Appointments, honors and activities

• Faculty and staff honors: 

Renee Thomas, director of Purdue's Black Cultural Center, and Mike Piggott, director of community relations at Purdue, were both honored during the Greater Lafayette Commerce’s 2017 Annual Gala. Thomas was recognized with the Diversity Roundtable Diversity Leader Award for her consistent dedication to the students at Purdue and her efforts to bring the events of the Black Cultural Center to the community of Greater Lafayette. The Diversity Roundtable is a volunteer organization sponsored by the Greater Lafayette Commerce to promote diversity in the community. This organization focuses on education, consciousness-raising and action. Piggott was recognized with the Grand Marquis de Lafayette Award for his involvement in multiple volunteer and fundraising projects and for his ongoing devotion to the community of Lafayette. This award is presented annually to an individual or organization performing services well beyond expectations.