Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 11, 2004 Entomology professor named director of Purdue honors programWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Christian Oseto, professor of entomology and former head of the Department of Entomology, will be director of Purdue's recently established University Honors Program, effective immediately.
Provost Sally Mason announced the appointment Tuesday (May 11) after working with a faculty and staff committee that recommended Oseto following an internal search. Purdue's first honors program to function universitywide will begin some exercises this fall and be fully developed by fall 2005. Oseto, who came to Purdue in 1990 and served as head of the entomology department from 1990 to 1999, already functions as a mentor for honor students at Purdue as an adviser for the Golden Key International Honour Society, an organization for Purdue honor students. "We are delighted that Chris will be leading this vital initiative," Mason said. "His broad background in teaching and administration, as well as his work with Golden Key, make him a perfect fit for this important position." Oseto received his master's and doctoral degrees in entomology from the University of Nebraska in 1968 and 1973. He earned his bachelor's degree at Chicago's Roosevelt University in 1964. Among Oseto's various honors and awards is the 2004 Outstanding Teacher Award in the School of Agriculture, the 2003 Entomological Society of America (ESA) Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching, and the ESA's Outstanding Education Award in 2000. Oseto also served as president of the ESA in 1999. In January the University Senate unanimously approved a proposal to establish the University Honors Program. Purdue's program will be modeled after the Chancellor's Scholars program at the University of Illinois, which admits about 125 first-year students each year from all undergraduate curricula. Purdue's universitywide program will work collaboratively with honors programs that already exist in several Purdue schools. "Chris will work with a faculty curriculum committee to further define how the program will function," Mason said. "He and the committee will collaborate in overseeing the program." As defined by the proposal approved by the University Senate, the University Honors Program seeks to: • Attract students with exceptional potential who will thrive in a nurturing and demanding academic community. • Beckon imaginative and enthusiastic faculty from across the university to a great adventure in learning. • Collaborate with existing honors programs in the schools of Agriculture, Consumer and Family Sciences, Liberal Arts, Science and the College of Engineering. Students can participate in programs at the university, school and departmental levels. Writer: Amy Raley, (765) 494-9573, araley@purdue.edu Sources: Sally Mason, (765) 494-9709, sfmason@purdue.edu Christian Oseto, (765) 494-4554, osetoc@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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