Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff to host annual awards program
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue University Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff's 35th annual Academic and Service Awards program will take place on April 17 to honor outstanding African-American students.
The caucus has sponsored the program every year since 1975 in order to recognize African-American students with strong academic performance and noteworthy service and leadership. This year's event begins at 11 a.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom.
Among the honors to be presented is the Clara Bell Award, which is presented annually to the African-American senior with the best academic record in nursing or health sciences. The award is dedicated to the memory of Clara Bell, who was a professor emeritus and former director of continuing education in Purdue's School of Nursing.
The caucus also will present service and leadership awards, determined by faculty and staff nominations. Awards for parent of the year and department/unit of the year will be presented, based on student nominations.
All honorees will receive a certificate and gift.
The event's scheduled keynote speaker is G. Christine Taylor, who became the university's first vice provost for diversity and chief diversity officer in August 2009.
Taylor provides strategic leadership and vision relating to Purdue's efforts to embrace and promote diversity with an emphasis on attracting and retaining a diverse student body. She oversees the Diversity Resource Office and the Women's Resource Office. Taylor reports to the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost and serves as a member of the president's cabinet.