Purdue News

June 30, 1989 Bennett Named Vice President for University Relations West Lafayette, Ind. – Joseph L. Bennett, director of university relations at Purdue University since 1985, has been named vice president for university relations, effective Saturday (7/1). Purdue's Board of Trustees confirmed the appointment Friday (6/30). Bennett, a native of Bradford, Pa., is a graduate of St. Bernard High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bennett, 5 Cherry Court, Lewis Run, Pa. "Joe Bennett has been an outstanding partner and trusted colleague," Dr. Steven C. Beering, president, said. ''I am pleased to recognize his remarkable abilities and multiple contributions with this promotion to a vice presidency." Bennett's responsibilities include overseeing three departments: University News Service, Office of Publications and Office of Communication Relations. He also serves as Purdue's official spokesman to the news media. Bennett came to Purdue in 1981 as director of the Office of Public Information (now University News Service) after serving two-and-a-half years as manager of the news bureau and assistant director of public information at Pennsylvania State University. He also has been a magazine writer and copy editor at the Pittsburgh Press and a makeup editor and copy editor at the Indianapolis News. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Duquesne University. A member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, he is former president of the Indiana Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Under his direction, the news bureaus at Penn State and Purdue have won numerous awards from CASE including the Grand Award for Excellence in News Writing (1980), the Exceptional Achievement Award for Excellence in News Writing (1983) and a silver medal for public information programs (1985). He is past president of the Lafayette area chapter of the American Lung Association and a member of Lafayette Rotary and Greater Lafayette, Chamber of Commerce. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page