Title IX Distinguished Service Award Recipients

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance presented on October 11, 2012, Purdue's Title IX Distinguished Service Award.  The following 40 individuals were recognized and honored for their significant contributions to the advancement of gender equity in education. 

*Presented Posthumously 

Evelyn Blackwood

Evelyn Blackwood is a professor in the Department of Anthropology at Purdue. Her course topics range across a spectrum of issues including gender across cultures, Sexual Diversity in Global Perspective, and Introduction to LGBT Studies, which was offered for this first time this semester.

Dr. Blackwood has published a multitude of scholarly articles and books focusing on world and cultural gender identification and sexuality issues and is a strong advocate for women’s and LGBTQ issues.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, as well as for providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Evelyn Blackwood, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Roger L. Blalock*

Roger L. Blalock was a Purdue graduate and a member of the Boilermakers basketball team. He served as an associate director of admissions and most recently as senior associate athletics director at Purdue.

The women’s intercollegiate athletics programs under his supervision flourished as Mr. Blalock fought for better coaches and resources. When Mr. Blalock was named to the NCAA National Track and Field and Cross Country Committees, he was not satisfied until those NCAA championships provided the same quality experience for the female student athletes as the males.

For his contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we posthumously present to Roger L. Blalock, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Beth Brooke-Marciniak

Beth Brooke-Marciniak is a Purdue graduate and was the first female to receive a basketball scholarship. As the global vice chair of public policy at Ernst and Young, she has global responsibility for the firm’s diversity and inclusiveness efforts and has made name for herself as an outspoken voice for the advancement of women.

Ms. Brooke also chairs the board of the White House Project, an organization designed to ignite the leadership of women in business and politics, and has been named four times to the Forbes annual list of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.” She also serves on the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership at the request of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

For her contributions in providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Beth Brooke, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Morgan J. Burke

Morgan J. Burke served as Purdue University’s athletics director from 1993 to 2017. He earned both his Bachelor’s and his master’s degree at Purdue. His attitude toward an all-inclusive student-athlete experience ensured Purdue’s compliance with both the spirit and letter of Title IX.

Mr. Burke has not only advanced women student athletes, but has advanced the roles of women in leadership positions in sports by mentoring and appointing women to leadership positions at Purdue.

For his contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Morgan J. Burke, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Susan Bulkeley Butler 

Susan Bulkeley Butler, a graduate of the Krannert School of Management, has dedicated much of her life to maximizing opportunities for women. Among her contributions to Purdue is the endowment of the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence, a center offering a wide array of programs and initiative for women at Purdue.

Ms. Butler focuses her efforts on developing women leaders. She has been a voice for equality and encouragement while serving on a large number of organization’s boards.

For her contributions in maximizing institutional and societal resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, as well as for expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we present to Susan Bulkeley Butler, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Martha Oakley Chiscon

Martha Oakley Chiscon earned her PhD from Purdue and is a professor emerita of biological sciences and associate dean of science emerita of Purdue University.

Dr. Chiscon was instrumental in organizing the Women in Science programs. By word and example she encouraged her female students to challenge the concept that women didn’t belong in the male-dominated STEM fields. She also served as a faculty athletic representative to the Big Ten Athletic Conference and the NCAA.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female undergraduate student experience at Purdue, as well as for her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Martha Oakley Chiscon, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Barbara S. Clark 

Barbara S. Clark, a Purdue graduate, is the director of the College of Science’s Science Diversity Office and the Women in Science Program at Purdue.

While serving as the director of the Women in Science Program at Purdue, Ms. Clark developed the Graduate and Undergraduate Mentoring Program, as well as a tutoring program for graduate and undergraduate women in the College of Science. She also serves on the NSF ADVANCE-Purdue Initiative and nationally works with the CIC Women in Science and Engineering peer group.

For her contributions to the expansion of the range and quality of the female student experience, we present to Barbara S. Clark, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Sally Combs-Dunaway

Sally Combs-Dunaway taught physical education and health education at Purdue from 1958 to 1967. She then started the girls athletic program in the West Lafayette Community School Corp. and was athletic director until 1975.

She returned to Purdue to become Purdue’s women’s athletic promotions and public relations director and started a fundraising organization for women’s athletics. She retired in 1988.

For her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate and community school system athletics, as well as for providing local leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Sally Combs-Dunaway, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Barbara Ivy Cook 

Barbara Ivy Cook earned her PhD from Purdue and retired from serving as Purdue’s dean of students in 1989. She served as advisor for Purdue’s chapter of Mortar Board for 30 years. Purdue’s chapter is now named in her honor.

