The P.J. and Hilda W. Hill Award was established from a gift from P. J. Hill, a 1920 graduate of Indiana University. The $5,000 award is presented to the outstanding seniors on the IU Bloomington campus who have done the most to “better race relationships on the IU campus” during their undergraduate career.
For 2024, we would like to honor Ajith Amba and Deion Ziwawo with the P.J. and Hilda W. Hill Award for supporting and enhancing diversity and inclusion through their work at Indiana University.
Ajith Amba
Ajith Amba is a Dean’s Scholar graduating from the Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business in Finance, Accounting, and Business Analytics.
In his four years at IU, Ajith always loved finding ways to meet new people and engage in different activities. During his senior year, Ajith was lucky to serve as the Student Body President of Kelley. Alongside Eknoor Sethi, his Vice President, he created various diversity initiatives across Kelley and worked with the Undergraduate Program Chair, Bridget Stomberg, to triple the budget allocation for Kelley Student Organizations. Ajith was also involved in the Kelley and Hutton Honors Programs, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, and the non-profit consulting organization 180 Degrees Consulting.
During his sophomore year, Ajith’s love of finance led him to the Kelley Finance Department’s Investment Banking Workshop, where he eventually partnered with Professor David Haeberle, Professor Michael Goy, and fellow class of 2024 graduates Siva Sambasivam and Nick Bronico to help start the IU Private Equity Program (PEP). This program includes the new Kelley Private Equity Workshop and Private Equity Fund with great inspiration from the IU Center for Real Estate Studies’ for-profit Real Estate Fund, Sample Gates Management. The PEP aims to connect Kelley alumni with students of various backgrounds for mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.
Acknowledgments
“I credit 100% of my graduation and IU journey to the many distinguished faculty, staff, and students I have been fortunate to collaborate alongside—all of whom are dedicated leaders striving for the betterment of Kelley. I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received throughout my time as a student from Deans Ash Soni and Josh Perry, Program Chair Bridget Stomberg, KCS Executive Director Rebecca Cook, Ben Taylor, Alison Miron, Trent McGee, Alison Kvetko, Ryan Kelly, Jennifer Crawford, Anna Buck, and Eknoor Sethi. I would also like to thank the Kelley Finance Department for warmly introducing me to my incredible mentors and closest friends: the late and beloved Tom Cole, Dan Aron, Dean Teresa Kase, IU General Counsel Jeffrey Goetz, Professors David C. Haeberle and Michael P. Goy, Tiffani Odgen, Siva Sambasivam, and Nick Bronico.”
Deion Ziwawo
Deion Ziwawo is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Law and Public Policy.
Deion is a Provost’s Scholar, Founders Scholar, Hudson and Holland Scholar, a member of the Hutton Honors College, and has been on the Executive Dean’s List throughout every semester of his education. Throughout Deion’s experiences at IU, he has shown a strong commitment to creating an atmosphere of inclusion. Deion currently serves as Vice President of the Pre-Law Division of Black Law Students Association, and within this position has helped expand travel and volunteer opportunities. He also serves as the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and as a member of the College’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory + Action Committee. Deion is also a member of the 102nd Board of Aeons, a member of IU Dance Marathon, and a Hoosier Scholar Ambassador.
Acknowledgments
“I want to thank all of my family, friends, and professors who have mentored me the last four years and have rooted for my success in every way possible. Every single one of you is why my time at IU has been so memorable, and I could not be here without you.”
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