Purdue University Fort Wayne Honors Program

53 Honors Program certificate graduates, one big moment! Posing proudly on the 2026 commencement stage.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

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Last Friday, the second annual IPFW/PFW Honors Alumni Reception brought together alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Honors Program for an evening of connection and celebration. The event was a wonderful success and a testament to the strength and spirit of the Honors community.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Art Friedel Honors Experiential Learning Award. Generously established by Arthur (“Art”) W. Friedel, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, this award supports honors students pursuing high-impact, hands-on learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

This year’s first-ever recipients truly embody the purpose of the award:

🌿 Bethany Cisz was recognized for her work on the Native Plant Species Restoration initiative. Her vision for enhancing campus biodiversity while extending meaningful impact to the broader Allen County community stood out to the selection committee. Her integration of ecological restoration, community education, and research reflects the very spirit of experiential learning.

🌍 Breehonie Felger earned the award for her proposal to pursue intensive Croatian language and cultural study at the University of Split. Her academic focus on identity formation and socio-political change in the Western Balkans, paired with her strong scholarship and leadership, exemplifies the depth and purpose of experiential learning.

The evening also honored two extraordinary emeritus professors whose dedication continues to shape the PFW community:

🏅 Dr. Art Friedel received the Visionary Founder of Honors Experiential Learning Award in recognition of his lasting impact and commitment to student opportunity.

🏅 Dr. Georgia Wralstad Ulmschneider was presented with the Visionary Leader and Legacy Builder Award. A former Honors Program Director and founder of the pre-law program at PFW, she remains deeply devoted to student success and continues to inspire with her vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the campus community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening celebrating excellence, innovation, and the enduring impact of the Honors Program.

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