Articles
A woman who reached for the sky helped women reach for the stars
Amelia Earhart has long inspired young women to pursue their dreams, even if they face obstacles to their goals and especially if those dreams will take them beyond traditional careers. Still, in 2006, women held 1.3 million jobs in science and engineering, a third of the 3.7 million held by men. That means plenty of opportunity for women in these fields. Science and engineering careers offer the chance to make new discoveries and to make a difference in the world.
My View: How our economic garden grows
"The recently announced new crop of 50 Indiana Companies to Watch reflects not only the vision of their founding entrepreneurs, but also the future of Indiana."
U.S.News & World Report
July 2009
40 Years After Moon Landing, Time to Launch the Next 'Giant Leap for Mankind'
The Apollo program was a booster rocket for American science. That innovation must be rekindled.
American Executive
March 2008
Purdue University: Discovery Space
"At a time when research dollars are drying up and public universities face growing funding constraints and rising costs, Purdue has established itself as a major regional engine of economic growth, business incubation, and breakthrough research."
LATINA Style
Vol. 14, No. 1, 2008
"I never forgot my dreams of science, and in 1969, shortly after I graduated from Stanford University I was inspired by two events."
The Presidency
Spring 2006
Losing Sleep Over Student Success?
"Whether our concerns are about the future of an individual student, our nation’s competitiveness, or the health and security of the world’s people, the underlying issue is the challenge of making our students' college experience successful."
Hispanic Business
September 2007
2007 Special Report on Diversity: It's Not Rocket Science
France Córdova Blazes Trail for Diversity at the University Level
Woman
Summer 1997
Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground
"We don’t have any idea what our limits are. When you’re out on some of these frontiers, people sometimes don’t understand where you’re going. I want people to feel comfortable with the leading edge."
Mercury
January/February 1992
Women in Astronomy, A Sampler of Issues and Ideas
"Women need encouragement, and this encouragement has to start at home; parents need to value a science career for their daughters."
Science Digest
December 1984
America's Top 100 Young Scientists
"The implications of their work over the next decades will be more profound than we can imagine."
William R. Woodson
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Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
William “Randy” Woodson became Purdue University’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost effective May 1, 2008. Woodson, who had served as the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture since 2004, succeeds Victor L. Lechtenberg, who returned to his role as vice provost for engagement after serving as an interim provost since July 2007.
As provost, Woodson is responsible for oversight of all Purdue colleges and schools and related academic activities in coordination with the Office of the President. His office oversees academic systems such as the libraries, computing center, and student services (admissions, registrar, financial aid, health facilities), along with all Purdue cultural centers. The provost’s office also oversees issues of academic concern for the university’s four regional campuses and the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.
Woodson joined the Purdue faculty in 1985 and became a professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in 1993. He was the director of the plant biology program from 1995-97. From 1996-98, Woodson also served as the head of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
In 1998 he was named associate dean of agriculture and director of agricultural research programs and was responsible for overseeing the university’s research programs in agriculture, including fiscal management and other responsibilities such as program development and direction, budgeting, pursuit of outside funding for research and advocacy for agricultural and natural resources research.
While the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, Woodson led the college’s effort to hire more than 100 new faculty; partnered with the College of Science to launch the Climate Change Research Center; developed or enhanced a number of student success programs such as leadership development and study abroad; increased sponsored research from $41.6 million in 2003-04 to $67 million; hired more than 100 new county educators; and created the college’s Office of Multicultural Programs.
A native of Arkansas, Woodson received a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and chemistry from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in horticulture and doctorate in horticulture/plant physiology from Cornell University. Prior to coming to Purdue, he was an assistant professor of horticulture at Louisiana State University.
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