Nominations sought for Distinguished Purdue Alumni Scholars award

The Office of the Provost, in partnership with the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence, has announced the 2023 annual Distinguished Purdue Alumni Scholars award (formerly called Distinguished Women Scholars). The award honors alumni who have earned a Purdue doctorate, made significant scholarly contributions to their respective academic communities, and in doing so, have contributed extensively to the advancement of women in academia.

By recognizing Purdue’s academic alumni of distinction, Purdue also acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Purdue faculty to mentoring these successful scholars and recognizes Purdue’s role in diversifying university faculty across the nation. At the same time, Purdue demonstrates to its undergraduate and graduate students the many benefits of a Purdue graduate degree. Organizers of the award hope the recipients will be role models to all scholars in the making.

The nomination criteria are an earned doctorate from Purdue, distinguished scholarly success within one’s chosen field, and a demonstrated contribution to the advancement of women in academia. A Purdue Master of Fine Arts in all areas of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance, with the exception of Art Education, will also be eligible for nomination of the award. All alumni, regardless of sex, who meet the award criteria, including having made significant contributions to the advancement of women in academia, are eligible to be nominated for this award.

Honorees will be invited to participate in a reception on March 22, 2023. In addition, the home departments of the honorees are encouraged to welcome back their alumni and introduce them to current graduate and undergraduate students.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 26. Nomination packets can be uploaded here, which must include the following documents:

• Letter of nomination that outlines the nominee’s achievements since graduating from Purdue. Include details of scholarly, leadership, teaching and engagement accomplishments, and the nominee’s contributions to the advancement of women in academia. Nomination letters can be up to a maximum of only three pages.
• The nominee’s most recent CV.
• Support letter from two references who could speak to each nominee’s record of distinction. Each letter can be a maximum of two pages.

A committee of faculty members will review the nominations/applications and finalize the award recipients.