The Fehribach Awards

 

The Fehribach Award winners pause for a photo following the awards ceremony.  (Left to right:  Sifat Baig, Frances Janovitz, Megan Miller, Andrew Neylon, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw, Mary Beth Fehribach, and Greg Fehribach.) 

 Mary Beth and I were privileged to present the 2013 Fehribach Awards to five exceptional students with disabilities at Ball State University. These students are leaders on and off campus and their recognition demonstrate their early commitment to their academics and their community.  At the ceremony, we emphasized that responsibility comes with recognition.  These award winners have accepted that role.  

As you will see through their accomplishments, they recognize that through support of their University and their individual activities, they have set in motion a nexus of relationships that are essential for their long-term success as professionals and as neighbors. We encouraged them to expand their networks of support, indicating that the creation and sustaining of relationships will guide them in their personal and professional lives.

It is difficult for today’s students to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment. As a new graduate with a disability, that challenge is very real. We continue to be optimistic about the future for our students. They know they have to work harder and smarter to obtain and retain employment in today’s market. The networks they develop today are the first step in their commitment to a meaningful lifetime of quality employment.  

I’m pleased to share the 2013 Fehribach Award winners with you:

A senior Psychology major, Sifat Baig has served as a research assistant and participated in a research project designed to explore the college decisions of wheelchair users.  He is a founding member of the Ball State Power Soccer team.

A senior with a double major in Elementary and Special Education, Frances Janovitz has been recognized by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society.  She also served as co-president for the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and was involved in the selecting the director of the Office of Teaching and Education Services.

A senior majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Megan Miller has the distinction of maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.  She has received numerous academic recognitions, and volunteered with the Pilot Club of Muncie, a unique service organization committed to helping those with brain-related disorders.

A senior English major, Andrew Neylon maintained a 3.8 grade point average, while remaining actively involved in campus life.  He worked for WCRD, the University’s student-run radio station and served as a captain on the Ball State Speech Team.  He also was a member of the Freshman Reader selection committee and academically mentored freshmen.

A senior Special Education major with a 3.8 grade point average, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw served as a member of the Cycling Club, Club Japan, Cardinal Filmworks, and Late Nite.  He was employed with the Student Center, assisting in Building Operations, and was involved with Education in Action and the Student Council for Exceptional Children.  

Congratulations to the 2013 Fehribach Award winners!