Dr. Cook dedicated her career to advancing women’s career opportunities and creating better student experiences. While at Purdue she served as a representative for women’s interests and fought for their voice to be heard. Dr. Cook also served on statewide and nationwide organizations devoted to improving opportunities for women.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we present to Barbara Ivy Cook, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Cheryl A. Cooky

Cheryl A. Cooky is an assistant professor in the Departments of Health and Kinesiology and Women’s Studies. Her courses focus on women and gender issues in sport.

In her published work, Dr. Cooky has examined Title IX, media representations of female athlete and media coverage of women’s sport. Her work has attracted national and international attention and spurred offers to further fund her research on girls and women’s sport participation.

For her contributions in providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Cheryl A. Cooky, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Nancy Cross

Nancy Cross earned her master’s degree from Purdue and is Purdue’s senior associate athletics director for development and sports and senior woman’s administrator.

Ms. Cross is passionate about opportunities for women and works toward equal recognition, facilities, coaches, and student athlete-experiences. Her voice is highly respected in the Big Ten Conference as well as across the country.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female undergraduate student experience at Purdue, as well as for her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Nancy Cross, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Jane Zimmer Daniels 

Jane Zimmer Daniels earned her PhD from Purdue and is director emerita of the Purdue Women in Engineering Program.

Dr. Daniels served as director for Purdue University’s Women in Engineering Program, the advisor for the Society of Women Engineers Purdue Collegiate Section at Purdue, and is one of the founders of the Women in Engineering Proactive Network. She is regarded as the "mother" of women in engineering programs and has shared her knowledge throughout the nation.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, as well as for providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Jane Zimmer Daniels, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Carol Dewey

Carol Dewey was the first head volleyball coach at Purdue University and retired from coaching in 1994. Every student-athlete that was coached by her and played four years graduated.

Under her guidance, volleyball became Purdue’s first women’s revenue sport and made Purdue’s program the model for other intercollegiate volleyball programs. Ms. Dewey had a tremendous influence on the growth of volleyball as an intercollegiate sport, as well as on the coaching profession.

For her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Carol Dewey, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Carol A. Ecker

Carol A. Ecker was one of the first women graduates of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine. She served on the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1997.

Dr. Ecker currently serves on the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Women’s Initiative Committee and the Purdue Veterinary Medicine Campaign Cabinet. She has been named an Old Master and is very active in opening doors for women within the veterinary medicine profession.

For her contributions in maximizing institutional and societal resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, we present to Carol Ecker, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Barbara Edmondson

Barbara Edmondson is a Purdue graduate and serves on the Libraries’ Dean’s Advisory Council as well as on the Women’s Archives Advisory council. She served on the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2006.

As a trustee, Ms. Edmondson was an advocate for female faculty, staff, and students and worked to make the University accountable in the area of gender equity. Ms. Edmondson serves on a multitude of boards and clubs supporting initiatives and opportunities for women and children.

For her contributions in maximizing institutional resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, we present to Barbara Edmondson, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Zenephia E. Evans

Zenephia E. Evans earned her PhD from Purdue in cell and developmental biology and is the director of Multicultural Science Programs and associate director of diversity.

Dr. Evans constantly works to improve the student experience of women and minorities at Purdue. She has served in a multitude of roles such as counselor, organizer, mentor, professor and as an overall role model for women in higher education and in intercollegiate athletics. The list of organizations that can claim her as a member is immense and focuses on women and minorities at Purdue and in the community.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we present to Zenephia Evans, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Mary Harrison Ford

Mary Harrison Ford earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue. Ms. Ford previously served as the Purdue Women’s Club president as well as the National Alumna vice president for the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity.

Ms. Ford has held a variety of offices in organizations focusing on leadership roles for women, financial support for women in higher education and promoting equal opportunities for all people.

For her contributions in maximizing institutional resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, we present to Mary Harrison Ford, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Monica Gary

Monica Gary is a former supervisor of track and field operations at Purdue. She began her coaching and teaching career in Cleveland, Ohio and spoke out against the discrepancies in the track and field events offered to the female athletes.

Ms. Gary is an outspoken role model who advocates for equal pay for coaches and actively encourages women to become coaches. Ms. Gary also coached one of the first girl’s track and field’s teams to compete in the Ohio State Championships.

For her contributions in the advancement of women in intercollegiate and high school athletics, we present to Monica Gary, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

LaNelle E. Geddes

LaNelle E. Geddes was a professor of nursing. She arrived at Purdue in 1975 to serve as the assistant head of the Purdue School of Nursing.

Dr. Geddes was instrumental in instituting a four-year nursing baccalaureate program as well as starting the Freshman Scholars. She challenged the role of nurses as just a doctor’s assistant and pushed her students to expand their roles in a traditionally female profession.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female experience at Purdue, as well as for the promotion of gender equity in the academic community,  LaNelle Geddes received the Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Eva L. Goble

Eva L. Goble was dean of the School of Home Economics, now called the College of Health and Human Sciences. During her tenure as dean, the school’s enrollment nearly doubled.

