May 2, 2005

College of Liberal Arts names 2005 distinguished alumni

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University College of Liberal Arts honored five graduates as its 2005 distinguished alumni.

Recipients are Carolyn Curiel, Stuart Howard, Jacquiline S. Rudolph Touba, Robert Utley and Jack G. Wiggins.

Carolyn Curiel, originally from Hammond, Ind., currently resides in New York City and is an editorial writer at The New York Times. Former president Bill Clinton appointed her as U.S. ambassador to Belize, and she also served as presidential speechwriter and special assistant to the president. She was a producer-writer for "ABC News Nightline" and a senior fellow for the Pew Hispanic Center. She earned a bachelor's degree in communication in 1976.

Stuart Howard, New York City, is a casting director and owner of Stuart Howard and Associates Ltd., and he is on the faculty of the drama division at the Juilliard School. He began his career as an actor and moved to casting director. In 1980 he and a friend teamed to form their own casting company, which he still operates today. He also has served on the selection committee of the Tony Awards for seven years. He earned a master's degree in theater in 1964.

Jacquiline S. Rudolph Touba, Glens Falls, N.Y., is the creator of the International Youth Art Exchange Program, which uses children's artwork to convey cultural experiences. Based on this experience, she also founded the World Awareness Children's Museum in Glens Falls in 1995. She also was an associate professor of sociology and head of the comparative sociology section of the Institute for Social Studies and Research at Tehran University in Iran. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees in sociology in 1963 and 1966, respectively.

Robert Utley, Georgetown, Texas, is a former chief historian for the National Park Service and historian for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has written 15 books, many of which are prize-winning publications, including "Lone Star Justice: The First Century of the Texas Rangers," "The Indian Frontier, 1846-1890" and "The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull." He earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1951. In 1974 he received an honorary doctorate.

Jack G. Wiggins is a clinical psychologist in Fountain Hills, Ariz. After serving as chief psychologist for the outpatient clinic of the Cleveland Psychiatric Institute, he spent 39 years in private practice. Wiggins also has been a staff psychologist for William, Lynde and William Management Consultants and president of the Psychological Development Center Inc. He served as president for the American Psychological Association in 1992-1993. He earned his doctorate in psychology in 1952.

The distinguished alumni were recognized at an April 15 banquet.

Writer: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Christine Sharp, alumni relations coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts, (765) 494-7884, ctsharp@sla.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Complete biographies and publication-quality photos of the 2005 distinguished alumni are available online.

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