The Valparaiso University Alumni Association (VUAA) will recognize a trio of Valpo student-athletes among their recipients of 2024 VUAA Distinguished Student Awards, which will be presented at a special luncheon on May 10.

Every year, VUAA recognizes graduating students of distinction from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing and Health Professions and Christ College. These students embody ideals of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Upon receiving nominations and supporting materials from the deans and faculty, a committee of VUAA board members chooses recipients from each college commensurate with the nominating college’s enrollment.

Simeon Ehm (Castle Rock, Colo. / Heritage) of men’s cross country / track & field has received a Distinguished Student Award for the College of Engineering, while men’s golf fifth-year senior Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) has earned the award for Graduate Studies. Grace Aurand (Highland, Ind. / Highland) of women's cross country / track & field also received a Distinguished Student Award. She owns a 3.93 GPA in political science and is a member of Christ College. 

Ehm owns a 3.96 cumulative grade point average in environmental engineering, while VanArragon owns a perfect 4.00 GPA toward his master’s in analytics and modeling after graduating undergrad with a 4.00 in biology and statistics.