November 11, 2004

Crystal Apple Awards to honor top educators

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University School of Education on Friday (Nov. 12) will honor 13 Indiana educators and friends with Crystal Apple Awards for their outstanding contributions to education.

The Crystal Apple Awards are sponsored by the school's Dean's Club. Members nominate educators who have shown consistent commitment to making a difference in students' lives.

"The Crystal Apple Awards give the School of Education a chance to honor educators and friends not only for their exemplary skills in the classroom, but also for the extra time and effort they put into helping students grow as people," said School of Education Dean George W. Hynd. "These exceptional individuals exemplify the kind of committed educators who strive to make Indiana schools some of the best in the nation."

This year, honorees are Robert Dalton, Doug Klumpe, Dee Lohman, Robyn Lynch, Peggy Motes, Joseph Ruhl, Jim Sands, Pat Vasil, CSX Transportation and Stephen Watson, and Karen Yates. Dana Farrell, Vicki Hooker and Nancy Piggott will be honored together for their work as a team of teachers.

Dalton earned master's and doctoral degrees from Purdue in 1957 and 1964 respectively. He is the retired deputy superintendent of the Indiana Department of Education, and is being recognized for his role in mentoring teachers and administrators throughout the state. He was nominated by James Auter.

Klumpe teaches algebra, precalculus and calculus at West Lafayette High School, and coaches the girls' volleyball team. He is being recognized for excellence in math education and the rigor of his classes, as well his work as a mentor for Purdue student-teachers. He was nominated by Kevin Kelly.

Lohman earned a doctorate from Purdue in 2002 and works as the coordinator for special education services at the Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corp. She oversees more than 80 special education teachers and 80 paraprofessionals at 13 schools, and is being recognized for the personal attention she gives to students throughout the corporation. She was nominated by fellow honoree Dalton.

Lynch, who earned a Purdue bachelor's degree in 1988, is principal of Oak Trace Elementary School in Westfield. Among other projects, she has overseen the construction and use of an outdoor learning facility and the school's selection as a statewide role model for Literacy for Life Initiative. Lynch was nominated by Gerald and Sharon Krockover.

Motes, who earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1968, serves as the planetarium director for the Muncie Community Schools. She has received several national teaching awards, and is recognized for creativity in science education and the development of programs to teach students about space and space exploration. She was nominated by Abe and Lisa Cross.

Ruhl earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue's School of Education in 1977 and 1980, respectively. A biology teacher and science department chair at Lafayette's Jefferson High School, he has won several state and national teaching awards. Ruhl is being recognized for contributions to science education research. He was nominated by James Lehman.

Sands is the director of Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS), a program that works with area children who have disabilities and special needs. During his time with the program, Sands has helped to foster stronger collaborations with Purdue and the School of Education. He was nominated by Lyle Lloyd.

Vasil earned a Purdue master's degree in 1972 and currently works as a second-grade teacher at Spring Mill Elementary School in Indianapolis. Her award recognizes her commitment to the school's peer mediation program and conflict resolution curriculum, as well as her role in mentoring many student-teachers. She was nominated by Abe and Lisa Cross.

CSX Transportation and Watson are longtime supporters of higher education. Watson is an executive and transportation and railroad consultant. CSX and Watson were nominated by Vic and Sheila Klinker.

Yates received a master's degree from the School of Education in 1997. Having taught special education English, history and math classes, she now oversees McCutcheon High School's program for students with severe and profound disabilities. She is recognized for her efforts to help students become as independent as possible, as well as teaching them to be active members of their communities. She was nominated by Richard and Sandra Shoemaker.

Fourth-grade teachers Piggott, Farrell and Hooker have taught at Lafayette's Glen Acres Elementary School for 28, 34 and 27 years, respectively. The three are being honored for their work together, which includes sharing lesson plans and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects among their three classes. They are also being recognized for work in the school's local community and adjusting teaching plans and styles to reflect that community's increasing diversity. They were nominated by Vic and Sheila Klinker.

Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu

Sources: George W. Hynd, (765) 494-2336, ghynd@purdue.edu

Becky Watson, director of communication and alumni relations, (765) 494-0568, watsonbl@purdue.edu

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