Baker University senior Lauren Amrein, a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, was honored as the St. Jude Collegiate Ambassador of the Year at the Tri-Delta's St. Jude Leadership Weekend on Sunday, Jan. 27, in Memphis, Tenn. The award recognizes her involvement with the Up 'Til Dawn campaign, a benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and to a Tri Delta who "goes above and beyond philanthropy events to support St. Jude."

Amrein, a graduate of Hayden High School in Topeka, was the lone collegian to be honored out of the 138 Delta Delta Delta chapters nationwide, representing 13,664 women. She is the executive director of the Up 'Til Dawn executive board at Baker.

"Our Up 'Til Dawn letter writing efforts continue to grow as we raise more money and more awareness," Amrein said. "I am glad Baker is part of the campaign. I have lived such a fortunate life. A passion of mine is to give back. If I can save the life of one of the children at the hospital so they can go on to do something great, it is all worth it."

Amrein has participated in Up 'Til Dawn since 2010, helping raise more than $14,000 for St. Jude and increasing team participation by 50 percent in the past year. She was selected to be in Baker's Serve2Suceed program, mentoring new students transitioning into college life and partnering with the students in 24 service projects.

"I love working with Lauren through Up 'Til Dawn," said Cassy Bailey, dean of students at Baker. "She is highly organized, a good leader and passionate about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She is our official representative to St. Jude, and I cannot imagine a better person for the job."

Amrein is a member of several Baker honor societies, including Cardinal Key, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. As a freshman she participated in the Emerging Leaders Summit.

"Lauren is the perfect example of servant leadership," said Susanne Richardson Teel, a member of Baker's Board of Trustees who works closely with Delta Delta Delta. "As a leader she has raised the awareness of St. Jude. I am extremely proud she has received this deserving award."

Interested in attending law school after graduating from Baker, Amrein has interned as a victim advocate for the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office and for TFI Family Services in Lawrence.

"I am so glad I came to Baker," Amrein said. "I enjoy the liberal arts, well-rounded education, the small class sizes and being involved in different organizations. Baker feels like home, everyone is interested in how I am doing and the professors care."