January 10, 2008
Purdue's VP for university relations to retire
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Bennett, who joined Purdue in 1981 as the director of the Office of Public Information, became director of university relations in 1985 when Purdue's central public relations and communications efforts were reorganized under his management. He was appointed vice president in 1989.
Murray Blackwelder, senior vice president for advancement, said the university will conduct a national search for Bennett's successor.
"Joe Bennett's area has been critical to Purdue's efforts to achieve preeminence," Blackwelder said. "We will want to maintain that momentum.
"I am enormously grateful to Joe, not only for the integrated communications system he helped build here, but also for his steady counsel and remarkable leadership. The accomplishments of Purdue faculty and students and the quality of our communications and marketing programs are well-known across the state and nation thanks to his efforts."
Bennett came to Purdue from Penn State University where he was manager of the news bureau and assistant director of public information and relations for three years. Before that, he served as a news editor, makeup editor and Sunday magazine writer for the Pittsburgh Press and as a copy editor and makeup editor for the Indianapolis News.
He has served as an adjunct instructor in Purdue's Department of Communication and is the author of the book Boilermaker Musicmakers, chronicling the early years of Purdue Musical Organizations.
A native of Lewis Run, Pa., Bennett is a graduate of Duquesne University and did graduate work at Duquesne and Butler University. He was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in 1965 and served as a shipboard officer until 1968.
He is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and is past president of Indiana CASE. He is past president of Greater Lafayette United Way, a member of the Salvation Army advisory board and past president of the American Lung Association.
"I have had more than 26 terrific years working with dedicated and talented people at a great university," Bennett said. "I feel very fortunate to have been present during some of the most exciting times in Purdue's history. I am especially grateful to the leadership and staff of the University Relations units. Their creativity and hard work are the real reasons for any success we have had. I look forward to spending a lot more time with my family and to enjoying the continued success of Purdue."
University Relations' responsibilities include communicating news and information about the university in print, photo and video; branding and advertising; the Purdue Web site; and community partnerships. University Relations includes the University News Service, Purdue Marketing Communications, University Periodicals, Community Relations, Special Projects and Broadcast Services.
Purdue policy requires vice presidents and other executives to retire by the end of the fiscal year in which they turn 65.Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Source: Joseph L. Bennett, (765) 494-2082, jlbennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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