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Pari Prerana Award


Dr. James C. Wimbush congratulates Ms. Jenelle Dorner, first recipient of the Pari Prerana Award, April 22, 2008.

[ General Information ]

The Indiana University Graduate and Professional Student Organization and the University Graduate School are proud to announce the Indiana University Bloomington Pari Prerana Award, 2008. Deadline for 2009 application: TBA

The Pari Prerana (Essence of Inspiration) Award at Indiana University was established through the support of sponsors from the Indian subcontinent. The award strives to recognize and honor students who have overcome a severe physical, cognitive or other health related challenge/s and have demonstrated academic excellence.

The objective of this award forum is to provide university and community wide recognition to such students and their narratives (life stories and experiences) through various local media outlets. The award’s goal is to contribute to building the self esteem, courage and competitive spirit among graduate students with challenges and to further Indiana University’s mission.

All advisors, graduate students, faculty and professors at Indiana University, Bloomington, are invited to nominate those students that they feel deserve special recognition for exemplary courage and determination under adverse and challenging conditions.

[ Jenelle Dorner is the recipient of the first Pari Prerana (“Essence of Inspiration”) Award ]

Jenelle Dorner, was recognized by Indiana University Graduate School leadership and GPSO members at the University Graduate School Awards Ceremony on April 22nd. The award strives to recognize and honor students who have overcome a severe physical, cognitive or other health related challenge/s and have demonstrated academic excellence. The objective of Pari Prerana is to provide university and community wide recognition to such students and their narratives (life stories and experiences) through various local media outlets. The award’s goal is to contribute to building the self esteem, courage and competitive spirit among graduate students with challenges and to further Indiana University’s mission.

Jenelle’s life can serve as an example for us all. She began her studies at IU in 2003 after completing her B.S. in Animal Science and her M.S. degree in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois. She is currently a dual degree Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience and Psychology. Her decision to study Neuroscience stems from her personal experiences with severe generalized dystonia which causes muscle spasms, affecting her ability to walk and move. In addition to her dystonia, Jenelle suffers of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) and fibromyalgia (Chronic pain condition which proved even more difficult to cope with. As a testament to her strong personality and achievements she received nominations from four Indiana University Bloomington professors and graduate student colleagues. One of her recommenders writes:

“Quite simply, Jenelle is one of the most intelligent, highly gifted and motivated graduate students I have experienced in my 15 years in science. She has been highly successful in conducting novel and important studies in her research area of interest; […] This is simply an amazing level of scholarship for any graduate student, let alone one who has had to deal with such physical hardships and setbacks in her life. […] Each time I hear of another one of her health setbacks, I assume that her progress with her research will be delayed and each time, she has proved me wrong.”

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[Eligibility Criteria ]

To be eligible for this award the candidate:

  • Must be a graduate or professional student and must be currently enrolled full time in the current academic year at Indiana University Bloomington Campus.
  • Has overcome or is coping with a severe physical challenge that may affect the student’s mobility, hearing, vision, or systemic conditions that substantially limit at least one major life activity, (systemic disabilities are defined as conditions affecting one or more systems of the body, including respiratory, immunological, neurological, and circulatory systems), OR
  • Has overcome or is coping with a severe cognitive or any other health related challenge
  • Must be classified as "Disabled" as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and have self-identified to IU disability services and provided proof of disability to a Campus Coordinator of Disability Services at the IU disability services office. OR
  • In the case a student is coping with or has coped with a physical, cognitive or health related challenge for which documentation is not available, the student may choose to provide another form of documentation such a doctor’s note.
  • In some instances when there is no documentation available, the student can request his recommender to clearly outline the circumstances surrounding the student’s physical, cognitive or health challenges in the recommendation letter.
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[ Guidelines for Nominations ]

  • Student may be nominated by a graduate advisor, or a faculty member. (In case you wish to nominate a student please ensure that the student’s prior consent is obtained).
  • A student can nominate him or herself.
  • Advisors, faculty members, professors or supervisors may nominate as many students as they would like as far as all nominees meet the eligibility criterion. The quantity of letters received for a particular student does not increase or decrease their chances of being selected.
  • Advisors, faculty members, professors or supervisors may nominate as many students as they would like as far as all nominees meet the eligibility criterion. The quantity of letters received for a particular student does not increase or decrease their chances of being selected.
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[ Selection Procedure ]

Please complete the application form along with all the documents and submit them to GPSO before the annual deadline.

GPSO will select three students from the pool of nominations. From that pool the Indiana University Graduate School Awards Committee will select one student for the award.


[ Documents to be Submitted]

  • A completed Application form
  • A recommendation / nomination letter from an advisor, faculty member, professor or supervisor. Note: recommendation letters may be directly submitted by email to gpso@indiana.edu with the subject line “Pari Prerana Award”.
  • Students self nominating themselves are also required to submit a recommendation letter from an advisor, faculty member, professor or supervisor
  • A student’s essay as per the guidelines provided in the application form
  • Documentation of the disability if it is available (for details see the application form)
  • An unofficial copy of the transcript

Note: All documentation and letters will be read only for the purpose of selecting the recipient of the Indiana University Pari Prerana Award and will not be disseminated for general access and will be destroyed after the selection procedures are completed.

Click here to obtain a nomination form. (doc)

[ Contact Information ]

If you have any questions regarding this award or the nomination process, please e-mail gpso@indiana.edu with the Subject line "Pari Prerana Award."