October 26, 2005

Former governor to speak to Purdue Air Force ROTC

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Former Indiana Gov. Edgar Whitcomb will speak to a group of Purdue Air Force ROTC students at 7:30 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 27) in Physics Building, Room 114.

Whitcomb will speak about his experiences while serving in World War II and how his time in the military affected his political life, said Maj. Jeff Dorman, Air Force ROTC commandant of cadets and adjunct assistant professor of aerospace studies.

More than 220 ROTC cadets will attend the event.

Whitcomb attended Indiana University until the start of World War II and then was sent to the Philippines. He wrote two books about his experiences in the war and as a POW – "Escape from Corregidor" and "On Celestial Wings." After the war, he completed his law degree and practiced in North Vernon, Seymour and Indianapolis. In 1966, he was elected Indiana's secretary of state and two years later was elected governor.

After serving one term as governor and an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate, Whitcomb returned to his law practice in Indianapolis and served as director of the Mid American World Trade Association. He is now retired and resides in Tell City, Ind.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Jeff Dorman, (765) 494-2042, jgdorman@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Former Gov. Edgar Whitcomb will be available to answer questions from the media after his presentation to the ROTC.

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