Three alumnae named as Distinguished Women Scholars

Three Purdue alumnae from three colleges have been selected as 2020 Distinguished Women Scholars for their exceptional leadership and significant contributions to their fields.

The three honorees, who are from the colleges of Agriculture, Liberal Arts, and Health and Human Sciences, are:

* Lynda Ciuffetti, who earned her PhD in plant pathology/plant physiology in 1983 from the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. She is professor emeritus of botany and plant pathology at Oregon State University.

* Cassander (Cassie) Smith, who earned her PhD in early American literature in 2010 from the Department of English. She is currently associate professor of English at the University of Alabama.

* Trisha Van Zandt, who earned her PhD in quantitative psychology in 1992 from the Department of Psychological Sciences. She is currently professor of psychology at Ohio State University.

Due to the March 10 directive from President Mitch Daniels and Provost Jay Akridge, the March 26 reception for the honorees has been postponed. An announcement to reschedule the reception will be made at a later date. For more information, contact the Butler Center at ButlerCenter@purdue.edu.