Purdue president's 'Last Lecture' April 24 in Loeb Playhouse
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - She's had countless interactions with Purdue students - from informal to elaborate events. She's been the face of the university with government and business leaders from West Lafayette to the Far East. Now, as she prepares in the coming months to transition after five years as Purdue's 11th president, France A. Córdova will tie it all together.
Córdova will present her "Last Lecture" and then take questions from students at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (April 24) in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. The event is being hosted by Purdue's Mortar Board - Barbara Cook Chapter, Purdue Student Government and Purdue Graduate Student Government.
"I have so many fond memories of these last five years, but the time I've been able to spend with students is particularly special," Córdova said. "They're the reason any of us choose this career path. I have gained so much just by being around our students and an incredibly gifted faculty and staff, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share some of my thoughts."
Many people are familiar with Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University professor whose final lecture, themed "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," came while he was dying of cancer. The upbeat speech became an Internet sensation.
But the concept of a "Last Lecture" has been around for generations as a way for widely respected faculty or administrators to share advice or insights, as if they were giving their last lecture. Often, the lecturer focuses on what life lessons they would impart.
"We wanted to recognize President Córdova for all she has done at Purdue, and this is a platform where she is able to connect with students," said Tyler Teykl, Mortar Board president and former Purdue student trustee. "Moreover, the 'Last Lecture' allows students the opportunity to see France Córdova, the person. She will be able to take off her president's cap and speak to students, person-to-person. This opportunity is rare for students and allows people to see the woman behind the title and what has shaped her life - her core values, her drive, her successes, her challenges, her knowledge."
Córdova's talk will be webcast live at mms://video1.itap.purdue.edu/LastLecture
To watch online, viewers must have Windows Media Player, which can be downloaded from Microsoft at https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player
Macintosh users will need Windows Media Components for QuickTime also available from the Microsoft link above. An on-demand Windows Media archive will be available after the lecture at mms://video1.itap.purdue.edu/bns/General/Cordova120424.wmv
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Córdova, president@purdue.edu
Tyler Teykl, tteykl@purdue.edu
