Purdue News

Purdue to bestow 17 honorary doctorates

"These men and women have made significant contributions to their professional fields and in service to their communities," said Purdue President Steven C. Beering. "It is with pride and pleasure that Purdue recognizes their remarkable achievements with the university's highest honor for accomplishment."

Honorary-degree recipients will be cited during four commencement ceremonies May 17 and 18 in Elliott Hall of Music on the West Lafayette campus, and at ceremonies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on May 11, and at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne on May 14.

The 1997 recipients at the West Lafayette campus are:

• Charles J. Arntzen, Ithaca, N.Y. , president and chief executive officer, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research Inc. His doctor of science degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 17.

• William E. Bindley, Carmel , chairman, president and chief executive officer, Bindley Western Industries Inc. His doctor of management degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 17.

• Lorene M. Burkhart, Indianapolis , owner/publisher, Indianapolis Register. Her doctor of letters degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 18.

• David C. Cassidy, Freeport, N.Y. , professor of the history of science, Hofstra University. His doctor of science degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 17.

• Janice G. Davidson, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. , director, The Davidson Group. Her doctor of education degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 18.

• Thomas J. Engibous, Dallas , president and chief executive officer, Texas Instruments Inc. His doctor of engineering degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 17.

• Avanelle Kirksey, Fort Smith, Ark. , the Meredith Distinguished Professor Emerita of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue. Her doctor of science degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 18.

• Bertram Kostant, Newton Center, Mass. , professor emeritus of mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His doctor of science degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 17.

• James L. Lammie, Princeton Junction, N.J. , director and former president and chief executive officer, Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. His doctor of engineering degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 17.

• Mary Beth Leininger, Plymouth, Mich. , co-owner, Plymouth Veterinary Hospital; president, American Veterinary Medical Association. Her doctor of science degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 18.

• George W. McNelly, Lafayette , the George W. McNelly Professor Emeritus of Technology at Purdue; retired dean, School of Technology. His doctor of technology degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 18.

• James J. Stukel, Urbana, Ill. , president, University of Illinois. His doctor of engineering degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 17.

• John B. Swisher, Indianapolis , founder, president and chairman of the board, United Feeds Inc. His doctor of agriculture degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 18.

• Nobutaka Takahashi, Tokyo , director, Plant Homeostasis Research Program, Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). His doctor of agriculture degree will be awarded at 2:30 p.m. May 18.

• Wan-go H.C. Weng, Lyme, N.H. , president, Wan-go Weng Inc.; president emeritus, China Institute in America. His doctor of fine arts degree will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. May 18.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis:

• Doris H. Merritt, Indianapolis , acting associate vice president for research at Indiana University and special assistant to the chancellor of IUPUI for research and graduate education; professor emerita of pediatrics, IU School of Medicine. Her doctor of science degree will be awarded at 3 p.m. May 11 at IUPUI's commencement in the RCA Dome.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne:

• Jackson R. Lehman, Fort Wayne , retired chairman and chief executive officer, Fort Wayne National Corp. and Fort Wayne National Bank. His doctor of letters degree will be awarded at 7 p.m. May 14 at IPFW's commencement in the Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Center.

Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; home, (765) 463-9119; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Black-and-white photos of each honorary-degree recipient are available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.

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