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November 17, 2001

Purdue President's Council called to next-level leadership role

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue President Martin C. Jischke urged the university's most generous benefactors to raise enthusiasm, determination and dollars to lift Purdue to its next level during President's Council award ceremonies Friday (11/16) and Saturday (11/17).

"Today we are on a course to build on a scale that this university has never attempted before," Jischke said. "It was a historic moment two weeks ago when our board of trustees approved five-year strategic plans for Purdue. Today we are beginning the job of building this university to the next level – preeminence and world leadership."

Jischke praised council members for being the university's foundation of giving. To meet the university's plans and goals, however, he said the university will need to raise at least $1 billion.

"The big beneficiaries of what we are doing will be our students and the state of Indiana. We must be the faithful stewards of Purdue in the 21st century. We must be the ones who create opportunities for youth today so that they can build a better tomorrow," Jischke said.

During this President's Council annual weekend – two days of awards, activities, fellowship and football – the council presented four new awards for philanthropy, four distinguished service awards and one award for recruitment efforts. The council also inducted its new chairman.

Outgoing chairman Donald R. Roach of Barrington, R.I., was named the council's Ambassador of the Year Saturday (11/17) for recruiting the most new members during the year. Roach, who is finishing his second year as council chairman, is a 1952 mechanical engineering graduate. He and his wife, Nancy, also are members of the Engineering Dean's Club, Purdue Musical Organizations Director's Club, the John Purdue Club and the Purdue Alumni Association. Roach also serves as a member of the Class of '52 fund drive and the School of Mechanical Engineering Advisory Committee.

The council also awarded four Distinguished Pinnacle Awards – a new recognition for leadership gifts and philanthropic contributions to the university.

The Distinguished Pinnacle Award winners were:

• Jerry S. Rawls, Los Altos, Calif., a 1968 Krannert School alumnus and Silicon Valley executive. Rawls gave $10 million to build the $35 million Rawls Hall, the centerpiece in the Krannert School's $55 million "Krannert at the Frontier" campaign. The building's groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday (11/16). Rawls is the president of Finisar Corp., which develops and manufactures fiber optic subsystems and test systems for high-speed data communications. In addition to his master's degree and honorary doctorate in industrial administration from Purdue, Rawls holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University.

• Richard F. Shively, Santa Fe, N.M. Shively is a 1941 graduate from the Purdue School of Science. He recently pledged $2 million toward the university's athletic programs including what will be known as the Shively Media Center and Shively Stadium Club, two components of a four-story pavilion at Ross-Ade Stadium , now undergoing a $70 million renovation. His lifetime contribution to Purdue is $5 million. The former journalist and broadcaster purchased the Lafayette television station WFAM, which he renamed WLFI. Shively sold the station in 1978, and the CBS affiliate remains in operation. Shively's father, Clarence, was a member of the Class of 1915 and later an engineering professor. The retired Lafayette-area businessman resides in Santa Fe with his wife, Dottie.

• Robert L. and Doris E. Holloway, Middletown, Ky. Doris Holloway is a 1947 liberal arts graduate, and Robert Holloway is a 1948 humanities graduate. The couple pledged $1.5 million new $17.1 million Boilermaker Aquatic Center, which was dedicated in October. The competition pool is named for Mrs. Holloway, who was unable to attend the council award ceremony. The family owns and operates three swimming clubs in the Louisville, Ky. area. The Holloways' four children graduated from Purdue.

The Distinguished Pinnacle Award recipients contributed to projects featured in recent Discover Purdue Week events, part of a yearlong a campaign to highlight the university's projects, programs and aspirations.

Two couples also received Distinguished Service Awards for their contributions to Purdue and the President's Council. The Distinguished Service Award recipients were:

• Peter S. and Sally Kay, Cincinnati, Ohio. Peter Kay, a business consultant, is a 1966 doctoral chemistry alumnus. He has served on the dean of science's advisory board. While at Purdue Kay was the freshman coach of the Crew Club and has been an Olympic official for the crew race team. He is a member of Leadership Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. They are members of the Purdue Science Investors, the R. B. Stewart Society members, John Purdue Club, Pharmacy Dean’s Club Inner Circle and the Purdue Alumni Association. The couple is also involved in supporting the Cancer Center.

• Gordon E. and Carole Lizer Mallett, Zionsville, Ind. Gordon Mallett earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1949, master's degree in biology in 1952 and doctoral degree in biology in 1956. He is a retired quality assurance director with Eli Lilly and Co. He is a member of the Purdue Campaign Leadership Committee and active in the Purdue Alumni Club of Indianapolis. Mrs. Mallett earned a 1950 pharmacy degree. She is a former school counselor who also involved with fund raising for the Indianapolis symphony. They are members of the Science Dean's Executive Circle, John Purdue Club, Liberal Arts Dean’s Roundtable and the Purdue Alumni Association.

In addition to the award ceremonies, the council also inducted new chairman William Cordier, a 1949 Purdue graduate in mechanical engineering. Last year's vice chairman and a 1999 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Cordier and his wife, Gail, also belong to the John Purdue Club, Engineering Dean's Club and the Purdue Alumni Association. In 1995, Cordier received honors as an outstanding mechanical engineer. He has served on the School of Mechanical Engineering Dean's Advisory Board. The Cordiers also created the William K. and Gail E. Cordier Endowed Scholarship and Fellowship Fund. The couple lives in Hudson, Ohio, and Naples, Fla.

Established in 1972, the council comprises approximately 5,399 families that give more than $1,000 annually and 647 corporations that have made cumulative gifts of more than $100,000 to the university.

Carolyn S. Gery, associate vice president for advancement and executive director of the President's Council, said council members were instrumental in helping Purdue reach a new level of private support. During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, which ended June 30, total gifts and pledges rose from $113.3 million to $173.9 million. President's Council members were responsible for $103.2 million of the total giving, a 36 percent increase from the previous year.

Writer: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2073, gflora@purdue.edu

Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Carolyn S. Gery, (765) 494-2731; pc@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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