Appointments, honors and activities

• Faculty and staff honors:

- Purdue Extension pesticide specialist Fred Whitford is the recipient of the 2012 North Central Regional Award for Excellence in Extension for developing an innovative pesticide educational program for farmers and commercial applicators in Indiana. The award was presented Nov. 11 during the 125th annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in Denver. Awards are given annually to an Extension professional in each of five regions of the country who excel at programming, provide visionary leadership and make a positive impact on constituents served. Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture sponsor the awards. Under Whitford's leadership, the Purdue Pesticide Program has helped farmers in Indiana and several other states understand the risks associated with pesticides and providing information on how to mitigate those risks to successfully manage their business.

- Karen S. Yehle, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, was elected as a fellow of the American Heart Association for recognition of scientific and professional accomplishments and volunteer leadership and service. She was recognized by the association earlier this month at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions meeting in November.

- Purdue University's Warehouse and Surplus Department received the Innovative Achievement in Auxiliary Services Award from the National Association of College Auxiliary Services. The department was recognized for its "dedication to addressing the needs of the Purdue community in a manner that is environmentally and fiscally responsible … the operation has distinguished itself as a leader in sustainable operational practices while simultaneously realizing significant cost avoidance and returning considerable funds to university departments." NACAS is a nonprofit higher education association serving auxiliary services, student support services and ancillary services professionals at four-year and two-year colleges and universities in the United States.

- Jim Vruggink, trademark licensing and advertising manager in the Office of Marketing and Media, was inducted Nov. 10 into the Central Michigan University Journalism Hall of Fame. Vruggink, a 1970 CMU graduate, has served as Purdue's sports information director (1982-86), athletics public relations director (1986-2000) and athletics media and public relations director (2000-01). He then held a joint appointment as director of special projects for both Intercollegiate Athletics and University Relations (now Marketing and Media) from 2001 to 2009 before taking his current position. In his work in Athletics, Vruggink coordinated the Heisman Trophy campaigns for quarterback Jim Everett (1985), fullback Mike Alstott (1995) and quarterback Drew Brees (2000). He is a 2004 inductee in the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame. Vruggink also is executive director of the National Football Foundation's Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana, one of NFF's largest. Foundation efforts include raising scholarship funds and operating the College Football Hall of Fame. 

• Notables:

- Former Purdue President France A. Córdova was inducted to the permanent board of directors for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. Córdova, who was Purdue president from July 2007 to July 2012, will serve as a managing member on the CASIS board. The board consists of three scientific members and four managing members. CASIS was selected by NASA in 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station.