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April 29, 2003

Pagano named dean for Purdue’s continuing ed, conferences

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Mark Pagano has been named dean of the Office for Continuing Education and Conferences at Purdue University, effective July 1.

Mark Pagano

Pagano, a professor of mechanical engineering technology, has been the interim dean since July 2002.

"Today, more than ever, people must think of education as a life-long commitment, and Purdue must lead the way," said Purdue Provost Sally Frost Mason. "Our areas of continuing education and conferences are key to that leadership, and we are fortunate to have a person of Mark Pagano’s remarkable ability and broad experience to head this strategic effort."

The Office of Continuing Education and Conferences meets the on- and off-campus needs for hosting and planning conferences, as well as facilitating continuing education opportunities for professional development. In 2001-02, the conference division, which oversees all on-campus conference activities, handled more than 600 conferences that served 50,000 attendees. Most of these conferences bring outside visitors, and about one-fourth of the conferences bring external entities to campus.

Purdue conferences are responsible for bringing $5 million to the Greater Lafayette community every year and generate $20 million of income for Purdue every year. More than $5 million of that income directly affects the Greater Lafayette community. Because money is expected to turn over three times in the community, that contribution can be estimated at bringing $15 million to the community.

Last year in continuing education, more than 5,000 people enrolled in credit courses, and more than 10,000 participated in the non-credit program. The continuing education division oversees credit classes in nontraditional formats away from campus or through distance-learning media, Pagano said. It also administers professional development programs and validates credit for continuing education units.

"During the last year, we have instituted many changes in the Office of Continuing Education and Conferences," Pagano said. "I feel that the office is on its way to improving services and opportunities for students seeking additional education and for organizations looking for professional development through continuing education."

Pagano also is interim associate dean of the School of Technology. He will continue as professor of mechanical engineering technology, but will relinquish his associate dean duties, effective July 1. A search for a new associate dean is currently being conducted.

From 1996 to 2001, Pagano served as assistant dean and administrator of Purdue’s Statewide Technology System. He began teaching at Purdue in 1992, and he served as the acting head of the mechanical engineering technology department in 1993, and became the head of the department in 1994.

The Office of Continuing Education and Conferences has partnered with Information Technology at Purdue to make a central, interactive, Web-based calendar for the university.

Writer: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources: Sally Frost Mason (765) 494-9709, sfmason@purdue.edu

Mark Pagano, (765) 496-2321, mapagano@tech.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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