Dr. Goble was a tireless advocate for women in leadership positions and actively encourages women through phone calls and emails to run for office and to take on more prominent roles.

For her contributions to expanding the range and quality of the female experience at Purdue, as well as for providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, Eva Goble received Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Leah H. Jamieson

Leah H. Jamieson is the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering and Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She is the co-founder and past director of the EPICS program at Purdue.

Dr. Jamieson has led efforts to create committees and programs dedicated to ensuring women faculty, staff and students are an integral part of and play a key role in the success of Purdue’s College of Engineering.

For her contributions to the advancement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we present to Leah Jamieson, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Carolyn E. Johnson

Carolyn E. Johnson earned her PhD from Purdue and is the director of the Diversity Resource Office at Purdue.

Dr. Johnson is the former national president of the United Methodist Women, an organization that focuses on developing women and creating programs for women, children and youth around the world. Dr. Johnson has championed opportunities for women and locally, nationally, and internationally.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, as well as for providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Carolyn Johnson, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Laura Reasoner Jones

Laura Reasoner Jones is a Purdue graduate and the founder and director of the Girls Excelling in Math and Science Club.

Her club and the Society of Women Engineers formed a partnership to encourage more young girls to pursue the STEM disciplines. Ms. Jones is also founder and director of the design and engineering lab at McNair Elementary school where she instructs and mentors girls and minorities in computer programming, video editing, and robotics.

For her contributions in providing national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Laura Reasoner Jones, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Dorothy Leland

Dorothy Leland earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees from Purdue. She is the Chancellor of the University of California, Merced.

While at Purdue, Dr. Leland served as the founding director of the Women’s Resource Office as well as director of the Women’s Studies Program. She has served and continues to serve in a variety of national leadership positions focusing on gender equity.

For her contributions in providing local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Dorothy Leland, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Joan L. Marshall

Joan L. Marshall was the senior associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts, college coordinator for affirmative action, and the college liaison to the CLA Diversity Action Committee and other campus offices for diversity.

Dr. Marshall served as the original liaison for the College of Liberal Arts Sexual Harassment Advisor’s Network. She also worked to ensure an equitable hiring process for faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and focused on recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty body.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we present to Joan Marshall, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Sally Mason

Sally Mason earned her master’s degree in biological science from Purdue and is the president emerita of the University of Iowa.

Dr. Mason also served as provost at Purdue. During her tenure as provost, she oversaw an increase in the number of female faculty and worked to centralize diversity efforts. Her efforts also included increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in the student body, faculty, and staff.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we present to Sally Mason, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Tamara E. Morse

Tamara E. Morse earned her bachelor’s, master’s and MBA from Purdue. She is a financial planner and owner of Morse Financial Group.

Ms. Morse served as vice president and president of the Purdue Alumni Association and served on the board of the President’s Cabinet for the Campaign for Purdue. She also created the Tamara Morse Purdue Alumnae Leadership Initiative.

For her contributions to maximizing institutional resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, we present to Tamara Morse, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Carolyn Peck 

Carolyn Peck is a former head coach of the Purdue Women’s Basketball team. She is a basketball analyst for ESPN.

Ms. Peck began her career in basketball by playing in high school and in college for Vanderbilt University. She has been an assistant coach for the University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky and twice for the US Women’s Basketball Team. As head coach of Purdue’s women’s basketball team, she was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1999. She became the head coach of the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle, and returned to collegiate level to serve as head coach at the University of Florida.

For her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Carolyn Peck, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Robert L. Ringel*

Robert L. Ringel earned his PhD from Purdue. During his career at Purdue he served as a faculty member, department head, dean, and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Ringel had a long standing tradition of ensuring deserving women were encouraged and promoted and worked to make certain they had the same opportunities for advancement. Many of the women whom he promoted went on to advance their careers in even more distinguished positions.

For his contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we posthumously present to Robert Ringel, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Margaret Moan Rowe

Margaret Moan Rowe is a professor emerita at Purdue. She has served as an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, head of the Department of English, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and associate provost of the University.

Dr. Rowe has been a role model, teacher and advisor for hundreds of female students. She has been a champion of salary equity for women across campus, and helped establish the Purdue University Women’s Studies Program.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, as well as for her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we present to Margaret Moan Rowe, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Amy Ruley

Amy Ruley is a Purdue graduate. She is the associate athletic director for development at North Dakota State University.

Ms. Ruley was a member on Purdue University’s first female varsity basketball team. She peacefully protested on campus to urge the athletics department to accept responsibility for women’s sports opportunities. After graduation, she began a career as a coach and has received a multitude of accolades for her coaching skills. She has also encouraged other women to join the coaching profession.

