU Tennis Team. “My transformative journey at TU has not only shaped my career aspirations but also instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to improve the health of the city of Tulsa. TU's commitment to community engagement and its provision of valuable resources have empowered me to make significant contributions in the realm of public health. With the foundation laid at TU, I am well equipped to navigate the complexities of healthcare and work towards a brighter and healthier future for all."