Purdue News

December 6, 2002 John Huie receives Purdue Extension Director's Award WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – John Huie, special assistant to the president at Purdue University and professor of agricultural economics, was honored with the Purdue Cooperative Extension Director's Award for his contributions to Purdue and the citizens of Indiana. "John has had a long and distinguished career making Purdue Extension and Purdue University shine," said David Petritz, director of Purdue Extension. "He's held a variety of positions, but his goal has always been to help Indiana, its people and Purdue." The award is given when the Purdue Extension director chooses to recognize exemplary effort on behalf of the land-grant university mission. It is not an annual award. Huie received the award, in part, for his efforts with Extension learning centers around the state. "He was one of the first people to stress the need to support the Extension learning centers," Petritz said. "He recognized the need to reach beyond normal Extension activities and the learning centers are one way to do that." The centers are educational facilities that offer a high-tech approach to learning, Petritz said. Courses taught include computers, English language skills and various college-level classes. There are five learning centers in the state with plans for more. In the program's first year, four learning centers offered 222 classes with 1,527 people enrolled. Huie started his career at Purdue in 1968 as a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He worked as an Extension economist for public policy and community development. He then worked in state government for nine years before returning to Purdue in 1985 to act as special assistant to the president. Huie received bachelor's and master's degrees from Auburn University and a doctorate from Michigan State University. CONTACT: David Petritz, (765) 494-8489, david.petrtiz.ces.purdue.edu. Writer: Kay Hostetler, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page