For her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, we present to Amy Ruley, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Clara Bell Sessions*

Clara Bell Sessions was a professor emerita and a former director of continuing education in Nursing. She served as a cabinet member on the Human Rights Committee of the American Nurses Association and also helped establish the Minority Student Nurses’ Association.

In 1988, Professor Sessions, along with colleagues at Purdue, formed the Minority Faculty Fellows to encourage and support Purdue’s hiring of more minority faculty members.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, as well as for providing national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we posthumously present to Clara Bell Sessions, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Helen Blanche Schleman*

Helen Blanche Schleman was director of the first women’s residence hall at Purdue. She left Purdue to serve in the Women’s Coast Guard during World War II, and then later returned to serve as dean of women.

During her time as dean she ended the curfew for women students and spearheaded a freshman conference program for women. After her retirement as dean, she became the founder and first director of the Span plan.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we posthumously present to Helen Blanche Schleman,Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Beverley Stone*

Beverley Stone began her career at Purdue as an advisor to student organizations in the Office of the Dean of Women.

Ms. Stone also served as dean of women. During her time as dean, she ensured that female student’s voices were heard by requiring their appointment to faculty committees and by giving them “speaking seats” at the Board of Trustees meetings. In 1974, she was named the first female dean of students.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, as well as for her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we posthumously present to Beverly Stone, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Dorothy C. Stratton*

Dorothy C. Stratton was named dean of women at Purdue in 1933.

During her time as dean, Dr. Stratton oversaw an increase in enrollment of female students from 500 to over 1,400, as well as the construction of three new women’s residence halls and the creation of a liberal science program for women in the School of Science.

Dr. Stratton also created and directed the Women’s Reserve of the Coast guard. A coast guard ship has been named in her honor.

For her contributions to maximizing institutional resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, as well as for her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we posthumously present to Dorothy C. Stratton, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Beverly Davenport Sypher

Beverly Davenport Sypher served as Purdue's vice provost for faculty affairs. She was also a professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication and the chair of the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence.

Dr. Sypher is the founder and organizer of the Purdue Conference for Pre-Tenure Women and has also developed the Distinguished Women Scholars Program and was a co-founder of the Purdue Women Lead initiative. She served as a role model and a mentor for female students and faculty and constantly works to advancing women’s opportunities on campus and across the nation.

For her contributions in maximizing institutional and societal resources to broaden the access and opportunity of women in higher education, as well as for her local and national leadership on issues related to gender equity in education at all levels, we present to Beverly Davenport Sypher, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Emily M. Wadsworth

Emily M. Wadsworth earned her PhD from Purdue and served as the assistant director for the Women in Engineering Program.

Dr. Wadsworth created and administrated the undergraduate and graduate mentoring programs for females in the college of engineering. Among her contributions to Purdue is an award in her name which recognizes a graduate engineering student for mentoring women. She also served as a mentor for the Purduettes.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, as well as for maximizing institutional and societal resources to broaden access and opportunity to women in higher education, we present to Emily Wadsworth, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Sarah J. (Sally) Watlington

Sally Watlington is a Purdue graduate. Ms. Watlington has been involved with the board of the local YWCA Foundation as well as the Purdue Alumni Association and the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette.

Ms. Watlington opened doors for women in the military at a time when it was very uncommon for a female to consider the armed forces. Capt. Watlington served in the Navy for 23 years and served as the NROTC executive officer at Purdue from 1976-1979.

For her contributions in expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we present to Sally Watlington, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

 Helen Bass Williams*

Helen Bass Williams arrived in 1968 as the first African American Professor at Purdue.

Before her arrival Purdue, she served as a teacher, administrator, public health worker, and the director of Mississippi Action for Progress. Her call for equality continued at Purdue and led to the establishment of numerous diversity efforts at Purdue, including the Black Cultural Center. Ms. Williams also played a leading role in the establishment of the Academic Success Center.

For her contributions to the achievement of gender equity at all levels of the academic community, we posthumously present to Helen Bass Williams, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.

Toyinda Wilson-Long

Toyinda Wilson-Long is a Purdue graduate and served as the supervisor of track and field operations in the Purdue Athletics Department.

Ms.Wilson-Long has served as the assistant director of the Science Diversity Office, and directed the Undergraduate Women in Science Program. She serves as a role model, mentor and coach to many women and constantly works to ensure women and minorities have opportunities to succeed.

For her contributions to the advancement of women in intercollegiate athletics, as well as for expanding the range and quality of the female student experience at Purdue, we present to Toyinda Wilson-Long, Purdue’s Title IX Distinguished Service Award.