Purdue News
Purdue News
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June 5, 2003 Purdue Retirees Association honors Cooperative Extension ServiceWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Retirees Association on Wednesday (6/4) presented the first Arthur G. Hansen Recognition Award to the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service during the association's banquet in the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms. The award, which will be presented annually, recognizes a university unit that has fostered a strong relationship between the university and that unit's retirees. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke presented a trophy to David Petritz, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, who also accepted a $2,500 cash award funded by TIAA-CREF. In addition, the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service name will be inscribed on a master plaque to be located in a first floor corridor of the union. Jischke outlined six ways in which Extension reaches out to its retirees: • A special page, entitled "Retirees Corner," has been added to the CES in-house newsletter, which is distributed to retirees and active staff, • CES offers two educational seminars on financial matters each year. Many seminars feature Purdue specialists. • Retirees are asked to assist with the State Fair Family Picnic, at which the director updates retirees on Extension and university issues. • Information has been collected and compiled for a retirees e-mail directory. The publication will be distributed to all retirees and active staff. It also will be used by CES to inform retired staff members about departmental issues and concerns. • Retirees are routinely informed about funding issues and encouraged to contact their legislators about supporting the Purdue budget, and especially the funding for Purdue Extension. Retirees respond by making phone calls, writing letters and visiting their local legislators. • A CES retirees' reunion in Florida each January attracts 30-50 people. The event includes a Purdue speaker with an update on the university. Betty M. Nelson, president of the Purdue University Retirees Association and dean of students from 1987-1995, said the Cooperative Extension Service provides significant assistance to Purdue by encouraging the continuing involvement of retirees. "The attitude and actions of CES for its extended family create a model for all units of Purdue University," Nelson said. "It is fitting that they are recognized for their appreciation of the contributions and richness retirees bring to Purdue." Nine departments, divisions and schools were nominated for the award. The award is named in honor of former Purdue President Hansen, the university's eighth president who supported the creation of an organization for retirees in 1976. Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu Sources: Betty Nelson, (765) 463-3144, Bmnelson1@cs.com David Petritz, (765) 494-8489, dpetritz@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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