Purdue News

January 7, 2002 Bob Dole to speak at improved Ag Fish Fry WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – This year the Purdue University Ag Alumni Fish Fry will feature a new location, a Saturday schedule and a marquee guest speaker. Bob Dole Bob Dole will be the headline speaker when the Fish Fry moves to Cumberland Place Exhibition Center in West Lafayette, Ind., Feb. 2 at 11:30 a.m. "To have Bob Dole address the Agricultural Alumni Association about values and leadership is probably the most exciting event I have been a part of here at Purdue," said Donya Lester, executive secretary of the Ag Alumni Association. "Bob Dole's lifelong record of public service mirrors the values of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association," Lester said. "I can tell from the excitement among our alumni that Sen. Dole will truly connect with this audience." Dole was the Republican candidate for president in 1996, vice presidential candidate in 1976 and served as Senate leader of the Republican Party for 12 years, the longest in the party's history. For the first time since 1958, the Fish Fry will move out of the Purdue Armory and off campus. The change to a Saturday is designed to give more ag alumni the opportunity to attend the event. Lester said the changes will make the Fish Fry better. "We’re excited about the move," she said. "In keeping with President Martin Jischke's vision for all of Purdue, we're 'taking it to the next level.' The facility is beautiful, it will be comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and a lot more user friendly for all of the Fish Fry patrons." With limited seating at Cumberland Place and a speaker of Dole's stature, Lester expects tickets to go fast. Tickets, priced at $15, are available only through the Ag Alumni office and all seats are reserved. To order tickets, call the Ag Alumni office at (765) 494-8593. Purdue ag alumni will be given priority on ticket purchases until Jan. 16. While many things about the event are changing, some things will remain the same. Pork tenderloin will stay on the menu at the fishless Fish Fry and roving gags and signs also will continue to entertain the audience. "This year's Fish Fry will be a fun event – one you'll talk about all year long," Lester said. Prior to the Fish Fry, the annual Ag Forecast also will be held in the University Inn Conference Center, adjacent to Cumberland Place. A discussion on environmental issues and the new farm bill legislation will feature panelists Jim Moseley, deputy secretary of agriculture, and a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency. Orion Samuelson, host of U.S. Farm Report, will moderate the discussion, which will start at 9:15 a.m. Admission to the Ag Forecast is free. Writer: Tom Campbell, (765) 494-8084 Source: Donya Lester, (765) 494-8593 Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A publication-quality photograph of Bob Dole is available at ftp://ftp.purdue.edu/pub/uns/dole.bob.jpeg. Media planning to attend the Fish Fry should contact Beth Forbes, Purdue Ag Communications, at (765) 494-2722 or bforbes@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page