Purdue News

November 10, 1997

Purdue President's Council celebrates 25 years, honors 17

Elliott received the Silver Ambassador award for his more than 20 years of service to the President's Council. Elliott is a 1936 graduate of Purdue and a retired vice president of Paine, Webber, Jackson and Curtis. He is the son of the university's sixth president, the late Edward C. Elliott.

The council, established in 1972, is made up of Purdue alumni and friends who give $1,000 or more to the university annually.

Ambassador of the Year awards were given to Dr. Robert C. and Marilyn G. Forney of Unionville, Pa. , and Jerome J. "Mick" and Shirley R. McTague of Lafayette . These awards are given to those who recruit the most new members during the year. The Forneys and McTagues share chairmanship of the Class of 1947 Scholarship fund. Robert Forney is a retired vice president of the E.I. duPont de Nemores Co. The McTagues own Fauber Construction Co. in Lafayette.

Distinguished Service Awards were given for significant contributions to the enrichment of Purdue and the President's Council. The 1997 recipients are:

• John A. Bratt, Indianapolis , chief executive officer of Tenax Corp. A Purdue alumnus, Bratt is a former chairman of the President's Council and a former member of the Vision 21 campaign cabinet. He is also an active supporter of athletics through the John Purdue Club, and academics through the Engineering Dean's Club. Other campus involvement includes the Purdue Musical Organization's Director's Club and the Purdue Alumni Association.

• Frederick R. Ford, West Lafayette, executive vice president and treasurer, Purdue University. Ford received his undergraduate (1958), graduate (1959) and doctoral (1963) degrees from Purdue. In addition to the President's Council, Ford is active in the Consumer and Family Sciences Dean's Club, the Purdue Musical Organization's Concert Club and the Purdue Alumni Association. Ford was a member of the Vision 21 fund-raising campaign executive committee.

• George E. Goodwin, Sarasota, Fla , a retired director of the Indiana Department of Highways. Goodwin is a 1930 civil engineering graduate and a member of the John Purdue Club and the Purdue Alumni Association.

• David J. Brannan, West Lafayette, director of the Office of Publications at Purdue. He began his career at the Office of Publications after graduating from Purdue in 1976. He returned to the university as the director in 1992 after working as a development manager in the Communication Systems Office of International Business Machines Inc. The Office of Publications was established in 1925 to design and produce publications for the university.

Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon made a special appearance at the President's Council event to present seven individuals with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest award bestowed by the governor. Five of the awards honored past chairpersons of the President's Council. The other two awards were for extraordinary service to Purdue University and the state of Indiana.

Those named a Sagamore of the Wabash:

• Dr. Steven C. Beering, West Lafayette , president of Purdue since 1983. He is a physician who served as dean and director of the Indiana University Medical Center before coming to Purdue. The award was presented to Beering for his vision and leadership over the past 14 years.

• Charles B. Wise, West Lafayette , vice president for development at Purdue. A 1965 Purdue graduate, Wise has served the university in several positions since then, including director of administrative services and vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. He was promoted to his current position in 1985. The Sagamore of the Wabash award was given in honor of his 32 years of dedication to Purdue.

• John J. Benish, Hinsdale, Ill., president of Cook-Illinois Corp. Benish is a 1959 Purdue graduate and was the 1992-93 President's Council chairman.

• Edgar B. Olson, West Lafayette , chairman of the board and retired president of Kettelhut Construction Co. Olson graduated from Purdue in 1951 and served as the President's Council chairman during 1993-94.

• Lorene J. Burkhart, Indianapolis, publisher of The Register, which recognizes the women of Indianapolis. She is a 1956 graduate of Purdue and chaired the President's Council in 1994-95.

• John A. Bratt, Indianapolis , chief executive officer of Tenax Corp. Bratt is a 1965 Purdue graduate and served as President's Council chairman in 1995-96.

• Daniel J. Meyer, Cincinnati, Ohio, chief executive officer and chairman of Cincinnati Milacron Inc. Meyer is a 1958 Purdue graduate and the 1996-97 President's Council chairman.

Carolyn S. Gery, West Lafayette, executive director of the Purdue President's Council, was honored with a symbolic chair, usually conferred on the council chairpersons, and roses. Gery has served the university and the President's Council since the council's start in 1972.

Source: Carolyn S. Gery, (765) 494-2731; e-mail, cgery@udo.purdue.edu
Writer: Kate Walker (765) 494-2073; e-mail, kate_walker@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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