A meeting of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. 

Committee members present were: JoAnn Brouillette, chair; Kevin Boes, Vanessa Castagna; Shawn Taylor; and Professor Brian Leung, (ex officio). Other trustees present: Sonny Beck; Michael Berghoff; Theresa Carter; Malcolm DeKryger; Michael Klipsch; and Gary Lehman. 

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mung Chiang, president; Patrick Wolfe, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity; Chris Ruhl, chief financial officer and treasurer; Eva Nodine, senior vice president, assistant treasurer, and assistant secretary; Steve Schultz, senior vice president and general counsel; Cindy Ream, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; and Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor, Purdue University Fort Wayne.

I. POSTHUMOUS DEGREES

Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to award a posthumous Bachelor of Science degree to Chloe Hannah. Chloe served in the Naval ROTC program and majored in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering. She was from Annapolis, Maryland and had earned, including her ROTC program credits, enough credits to qualify for a posthumous degree meeting 85% of the credit requirements.  She held multiple leadership positions within the ROTC organization.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to award posthumous degree to Chloe Hannah.

Next Provost Wolfe requested approval to award a posthumous Master of Science degree to Brent Kreinop. He noted that Brent was studying for his Master of Science Degree in Defense Engineering Technology and was a resident of Indiana. Brent was a lifelong learner and was working toward his Masters while being employed at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in southern Indiana. Mr. Kreinop completed his 36 credit hours and meets the requirements for a posthumous degree.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to award posthumous degree to Brent Kreinop.

II. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE ACCENTURE PROFESSORSHIP OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE DANIELS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Hu as The Accenture Professor of Information Technology in the Daniels School of Business. He shared that Dr. Hu is an expert on AI and digital economy. He noted that Dr. Hu has received multiple teaching awards and his work has been highlighted in major publications. Provost Wolfe respectfully submitted for approval the appointment Dr. Jeffrey Hu as The Accenture Professor of Information Technology in the Daniels School of Business. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to appoint Dr. Jeffrey Hu, The Accenture Professorship of Information Technology in the Daniels School of Business. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Hu commented that he is grateful for his return to Purdue and thankful for the appointment.

III. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE THOMAS J. HOWATT CHAIR IN MANAGEMENT IN THE DANIELS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Allison Gabriel as the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management in the Daniels School of Business. Dr. Gabriel is an internationally renowned scholar, and her research is primarily about how employees thrive at work and at home. She is the recipient of five early and mid-career achievement awards. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Allison Gabriel as the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Gabriel’s appointment as the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Gabriel thanked her husband and expressed her excitement to return to the Midwest and being at Purdue. 

IV. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE EMANUEL T. WEILER PROFESSOR OF MANAGEMENT IN THE DANIELS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Gus De Franco as the Emanuel T. Weiler Professor of Management in the Daniels School of Business. Dr. De Franco is regarded as a leading scholar in capital markets-based accounting research. He currently serves as the editor of a top-5 accounting journal. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Gus De Franco as the Emanuel T. Weiler Professor of Management in the Daniels School of Business.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Gus De Franco’s appointment as the Emanuel T. Weiler Professor of Management in the Daniels School of Business. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. De Franco thanked his wife, his family, colleagues, and students. He also thanked the board and noted that he is very proud to be part of Purdue and excited about the trajectory that the Daniels School of Business is on. He looks forward to contributing as it moves forward.

V. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT FREDERICK L. HOVDE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Lucy Flesch as the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. He shared that Dr. Flesch has been at Purdue for several years and is a Purdue Alumnus. Dr. Flesch brings a wealth of leadership experience to the position through her past role as Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs for the College of Science. She has led efforts to hire the best faculty talent to ensure success. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Lucy Flesch as the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Lucy Flesch’s appointment as the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Flesch began by thanking her husband for his support. She thanked Provost Wolfe and President Chiang for giving her the opportunity. She shared that she is grateful for the positive and supportive leadership at Purdue.

VI. (WL) APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE GLENN W. SAMPLE DEAN OF AGRICULTURE

Provost Wolfe recommended the appointment of Dr. Bernard Engel as the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. He shared that Dr. Engel brings a wealth of leadership experience through his past roles as Senior Associate Dean for Agricultural Research and Graduate Education for the College of Agriculture; Head of Agricultural and Biological Engineering where he took the program to the #1 ranking. Dr. Engel was the Founding Director of the Purdue University Discovery Park Center for the Environment. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. Bernard Engel as the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. Engel’s appointment as the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Engel shared that he is grateful for the opportunity and to continue to be a Boilermaker. He commented that there is no better role for a Dean in Agriculture than the one at Purdue. 

VII. APPROVAL TO APPOINT THE DR. SAMUEL R. ALLEN DEAN OF THE MITCHELL E. DANIELS, JR. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Provost Wolfe began by reminding the committee that Dr. Bullard was named the dean in August, 2023 but because the deanship is named, today he is recommending his appointment as the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. He shared that Dr. Bullard brings outstanding and unique leadership experience through his past role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Dr. Bullard is one of the most influential economists in the world. Provost Wolfe respectfully requested approval to appoint Dr. James Bullard as the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of Dr. James Bullard’s appointment as the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

Dr. Bullard stated that he is very excited to be at Purdue and that he is dedicated to making DSB one of the top business schools in the nation. He thanked everyone for being so welcoming and for the honor bestowed today.

VIII. APPROVAL TO RENAME THE VETERANS SUCCESS CENTER THE DOROTHY STRATTON VETERAN AND MILITARY SUCCESS CENTER

Provost Wolfe recommended the approval to rename The Veterans Success Center the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center. He shared that Dorothy Stratton lived to be 107 years old. She was Purdue’s first full-time Dean of Women from 1933-1942 and then went on to be the founding director of the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve during World War II. Provost Wolfe noted it is an honorary naming and adding ‘Military’ to the organization name will reflect a more inclusive space. The naming committee believes that this is an appropriate recognition of Captain Stratton’s legacy and leadership to Purdue and the Nation. 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to rename the Veterans Success Center the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

IX. APPROVAL OF NAME CHANGE FROM DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND PHYSICAL PHARMACY TO DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS

Provost Wolfe recommended the approval to rename the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy to Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics. He noted that the proposed name change will bring the department name into the modern era of pharmaceutics and align the department with other departments/divisions in the top 25 US News and World Report College of Pharmacy rankings. Provost Wolfe mentioned that when prospective PhD students and graduate students search for programs in “pharmaceutics” this will ensure Purdue’s program is visible and reflective of the work in drug discovery, delivery, and development.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to change the name from Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy to Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

X. APPROVAL OF NAME CHANGE FROM DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY TO BORCH DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY

Provost Wolfe recommended for approval to change the name from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology to the Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. He shared that Dr. Richard Borch is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue. The request honors the longstanding generosity and future gifts from Richard and Anne Borch.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Academic and Student Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the name change from Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology to the Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

XI. UNIVERSITY SENATE REPORT

University Senate Chair, Professor Leung shared current topics of discussion within the senate, listed below.

• Communication between Administration and University Senate
• A.I. Potential and hazards in academic settings
• DEI at Purdue University
• Hiring, Promotion and Tenure
• Graduate Student Compensation
• Sustainability plans for Purdue University
• President Chiang’s One Hour Challenge results
• Action Council participation
• Senate Documents
• Newsletter at Purdue University Senate website 

A copy of Professor Leung’s presentation was filed with the minutes.

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 9:36 a.m.