November 7, 2005
Purdue alumni bring $1.5 billion campaign to Chicago
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –Thirty-one Chicago-area residents have been selected as members of the steering committee for the Chicago portion of Purdue University's $1.5 billion Campaign for Purdue.
The committee will help direct the university's fund-raising efforts in the Chicago area.
"With more than 45,000 alumni living in the Chicago area and approximately 3,000 students currently enrolled from that region, Purdue has always felt a strong affinity for Chicago," said Murray Blackwelder, Purdue's senior vice president for advancement. "Many of these Purdue alumni have contributed significantly to the economic growth and quality of life of our nation, and as we enter the final years of the Campaign for Purdue, we know they will want to help other Chicagoans do the same."
Well-known Purdue alumni with Chicago ties include Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, who was born in Bellwood; and Kyle Orton, starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Purdue's President Martin C. Jischke, the son of a Chicago grocer, grew up in Maywood. Both Jischke and Cernan graduated from Proviso High School.
Michael J. Birck, Hinsdale, Ill., who founded Tellabs Inc. in Lisle, Ill., in 1975 and now is its chairman, is the honorary co-chair of the overall Campaign for Purdue and also serves on the steering committee for the Chicago Campaign. Birck received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1960 and an honorary doctorate in engineering in 1995 from Purdue. He also serves on the university's board of trustees. Birck and his wife, Kay, donated the initial $30 million toward the Birck Nanotechnology Center that opened last month in Purdue's Discovery Park, the University's interdisciplinary research and enterprise hub.
While Birck leads the overall campaign, Purdue alumni Bryan A. and Susan F. Erler of Chicago are co-chairs for the campaign's Chicago portion.
Bryan Erler received bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Purdue in 1969 and 1970, respectively. He is a retired senior vice president and owner of Sargent & Lundy Engineers in Chicago. Susan Erler received a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology in 1969. She is coordinator of the doctor of audiology program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
George and Karen Shahnasarian, Downers Grove, Ill., represent Purdue parents on the steering committee. He received a bachelor's degree in industrial management and economics in 1978 and a master's degree in industrial administration from Purdue in 1979. He is a global senior program manager at Motorola Inc. in Schaumburg, Ill. Karen Shahnasarian received a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology from Purdue in 1978. She teaches developmentally delayed preschool children in Illinois School District 66. Their daughter Tania graduated this year from Purdue's College of Consumer and Family Sciences, their daughter Alissa is a sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts, and their daughter Alexandra is a College of Education 2006 incoming freshman.
Several other Purdue alumni couples are serving on the steering committee:
• David R. and Donna J. Beering, Wheaton, Ill. He received a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 1985 and a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1987. He is the owner and founder of Infinite Global Infrastructures in West Chicago. Donna Beering received an associate's degree in aeronautical technology in 1984 and a bachelor's degree in aviation technology in 1986. She is a captain and pilot for United Airlines at O'Hare International Airport.
• Jon E. and Barbra Ann Simpson, Glencoe, Ill. He received a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership in 2000 and is a lean manufacturing engineer for Informance International in Northbrook, Ill. Barbra Ann Simpson received a bachelor's degree in communication in 2000. She is a copywriter for LTD Commodities in Bannockburn, Ill.
• Donald and Elizabeth M. Thompson, Burr Ridge, Ill. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1984 and is the executive vice president and chief operating officer for McDonald's USA in Oak Brook, Ill. She earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1985 and is an engineer at Ameritech Illinois.
• Robert D. and Sally A. Weist, Chicago. He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1962 and is president of Weist Associates in Chicago. She received a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1961.
Other steering committee members include the following Purdue alumni and spouses:
• Susan S. Barnes, Aurora, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in environmental design/family housing in 1972. She is president and owner of The Landmark Group of Companies in Aurora and works part time in Washington, D.C., as President George W. Bush's appointee and expert in housing, economic redevelopment and historic preservation. A three-generation Purdue family, her son, Christopher Horowitz, is a senior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, and her stepfather, Gordon E. Mallett, received a bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1949, a master's in 1951 and a doctorate in 1956, all from the College of Science.
• John J. Benish, Hinsdale, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in industrial arts education in 1959. He is president and CEO of Cook-Illinois Corp. in Oak Forest, Ill.
• Christopher B. Burke, Naperville, Ill., received bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in civil engineering in 1977, 1979 and 1983, respectively. He is president of Christopher B. Burke Eng. Ltd. in Rosemont, Ill.
• R. William Edmundson, Chicago, received a bachelor's degree in restaurant and hotel management in 1962. He is a principal of Tenacity Inc. in Chicago.
• Jay Fehnel, Chicago, received a bachelor's degree in communication in 1984. He is vice president for business development for Tribune Media Services.
• Thomas L. Fisher, Batavia, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1966. He is chairman and CEO of Nicor Inc.
• William A. Goldstein, Evanston, Ill., received his bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1961. He is president of Lodestar Investment Counsel Inc.
• Richard W. Hansen, Batavia, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in industrial economics in 1961 and an honorary doctorate in technology in 1988. He is president of Kittyhawk Enterprises LLC.
• Roger C. Heider, Libertyville, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1965. He is owner and executive vice president of Sargent & Lundy Engineers in Chicago.
• Warren and Susan Jewell Hill, Winnetka, Ill. Warren Hill received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1963. He is chairman and CEO of Hill Mechanical Group in Chicago.
• Robert J. and Sanchia A. Mazza, Hinsdale, Ill. Robert Mazza received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1956. He is a consultant for Executive Service Corps of Chicago.
• Kelvin J. Pennington, Chicago, received a bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1980. He is president of Pennington Partners & Co. in Chicago.
• Martha E. Schmidt, Naperville, Ill., received a master's degree in elementary education in 1969. She is a community volunteer.
• James F. Schorr, Barrington, Ill., received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1954 and an honorary doctorate in engineering in 1987. He is president of JFS Consulting in Barrington. Jim and his wife, Jane, have eight Purdue graduates in their family.
• Nicholas A. Sickler, Chicago, received a bachelor's degree in general management accounting in 2000. He is a staff accountant for John R. Waters & Co. in Chicago and he is currently serving as president of the Purdue Club of Chicago.
• Roger G. Willis, Naperville, Ill., received bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering in 1972 and 1973, respectively. He is employed by Heatherton Associates LLC, in Anthem, Ariz., where he resides in the winter months.
Purdue will kick off Campaign Chicago April 21-22, having already raised more than $80 million in pledges and contributions toward the $100 million goal. The overall campaign, which has raised $1.2 billion, ends July 2007.
One of the 10 largest universities in the nation, Purdue is composed of four campuses that enroll more than 69,000 students. It is one of only three universities without an academic medical school that is raising funds at the billion-dollar level.
Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu
Source: Murray Blackwelder, (765) 496-2144, mblackwelder@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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