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May 8, 1998
Student looks forward
to very cool research opportunity
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A head-and-shoulders color photograph of Benjamin Hasse is available
from the Purdue News Service.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A forestry major from Purdue University will spend the first
semester of his junior year on a frozen continent completely devoid of trees.
The National Science Foundation and the Boy Scouts of America have chosen Benjamin
Hasse of Kingsford, Mich., as their candidate to spend next fall helping Antarctic
researchers.
"No obvious connection to my major -- no trees in the Antarctic! But I should learn
more about how I'll function in a harsh environment," Hasse said. Harsh is an understatement
for the Antarctic, where the world's record low temperature was recorded -- minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit -- and wind gusts can reach nearly 200 miles per hour.
Every three years the National Science Foundation permits the Boy Scouts to designate
an Eagle Scout to join its scientists, helping to fulfill the U.S. government agency's
goal of providing students with research opportunities outside the classroom.
From October through mid-January, Hasse will travel to different research stations
on the frozen continent.
He becomes the ninth Eagle Scout chosen for the Antarctic Scout Program. Paul Siple
was the first, traveling with Adm. Richard Byrd's 1928 expedition at the explorer's
request. Siple eventually became a researcher and one of Byrd's right-hand men.
"We chose Ben from 112 candidates and four finalists -- all outstanding students with
proven scouting backgrounds," said John Alline, national director of Boy Scout training.
"His natural curiosity about science and strong communication skills made him a standout. We also were impressed with his continuing service at a Lafayette homeless
shelter."
Hasse said, "I don't have any specific scientific skills, but I'm told an extra pair
of hands will be useful. I would be happy to dig holes in the snow or pull sleds
myself just for the opportunity and adventure." Hasse, who is majoring in Spanish
along with forestry, has maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average during his
two years at Purdue, and he is a Purdue Beering Scholar.
The Steven C. Beering Scholarships and Fellowships were created in 1986 by Purdue
President Beering to attract students of the highest caliber. The award covers all
college expenses, including fees and tuition, room and board, books and spending
money.
Undergraduate recipients who maintain the required standards hold the Beering Scholarship
throughout their time at Purdue and may convert it to a fellowship to pursue master's
and doctoral degrees at Purdue.
CONTACTS: Hasse, (765) 495-3546; (after May 14, call his parent's home at (906) 774-6820);
e-mail: bjhasse@expert.cc.purdue.edu ; and John Alline, (972) 580-7835; e-mail: jalline@netbsa.org
Professional development classes offered at Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University's Office of Continuing Engineering Education
is offering 10 noncredit, professional development courses beginning June 1.
The videotape classes available are: Engineering Fundamentals Review; Effective Writing
for Technical Professionals; Fiber Optics Simplified; Technically Speaking; Stress
Management for High-Tech Professionals; Accelerated Reliability and Life Testing
Concepts; Introduction to C and C++ Programming; Windows '95; Object-Oriented Programming
in C++ for C and C++ Programmers; and Business of Better Health.
The videotape courses, available to the public on the Purdue campus in Room 286 of
the Potter Engineering Center, vary in length and cost. Participants can register
through June 1 by calling the Continuing Engineering Education Office at (765) 494-7017.
CONTACT: Marsha Nance, noncredit program coordinator, (765) 494-7018; e-mail, nance@ecn.purdue.edu;
Web, http://cee.www.ecn.purdue.edu/cee/noncredit.html
Purdue Notebook
Alumni honors:
-- The School of Liberal Arts recently named two Californians as distinguished alumni.
- Ronald M. Andersen, Los Angeles, is the Fred W. and Pamela K. Wasserman Professor
of Health Services in the UCLA School of Public Health. He earned his master's degree
in 1962 and his doctoral degree in 1968, both in sociology from Purdue. Andersen
spent nearly 30 years associated with the Center for Health Administration Studies at the
University of Chicago.
- Lawrence G. Burton, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., a former National Football League
player, is program director for the Boys Town of Los Angeles, Price Family Campus,
a youth facility that serves runaway, abused and neglected children. He earned a
bachelor's degree in sociology from Purdue in 1975 and was a member of the university's
football and track and field teams.
-- The School of Consumer and Family Sciences recently honored eight alumni.
- Kathy Allen Gratrix of Larkspur, Colo., was named outstanding young professional.
She is a designer for Thurston Kitchen and Bath in Denver. She earned her bachelor's
degree from Purdue in 1984 in environmental design.
- Jean Busby Beard, Frankfort, Ind.
, received the community service award. Her years of donating time, service and financial
support earned her and husband, Bill, the Clinton County Citizen of the Year Award
in 1989. She earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from Purdue in 1950.
- Gary L. Pittsford, Anderson, Ind.
, won the Friend of Purdue award. President of Pittsford and Associates in Indianapolis,
he is the founding chairman of the Financial Planning Program Advisory Board in the
Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing. He studied agricultural economics
at Purdue in 1965-67.
Five women were named Distinguished Alumnae of the School of Consumer and Family Sciences.
- Martha McNaughton Field of Leawood, Kan., is the senior manager of research and development
for Knit-Rite Inc. in Kansas City, Kan. She earned her bachelor's degree from Purdue
in 1947 and her master's degree in 1961, both in textile chemistry.
- Thesia I. Garner of Washington, D.C., is a research economist in the Bureau of Labor
Statistics for the U.S. Department of Labor. She received her master's degree from
Purdue in consumer economics in 1978.
- Diane M. Lindahl of Three Rivers, Mich., is president and founder of Positive Input
Corp., a computer software development company for food service and nutrition management.
She received her bachelor's degree from Purdue in foods and nutrition in 1975.
- Janice A. Nielsen of Mitchellville, Md. recently completed an American Political
Science Association Congressional Fellowship as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen.
Larry Craig, R-Idaho. In 1972 she received her bachelor's degree in interior/architectural design with honors from Purdue.
- Barbara Shannon of State College, Pa., is dean of the College of Health and Human
Development at Pennsylvania State University. She earned her doctoral degree from
Purdue in 1971 in foods and nutrition.
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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