Purdue University Fort Wayne senior leaves ‘exemplar’ mark on campus

Renée Liu doesn’t need imagination to understand how money can become an obstacle toward earning a college degree. Her father, who immigrated from Southeast Asia, couldn’t go beyond high school because his family couldn’t afford college.

Paying tuition at Purdue Fort Wayne was never a problem for Liu, however. Her participation in 21st Century Scholars means she will graduate next month without student loan debt. The state’s early-college promise program provides up to four years of tuition at two- and four-year Indiana colleges for students whose families meet income eligibility guidelines.

A hospitality management major, Liu will graduate from Purdue Fort Wayne as one of six seniors in this year’s Exemplar class. Honorees must demonstrate excellence in their areas of study and have a record of community outreach in their field, among other qualifications.

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