The Presidential Award is in honor of Dr. Delores Cooper Shockley. Dr. Shockley was the first African American to receive her doctoral degree from Purdue University. She accomplished this amazing task in 1955 by graduating with a degree in Pharmacology. This monumental achievement took place before the full swing of the civil rights movement and decades before the women’s liberation movement. Dr. Delores Cooper Shockley’s strive for excellence paved the way for many future black students not only at Purdue but at several other institutions of higher learning.

        This is award is given with the highest admiration from the Black Graduate Association. The member chosen to be honored with such esteem by his or her peers must possess exceptional leadership skills, a solid and outstanding academic record, an unwavering commitment to the improvement of his or her current community, and most importantly, dedication and participation in the Black Graduate Association. The recipient of this award is not only a role model to current and future members of the Black Graduate Association, but also a reminder of the legacy of Dr. Delores Cooper Shockley.