Student receives music education award
University of Indianapolis junior Jaclyn Boskamp received an Outstanding Future Music Educator Award on Jan. 22.
Alongside students from both DePauw University and Butler University, Boskamp was one of only three Indiana college students to earn this honor for 2010.
Boskamp
“Across the board, she is an excellent student. That’s why I nominated her for the award,” assistant professor Dr. Brenda Clark said.
Clark explained that she nominated Boskamp on a basis of academic achievement, musical achievement and leadership abilities.
Boskamp was asked to write an essay as part of her nomination, and an out-of-state review panel selected winners.
Boskamp explained that the nomination process for this award started in Oct. 2009 so there was a long wait to discover who won.
“Some people know they were selected as a winner beforehand, but I found out the day of the competition.” Boskamp said. “I couldn’t believe it, but I was really excited.”
Boskamp currently serves as president of the UIndy chapter of the collegiate division of National Association for Music Education (MENC).
Clark described the UIndy chapter as one of the most active in Indiana with more than 40 members. The UIndy MENC Chapter was last year’s Outstanding Collegiate MENC chapter of the year for Indiana.
“Jaclyn has been a real leader in MENC since her freshman year,” Clark said. “She is also a great mentor for young students.”
UIndy senior Michael Richardson received the Outstanding Future Music Educator Award at last year’s ceremony. Coincidently, Richardson and Boskamp, the only two UIndy students to ever receive this award, are engaged to be married.
“This award is really an honor,” Boskamp said. “Not to mention, it will be a great addition to my résumé.”
In the future, Boskamp plans to pursue a career as a music educator.
“I haven’t decided what level I want to teach,” Boskamp said. “I just know I want to teach music.”
After Boskamp claimed this award at the state level, Clark submitted Boskamp as a contender for a professional achievement award, a national level honor.
“I wish I had 100 more students just like Jaclyn.” Clark said. “I would want my own kids to have her in the classroom; now that’s saying something.”
