Purdue News Roundup
Purdue News RoundupNovember 21, 1997
Bank One, the Caterpillar Foundation, Eli Lilly and Co. Tippecanoe Laboratories, and State Farm Insurance Cos. made the investment in the center and will have a conference room named in their honor, Renee Thomas, director of the center, announced.
"The support from the business community is wonderful," Thomas said. "Local businesses, in turn, will have the opportunity to use the Black Cultural Center for recruiting prospective employees and for welcoming staff members to the Greater Lafayette community. These gifts also will enhance students' educational experiences at Purdue."
The two-story, 18,000-square-foot Black Cultural Center will be built at the corner of Third and Russell streets. The new center will be almost twice the size of the current Black Cultural Center, a nearly 100-year-old building that was dedicated in 1970.
"The new facility will guarantee an environment for students at Purdue to experience and enjoy their cultural heritage," Joseph H. Seaman, president of Bank One, said. "We are proud to support the Black Cultural Center."
The new center will feature a domed central area containing a lounge and reading room. Other main rooms will include an expanded art and gallery space, a computer laboratory, more storage and rehearsal areas for the center's four performing arts ensembles, and office space for student organizations such as the Black Greek Council.
Designed by Blackburn Architects of Indianapolis, which used traditional African design elements, the center will draw on geometric patterns and rough, natural textures for walls and other surfaces to incorporate textures and materials typically found in African villages.
Construction is slated to begin in the spring; completion is scheduled for fall of 1999.
The center serves about 35,000 people each year through its performing arts ensembles, speaker series, tours and other programs.
The university is providing the land and a $1 million challenge grant toward the $3 million in gifts needed to build the new center. Purdue also has agreed to provide an estimated $150,000 in fund-raising expenses. The $1 million comes from unrestricted gift money, given by contributors for use by the president for the betterment of Purdue.
CONTACTS: Thomas, (765) 494-3091; Seaman, (765) 423-0300
The tree-raising is the first of a series of holiday-related events sponsored by the Purdue Memorial Union and the Purdue Student Union Board, said Debbie Anderson, assistant director for program services at the union and PSUB adviser.
Hussein Ragheb, associate professor of biochemistry who lives at 509 N. 30th St., Lafayette, is donating the tree. The tree for the Great Hall has been donated by a community member every year since 1975. The tree is traditionally the largest indoor, natural tree in Indiana.
Purdue staff members will use a lift to decorate the top half of the tree. Members of the Purdue Student Union Board will decorate the bottom half. The tree will remain on display until the afternoon of Dec. 19.
The student union board will sponsor a breakfast with Santa from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union. The Union Market will feature breakfast specials of pancakes and sausage or French toast and sausage for $1.25, or sausage gravy over biscuits for $1.
Several musical presentations are scheduled in the Great Hall the week following the tree-raising.
On Monday, Dec. 8, University Bands harpist Joan Poulsen will perform from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Pianist Jeris Eikenberry will perform from 2 to 3 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the University Bands Tuba Quartet will perform from noon to 1 p.m. The Purdue Musical Organization's Bell Choir will perform from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Purdue Jazz Band will perform from noon to 1 p.m. The University Bands Horn Quartet will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, the Brass Guild under the direction of William Kisinger will perform from noon to 1 p.m. The University Bands Latin Percussion will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Friday, Dec. 12, the Rossville High School Jazz Choir under the direction of Janet Baker will perform from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
CONTACT: Anderson, (765) 494-9809.
"Affirming the Dream III; A Day of Service" will be conducted Jan. 19, which is an official university holiday. Those wanting to participate need to register by Dec. 10. Last year, about 200 Purdue volunteers provided their services to 25 nonprofit agencies in the Greater Lafayette community, said Judith M. Gappa, vice president for human relations.
"Dr. King emphasized service to the community as part of his teachings," Gappa said. "He spoke often about the responsibility each of us have to help the individual in need."
Nancy Wada-McKee, assistant dean of students, has contacted more than 50 Greater Lafayette organizations and will be helping match volunteers with the organizations. Volunteers will work from about 9 a.m. to about noon on Jan. 19. Transportation for volunteers will be available.
Following the day of service, volunteers are invited to a luncheon starting at noon in the Krannert Drawing Room, Krannert Building. Lisa Heinhold, Meredith Hall manager, is coordinating the meal that is being provided by several corporate and community sponsors including Subway Sandwiches, Coca-Cola and Meredith Residence Hall.
For more information or to register for Affirming the Dream III, contact Kathy Reynolds at the Diversity Resource Office, (765) 494-2117.
Each half-hour program includes a campus news update, feature segments and a studio interview. The program is seen weekdays in Greater Lafayette and on Purdue's West Lafayette campus on The Purdue Channel (Cox Communications Channel 5; University Residences Television Antenna System Channel 15; and Purdue Cable Network Channel 4). Telecast times are noon Monday and Friday and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Several cable outlets around the state present the program as well (see listing below).
The Greater Lafayette telecast schedule and topics for December:
Dec. 1-5 -- Budding entrepreneurs compete in special competitions; a look at the new Animal Behavior Clinic; student archaeologists make an intriguing discovery.
Dec. 8-12 -- The Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology laboratory means hands-on experience; the good side of kids' fat intake; international students and scholars add to the tapestry of campus.
"Purdue: A Closer Look" is jointly produced by the Center for Instructional Services and the Office of University Relations. Program hosts are Beth Forbes, news coordinator at Purdue News Service, and Greg Zawisza, director of special projects at University Relations.
In addition to the Greater Lafayette telecasts, the program also is seen on the following cable outlets around the state (check local listings):
CONTACTS: Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu
Forbes, (765) 494-9723; e-mail, beth_forbes@purdue.edu
-- Joshua William Keyes, a senior majoring in biology from Carmel, Ind. , won the $3,000 A.J. McAllister Memorial Scholarship. Phi Delta Theta fraternity members who show academic excellence and financial need and who live in chapter house are eligible for the award.
-- Jill Dickey, a junior majoring in accounting and finance from Pendleton, Ind. , and Linda Kuskye, a sophomore majoring in computer technology from Lafayette , each won $2,000 Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Scholarships. These students were selected based on grade point averages and leadership and extracurricular activities.
-- Purdue's Interfraternity Council presented its R.B. Stewart Fraternity Award of Excellence to FarmHouse fraternity. The Stewart Award is presented to the chapter demonstrating excellence in the areas of alumni and external relations, chapter and house management, leadership and social development, membership recruitment and development, community service, scholastic achievement, and recycling programs. FarmHouse has been an alcohol-free fraternity since its national founding in 1905. The Purdue chapter was established in 1952. R.B. Stewart was a member of the Purdue staff for 36 years until he retired in 1961 as vice president and treasurer for the university.
-- Purdue's Panhellenic Association presented its Dean Elsbury Awards for outstanding sorority chapter excellence. Kappa Alpha Theta earned the overall award of excellence and awards in the areas of campus/community relations and scholarship. Zeta Tau Alpha was named the outstanding chapter in risk management and member recruitment. Phi Sigma Rho earned the award for Greek relations and programming, while Sigma Alpha earned the award for new-member education. The award is named for Barbara Elsbury, an assistant dean of students who has worked closely with the Panhellenic Association during her three decades of service to the university.
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Faculty and Staff Honors:
-- Tony Hawkins, interim vice president for student services, was named an honorary Old Master during the 48th annual program this month. The presentation was made by members of the Old Masters Central Committee during the program's first night. The award is presented to a person who has worked for the betterment of student life at Purdue, displays high character and has shown support for the Old Masters Program.
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
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