Eight students from Purdue Polytechnic received Golden Hammer Awards on April 23 during a ceremony at Union Station in Indianapolis. The second annual dinner honored 27 Purdue undergraduates in Indianapolis for their academic performance, leadership and community engagement.
Purdue University splits the recognition into two categories: the Golden Hammer Award for Excellence and the Golden Hammer Trailblazer Award.
Six Polytechnic students received the Award for Excellence. The university grants this honor to students who build professional networks and maintain active involvement on campus. The recipients include senior mechanical engineering technology major Nathan DeNicola, alongside five cybersecurity majors: seniors Kaleb Bacztub, Lamis Dugla, Darpesh Kaur and Sarah O'Farril-Gonzalez, plus sophomore Ray Hirano.
Two Polytechnic freshmen received the Trailblazer Award. The university designed this category for students who create new opportunities and challenge the status quo early in their academic careers. The recipients are interior architecture major Sherlyn Padilla and cybersecurity major Aditi Dinesh Sharma.
David Umulis, Purdue's senior vice provost and chief academic officer for Indianapolis, addressed the students during the ceremony. "Innovation, leadership and courage have always moved through this space," Umulis said. "You are setting the standard for what comes next."
Purdue alumnus Bob Burlas, founder and CEO of Guide Leadership Consulting, also spoke to the attendees. He advised students to trust their own judgment in their future careers.
"Don't ask permission," Burlas said. "Ask if it is needed and is it right."
Purdue established the Golden Hammer Awards in 2025 to annually recognize student impact and community engagement in Indianapolis.
Additional information