Presidential Safety Award

The Presidential Safety Award is awarded to individuals or groups that have made significant accomplishment in improving safety at Purdue University. The award is presented at Environmental Health and Safety’s annual Safety Summit and Expo. The President or his designee will present a plaque to the individual or group in recognition of the safety achievement.

Nomination Form

Dave Lucas

Dave has reinvigorated Operations and Maintenance (O&M) safety by strengthening employee engagement and fostering a more collaborative, people-focused safety culture. Over the past year, he has helped energize safety teams through open communication, hands-on involvement and consistent follow-through on concerns. Dave also champions employee recognition across O&M, celebrating both everyday successes and major milestones that reinforce Purdue’s commitment to safety. His leadership was instrumental in launching the Facilities Operations and Environmental Health and Safety (FOEHS) Safety Reward Program and guiding supervisors in motivating their teams. Dave’s supportive approach and commitment to continuous improvement have made a meaningful impact on safety across the organization.

Savannah Peterson

From Facilities Operations in the College of Science, Savannah is recognized for her outstanding dedication to improving safety within Purdue’s research laboratories. She routinely goes above and beyond in preparing labs for new occupants, tackling the detailed work of identifying, documenting and submitting hundreds, sometimes thousands, of chemical containers for proper disposal. Her accuracy and organization greatly streamline hazardous materials processing and help ensure safe, compliant lab transitions. Savannah’s proactive communication, meticulous attention to detail and consistently positive attitude have set a high standard for collaboration and safety. Her commitment makes her an invaluable asset to the research community and the university.