Purdue News

May 12, 2000 Class of 1950 officers earn President's Medal, unveil artwork WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The current and former presidents of the Class of 1950 have received the President's Medal for outstanding achievement and service to Purdue. Purdue President Steven C. Beering presented the awards to James Blakesley, the current president, and Maurice Williamson, the president from 1960 to 1990, during Gala Weekend activities. Blakesley and Williamson, both of West Lafayette, are the 13th and 14th recipients of the President's Medal, a statuette that is a replica of the Purdue Mace. Used at all commencement ceremonies, the mace is a ceremonial staff that incorporates the official university seal. Beering recognized both men for their leadership roles within the Class of 1950, including the group's efforts that led to the construction of the Class of '50 Lecture Hall. Other recipients of the President's Medal include Frederick R. Ford, retired executive vice president and treasurer, Purdue North Central Chancellor Dale Alspaugh, Michael Rossmann, the Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, and men's basketball coach Gene Keady. The Class of 1950 also unveiled new artwork April 29 in the main lecture hall of the building named for the class. Blakesley said the artwork had remained unchanged for more than eight years because of the difficulty and expense of placing works on the walls of the main lecture hall. "One of the things we wanted in the main lecture hall was the ability to more easily change the displays," Blakesley said. "The new display chronicles the trips to the moon and future space explorations to Mars, but we would like to see the work updated and changed periodically with input from the students and academic deans." The new display was developed and coordinated by the Office of Publications under the direction of David Brannan. Nick Judy, office of publications photographer, designed the space exploration display. The new wall mounting structure was designed by Luiz Andrade, an architect and graduate student from Brazil, Ind., and South America, and Ken Roswarski of physical facilities. CONTACT: Blakesley, (765) 743-2322 To the Purdue News and Photos Page