Purdue Notebook

October 31, 1997

Faculty and Staff Honors

-- Samuel D. Conte, professor emeritus of computer sciences and mathematics, was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon. The award, the highest honor bestowed by the governor, was given to Conte for his contributions in establishing Purdue's Department of Computer Sciences in 1962, the first such university-based department in the nation. Conte was the department's first head, serving from 1962 to 1979.

-- T. Grant Kepner, just-retired director of safety and security and Purdue police chief, also was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by O'Bannon. Kepner was cited Oct. 24, his retirement date, for his 34-year Purdue career, which included more than 30 years as the university's first director of safety and security.

Compiled by J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; e-mail, mike_willis@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

To the Purdue News and Photos Page