Texas A&M University presented its three top student awards to Jennifer Leigh Christensen of Hamilton, Juhee Choi of Korea and Andrew Spencer Welch of Round Rock during spring commencement ceremonies.

Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Awards, which include cash gifts of $5,000 each, were presented to Christensen, a chemical engineering graduate who also received a certificate for advanced international affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and Juhee Choi, who received a biomedical sciences degree.

The award honors top students who exemplify the leadership and related traits of the late Gen. Earl Rudder, a World War II hero who served as president of Texas A&M from 1959 until his death in 1970.

The Robert Gates-Muller Family Outstanding Student Award, which also includes a $5,000 gift, was presented to Welch, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master of science degree in financial management.

The award was established through a gift from the Muller Family of Galveston to provide public recognition to the outstanding seniors graduating from Texas A&M who have demonstrated those qualities of leadership, patriotism and courage exemplified by Dr. Robert M. Gates. Gates served as president of the university from 2002 until 2006, when he was named U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The students were presented their awards by Texas A&M President Elsa Murano.

Choi is known as a leader who has tremendous potential to succeed in her chosen field of medicine, Murano said during the presentation of the Brown-Rudder Award.

“Her experiences living in Korea, Japan and the United States have given her a perspective of the world that motivates her to want to serve all cultures, and her own miraculous recovery from late-stage cancer at age 18 months has inspired her to help others through the practice of medicine. She hopes to serve as a medical missionary with the international medical group Doctors Without Borders,” Murano added.

In addition to achieving a perfect 4.0 GPR, Choi served as a pianist for the Texas A&M Wind Symphony, was vice president of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, served on the executive leadership team of the Asian American Intervarsity and participated in a study abroad program in Mexico.

Christensen, who received her chemical engineering degree in December, is known as an outstanding student and leader. One of her nominators said she is one of the top five students he has known during his long career as a professor and she has shown a devotion to excellence in every aspect of the Aggie tradition, both in the classroom and through service as a leader in other areas.

“Ms. Christensen has been active in numerous organizations at Texas A&M, including serving as vice president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a director with the Student Government Association, co-chair of the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and on the board of the Lutheran Student Fellowship,” Murano said in presenting her with the Brown-Rudder Award. “She also co-authored a book chapter with one of her professors and maintained a perfect 4.0 GPR while earning her degree.”

In presenting the Gates-Muller Award, Murano described Welch as someone who strives for excellence in everything he does.

“Mr. Welch not only completed the requirements for one of his courses, but he also turned in every optional assignment for that course. He is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master of science degree in financial management. In both areas, he maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point ratio,” she added.

One nominator wrote that for others, the victory is in the grade, the job or the salary, but for Welch, relationships are the important thing. While others have celebrated their triumphs, he has used his to make Texas A&M a better place.

Outside the classroom, Welch helped another student establish a leadership program for business students called Horizons and served as a mentor to other students, Murano said, adding that he also has been active in numerous Mays Business School organizations and served as a coordinator for a mentoring program for local elementary school students.

Additionally, he has worked in numerous jobs, including as head of a water park in Round Rock and as a ranch hand helping to start an Angus show cattle operation in Giddings.