Purdue News
November 15, 1996
Purdue President's Council honors five members
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue University President's Council named Lorene Burkhart
of Indianapolis
its Ambassador of the Year and presented her and four other members with Distinguished
Service awards at its annual fall weekend.
The Ambassador of the Year Award goes to the individual who recruited the most new
members during the year. The recipient gets a Purdue clock.
The Distinguished Service Award is given for significant contributions to the enrichment
of Purdue and the President's Council. The recipient is awarded a framed certificate
and a Purdue watch.
The 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 5,300 member households.
The Distinguished Service Award recipients:
- Joseph L. Bennett, West Lafayette
, vice president for university relations at Purdue. Bennett has been vice president
of university relations since 1989. Previously he was director of university relations
and director of public information at Purdue. He came to the university in 1981 from Pennsylvania State University where he was assistant director of public information
and relations. He is a member of the John Purdue Club, PMO Christmas Club and Council
for the Advancement and Support of Education. He is a graduate of Duquesne University.
- Lorene Burkhart, publisher of The Register, which recognizes the women of Indianapolis.
She was chairwoman of the 1995 President's Council and is a member of the School
of Consumer and Family Sciences Roundtable and Stone Society, CFS Dean's Advisory
Council, and the Center for Families Advisory Board at Purdue. She was named a Sagamore
of the Wabash in 1992.
- Esther Norton, West Lafayette.
A Purdue alumnus, she is a member of the Libraries Dean's Club, John Purdue Club
and Purdue Alumni Association. She, too, has received a Sagamore of the Wabash award.
- Michael and Katherine Birck, Hinsdale, Ill.
Michael Birck, a Purdue alumnus, is president, chief executive officer and founder
of Tellabs Inc., Lisle, Ill. He is a member of the Engineering Dean's Club, John
Purdue Club and Purdue Alumni Association. He received the Purdue Schools of Engineering
Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1991 and an honorary doctorate from the schools
in 1995. Katherine "Kate" Birck is head of nursing at the Hinsdale Women's Clinic.
She is a graduate of St. Anthony's Nursing School, now a part of Indiana State University. She also is a member of the Engineering Dean's Club, John Purdue Club and Purdue
Alumni Association.
CONTACT: Carolyn Gery, President's Council executive director, (765) 494-2731; e-mail, cgery@udo.purdue.edu
ler/gery.pcawards/no
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