Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff to present student honors

The Purdue Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff will recognize African-American students who have demonstrated strong academic performance and noteworthy service and leadership Saturday (April 14) at its 43rd annual Academic and Service Awards Program.

The event, beginning at 11 a.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom, will feature a keynote address by Ukari Figgs, a College of Engineering alumna and former basketball star at Purdue and in the Women’s National Basketball Association. After a five-year WNBA career, Figgs now serves as a production engineer for Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Provost Jay Akridge also will give remarks at the program. The event is free and open to the public.

The awards program has honored student achievement every year since 1975. It is the only such event at Purdue sponsored directly by both faculty and staff members and honoring undergraduates across all colleges and units on the West Lafayette campus.

This event attracts one of the largest gatherings of African-American families at Purdue. It is anticipated that this year’s program will honor more than 150 students for their outstanding performance and contributions. In addition to special awards, all students meeting grade-point criteria will receive gifts and certificates.

Writer: Olivia Crouse, ocrouse@purdue.edu