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Amelia Earhart

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.

France Cordova

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."

France Cordova

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.

France Cordova

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."

France Cordova

LATINA Style
Vol. 14, No. 1, 2008

My Journey into Science

"I never forgot my dreams of science, and in 1969, shortly after I graduated from Stanford University I was inspired by two events."

France Cordova

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." 

France Cordova

Hispanic Business
September 2007

2007 Special Report on Diversity: It's Not Rocket Science

France Córdova Blazes Trail for Diversity at the University Level

France Cordova

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."

France Cordova

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."

France Cordova

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."

Michael A. Wartell

Michael A. Wartell

Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry, IPFW

Academician and scientist, Michael A. Wartell was appointed chancellor at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) July 1994. During the previous year, he was vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of chemistry at IPFW.

He currently serves on the U.S. Army Science Board (1981-1987 and 1997 to present), working on such subjects as chemical warfare, manpower and logistics, and decontamination. He also served on the Defense Science Board (1998 to 2005) and as chair of the Defense Intelligence Agency Science and Technology Advisory Board (1987 to 2005). He was a member of the Board of Visitors of the Defense Systems Management College (1984-1988), and he has been a consultant to government agencies and defense contractors. He is the author or coauthor of five textbooks, laboratory manuals, and study guides and numerous scholarly papers.

Between 1989 and 1993, Wartell was department manager for Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His responsibilities included development and management of educational outreach and special technologies programs. He was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 1984-89; and dean, College of Letters and Sciences and professor of chemistry, at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1979-84.

Wartell received a BS in chemistry from the University of New Mexico and an MS and PhD in physical chemistry in 1968 and 1971, respectively, from Yale University.

He is a member of the board of directors of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Council, Leadership Fort Wayne, Junior Achievement, the Urban League, Boy Scouts, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He is also a member of numerous honorary societies and recipient of major research grants and academic awards.

As chancellor, Michael Wartell is responsible for Indiana’s fifth-largest university and the only comprehensive public university in northeastern Indiana. IPFW offers more than 190 Indiana University and Purdue University associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the humanities, sciences, engineering, technologies, education, fine and performing arts, business and management, health sciences, and public and environmental affairs.

Summarizing his vision for IPFW, Chancellor Wartell has stated, “We will continue to build on our strengths, newly aware that while our primary mission will always focus on students and their education, we must become to our community and region what we already are to our students — an invaluable resource.”

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