Purdue News

November 2, 1998 Purdue President's Council names 1998 award winners WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue University President's Council named an alumnus of the School of Agriculture its Ambassador of the Year and honored three other members for distinguished service. The awards were presented this weekend (10/30-31) during the council's annual fall gathering. The Ambassador of the Year Award went to Sherman O. Kessler of New Ross, Ind., for recruiting the most new council members during the past year. Kessler, a 1936 graduate, is the retired vice president of Kessler Farms Corp. He is a former member of the Purdue Board of Trustees and formerly served on the dean's advisory council for the School of Agriculture. He also is a member of the Alumni Association and the Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO) Club. Three members were presented with Distinguished Service Awards for significant contributions to the enrichment of Purdue and the President's Council. Those recipients, who receive a framed certificate and a Purdue watch, are: Daniel J. Meyer, Cincinnati, Ohio, chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board for Cincinnati Milacron Inc. He is a member of the Engineering Dean's Club and the PMO Director's Circle. A 1958 graduate of the Schools of Chemical and Electrical Engineering, Meyer served as chairman of the President's Council during the 1997-98 academic year. Robert A. Hoffer, Elgin, Ill., owner, president and chief executive officer of Hoffer Plastics Inc. He is a 1941 graduate of the School of Science and is a member of the Purdue Alumni Association, the John Purdue Club, the Technology Dean's Club and the School of Technology advisory board. Joyce Koelzer, West Lafayette, the director of annual support in the university development office. Working at Purdue since 1979, Koelzer has spearheaded an increase in annual giving to Purdue through the Purdue phone-a-thon and direct mail campaigns. She also coordinates the Purdue United Way efforts and has been instrumental in the implementation and coordination of the Beering Honor Scholar program. New chairpersons also were named at the fall weekend. The council will be co-chaired by Ben and Maxine Miller, Lafayette, both 1959 Purdue graduates. The President's Council, established in 1972, comprises Purdue alumni and friends who give a minimum of $1,000 annually to the university. The council has more than 6,500 member households. CONTACT: Carolyn Gery, President's Council executive director, (765) 494-2731; e-mail, cgery@udo.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page