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| * Purdue Old Masters |
October 22, 2008
Purdue to welcome Old Masters to campus Nov. 2-4
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Ten leaders in a variety of fields will visit Purdue Nov. 2-4 for the Old Masters program, where they'll have the opportunity to interact with students and talk about their professional experiences.The Old Masters program, which is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, got its start in 1950. Since then, more than 500 Old Masters have visited campus and shared their ideas and experiences with the student body.
"Through the program, students are able to meet some individuals who are not only very successful in their fields, but also willing to give advice and share their life experiences," said Mary Helen Nesbitt, student affairs specialist. "Students are often able to learn a lot from the Old Masters, who come from all walks of life."
The program's first event, the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Wiley Dining Court, is invitation-only. During the event, Provost Randy Woodson and honorary Old Master Bob Taylor will speak to a group that includes university officials, the Old Masters and the Old Masters Central Committee. Each of the Old Masters also will give short talks.
On Nov. 3-4, the Old Masters will visit classrooms and residence halls, share informal meals and talk with students. A group of student hosts and hostesses will escort the Old Masters around campus.
The Old Masters Reception will take place at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. It is open to the public. The Old Masters Central Committee will introduce this year's Old Masters, and the Purdue Varsity Glee Club will perform. Following the event, audience members will have a chance to visit with the Old Masters in Hawkins Hall.
The 2008 Old Masters are:
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* Sonny Beck, president of Beck's Superior Hybrids Inc. He plays an active role in overseeing all aspects of production, processing, sales, marketing, purchasing, maintenance and research. Beck has received several awards including the Gamma Sigma Delta Merit Award for Agriculture, Purdue's President's Council Distinguished Pinnacle Award, Certificate of Distinction of Purdue Agriculture Alumni and Master Famer Award from the Indiana Prairie Farmer. He earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy, plant breeding, and a master's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue.
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* Glenn Campbell, past chief operating officer and co-founder of Hat World Inc. Campbell, who is changing positions to be closer to his family, will be in charge of vendor relations and consult with the company's vice president of operations and vice president of buying. Campbell was recognized as one of Indiana's Heartland Entrepreneurs of the Year in 1999 and 2002 and inducted into Indiana's 40 under 40 in 2002. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Southeast Missouri State University.
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* Dr. Charles Dietzen, medical director of the Easter Seals Crossroads Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis, a facility that works to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities. He is responsible for overseeing the medical policies and procedures at the center. Dietzen earned a bachelor's degree in animal science at Purdue, a medical degree from Indiana University, and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
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* Michael T. Eckhart, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy and co-chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy. He is a 2008 recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, a 2006 recipient of the RSA's Good Deal for All Award and a three-time participant in the Clinton Global Initiative. He also has served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. Eckhart earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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* Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator of the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The directorate has oversight of the International Space Station, space shuttle, space communications and space launch vehicles. He received NASA's Exceptional Service Medal in 1992 and 1999, and the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award from Purdue in 2003. He earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue, a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo and completed course work for a doctoral degree in dynamics and control from Purdue.
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* Charles L. Jones, vice president of global product consumer design at Whirlpool Corp. He oversees a global staff of industrial designers, project engineers, anthropologists, interaction designers, designer strategists and human factors engineers. He was appointed to the Academy of Fellows by the Industrial Designers Society of America in 2001, named a fellow of the World Technology Network in 2005 and named Design Impact Player by Fast Company Magazine. He was the first student to graduate from Purdue with degrees in industrial design and human factors engineering.
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* Frank Modruson, chief information officer for Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. He is in charge of all information technology at Accenture, one of the world's largest consulting firms. He was named to the InfoWorld's Top 25 CTO's list, the CIO magazine top 100 CIO list and was in charge of all IT at Accenture when it was honored for being one of the most innovative IT companies by InformationWeek. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Dickinson College and a master's degree in computer science from Pennsylvania State University.
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* Mary Pat Moeller, director of the Center for Childhood Deafness for the Boys Town National Research Hospital. In her position, she participates in a variety of longitudinal studies of infants with impaired hearing and also conducts health communication/dissemination research. She has received many honors, including being named a fellow of the American Speech & Hearing Association. She earned a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences and a master's degree in audiology/aural rehabilitation from Purdue, and her doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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* Patty Pickard, chief financial officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, a non-profit organization created to facilitate the national scale-up of programs that have a demonstrated impact on math and science education in the United States. During her career she has held senior-level financial and management positions in the finance, real estate development, oil and gas, and insurance industries. She also served as the chief financial officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas until 2007. She is a graduate of Indiana University and has completed the Wharton School of Business - Insurance Executive Development Program.
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* Martha Rees, vice president and assistant general counsel for the DuPont Co. She is responsible for the commercial, environmental/real estate, corporate/securities, mergers and acquisitions, and international regional legal practices for DuPont. She started working for DuPont in 1973 as an environmental engineer and then worked as a lobbyist for the company while attending law school. She received the Purdue Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award in 2003. Rees earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue and then graduated from Georgetown University Law School.
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Source: Mary Helen Nesbitt, (765) 494-1235, nesbitt@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: To arrange interviews with any of the Old Masters, contact Mary Helen Nesbitt, student affairs specialist and Old Masters adviser, (765) 494-1235, nesbitt@purdue.edu.
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