Appointments, honors and activities
April 18, 2014
• Faculty and staff honors:
- Natalia Dudareva, distinguished professor of biochemistry and horticulture, has been awarded the 2014 Purdue Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award. The award announcement was made April 2 at the annual banquet for the Purdue chapter of Sigma Xi, a global science and engineering scholarly society that brings together scientists from across disciplines to exchange idea. The Purdue Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award, first given in 1950, includes $1,000 and a commemorative plaque. Her research focuses on the biochemistry of plant primary and secondary metabolism with emphasis on the biosynthesis of plant volatiles and their contribution to floral scents and plant defense.
- Four Purdue University Libraries professors were recently selected as 2013 Top Twenty Article authors by the American Library Association's (ALA's) Library Instructional Round Table's Top Twenty Committee. Catherine Fraser Riehle, associate professor of library science, and Sharon A. Weiner, professor and W. Wayne Booker Chair in Information Literacy, were chosen for their article, "High-impact educational practices: An exploration of the role of information literacy." Also, associate professors Amy Van Epps and Megan Sapp Nelson were selected for their article, "One-shot or embedded? Assessing different delivery timing for information resources relevant to assignments."
- The inaugural class of the Launching Tomorrow's Leaders program graduated in March. Sponsored by Jim Almond, senior vice president for business services and assistant treasurer, the 18-month program focused on university management topics and issues in higher education. At the conclusion of the program, participants completed projects to meet the needs of the university, while providing practical experience in a different area of responsibility. Staff graduating from the program were Steve George, assistant director of physical plant fiscal affairs at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne; Christy Haddock, director of financial affairs for the Office of the Vice president for Research and Discovery Park; Cherise Hall, director of financial affairs for the College of Agriculture; Amanda Hamaker, assistant director of Sponsored Program Services pre-award; Kristi Hartwick, director of financial affairs for the Executive Offices; John Higgins, special projects manager for Office of Budget and Fiscal Planning; Jolene King, former director of Physical Facilities fiscal affairs; Brock Martin, director of accounting at Purdue University North Central; Terri Mimms, assistant director of Office of Treasury Operations; and Andrew Robison, director of facilities for University Residences.
• Notables:
- The Information and Telecommunications Education and Research Association has recognized Purdue's computer and information technology degree program concentration in network engineering technology as a program of excellence. The degree program is offered by the College of Technology. The Purdue program provides hands-on experiences in all of its networking classes, said Ray Hansen, clinical assistant professor of computer and information technology and president of ITERA. The curricula includes courses that address the operational elements of technology, the management and maintenance of technology, and the security of that technology. Only one program is recognized by ITERA annually. ITERA brings together educators, researchers, industry leaders and policy makers to help advance telecommunications science.