Indiana Society of Chicago

Indiana Society of Chicago to honor university, Purdue Research Foundation

The dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Fairmont Hotel's Imperial Ballroom. Each December, the society recognizes outstanding Indiana institutions and leaders.

The Indiana Society of Chicago was founded in 1905 by Purdue alumni George Ade and John T. McCutcheon, who had both moved to Chicago after graduating from Purdue. Society members include those from Indiana who are currently in the Chicago area in the fields of business, government and education.

The society also provides scholarship assistance to Chicago area students attending Indiana colleges and universities. This year, it will award three scholarships to Purdue students.

"This year's program will kick off our second century, and we've planned with great enthusiasm," said Jason F. Brist, president of the Indiana Society of Chicago. "Not many organizations survive and thrive over 100 years as the Indiana Society has. It speaks to the warm feeling that all Hoosiers have for Indiana, their desire to meet new kindred spirits and for the great pride we take in celebrating our own."

Entertainment will include performances from the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and Purdue Jazz Band and comedian John Pinette. Miss Indiana Betsy Uschkrat also will make an appearance.

Purdue University, founded in 1869, is composed of a main campus in West Lafayette and enrolls more than 69,000 students systemwide. The university enrolls students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries. Purdue is known for its top-ranked programs in engineering, management and pharmacy.

Established in 1930, the Purdue Research Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that is legally constituted to accept gifts, administer trusts, acquire property, negotiate research contracts and perform other services helpful to Purdue. As part of its $550 million in holdings, the foundation owns more than 130 properties, including the Purdue Research Park, named best research park in the country in 2004 by its peers in the 120-member Association of University Research Parks. The park is home to the most high-technology companies in Indiana as well as the largest university-affiliated business incubator in the country.

Sources: Jason F. Brist, (312) 494-2904, jbrist@natgeochannel.com

Madeleine Lebedow, (847) 673-2013, IndianaSociety@aol.com

Note to Journalists: This release is being distributed by Purdue University on behalf of the Indiana Society of Chicago. Media can attend the reception and dinner. For more information or for dinner tickets, contact Jason F. Brist at (312) 494-2904, jbrist@natgeochannel.com, or Madeleine Lebedow, (847) 673-2013, IndianaSociety@aol.com