Top science alumni will speak to students through Dean’s Executive Science Forum

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Distinguished alumni of Purdue University’s College of Science will speak to students during the Dean’s Executive Science Forum this fall.

The alumni will discuss what they have learned from failures in their lives, as well as career competency topics related to a strengths assessment and traits that employers desire. The class will also include mandatory networking events where students will have a chance to talk to speakers one-on-one.

“We want our graduates to engage and collaborate confidently across disciplines, from science to policy to commerce, and to recognize and act on the many opportunities that will come their way,” said Patrick Wolfe, Federick L. Hovde Dean of Science. “Here we are teaching these skills through a direct and personal connection with some of our leading alumni."

The class was made possible by a gift from a donor who felt he learned more from failure than success and wanted to create a forum where successful individuals talked to students about their failures and what they learned from them. The forum also supports Purdue’s leadership and professional development strategic initiative.

Forum sessions will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays throughout the fall semester in Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239, 640 Oval Drive. The talks are free and open to the public, but networking events are for students only.

Oct. 13 – Anne Jackson, actuarial science: analytical/critical thinking.

Oct. 20 – Bernie Bulkin, chemistry: leadership.

Oct. 27 – Gayle Johnston, biology: conflict resolution.

Nov. 3 – Carolyn Deal, biology: organizational skills.

Nov. 10 – Ted Moore, physics: problem solving/decision making/

Nov. 17 – Brian Weston, computer science: teamwork/collaboration.

Nov. 24 – no class.

Dec. 1 – TBD: cultural awareness.

Dec. 8 – Danielle Sheese, instructor: strengths discussion and review session. 

Writer: Kayla Zacharias, 765-494-9318, kzachar@purdue.edu 

Source: Wendi Ailor, 764-494-0586, waailor@prf.org