March 18, 2008
Committee to aid Purdue search for marketing, media VP
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University has formed a search advisory committee to identify candidates for vice president for marketing and media.Chairing the committee will be Richard A. Cosier, Krannert School dean and Leeds Professor of Management, said Murray Blackwelder, senior vice president for advancement.
"The university has recognized the importance of branding in its effort to become preeminent," Cosier said. "This position combines the marketing of Purdue along with the critical activities of working with the media."
The committee will help search for a replacement for Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations, who announced in January he would retire June 30, in line with the university's mandatory retirement policy for senior administrators. He joined Purdue in 1981 as director of the Office of Public Information and became director of university relations in 1985 when Purdue's public relations and communications efforts were reorganized under his management. He was appointed vice president in 1989.
In addition to Cosier, other committee members include:
* Jay T. Akridge, professor of agricultural economics, director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, and interim vice provost for engagement.
* Gary Evans, Purdue police chief.
* Jay Fehnel, alumnus, vice president for entertainment products at Tribune Media Services.
* Melanie A. Hahn, assistant director and editorial manager of Purdue Marketing and Communications.
* Pamela T. Horne, dean of admissions and assistant vice president for enrollment management.
* Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and chief operating officer of Purdue Research Foundation.
* Manohar Kalwani, professor of management.
* Sally Kay, alumna, co-chair of the Purdue President's Council.
* Laura Kightlinger, a junior in the Krannert School of Management.
* Lyndsay Langbehn, a junior in the School of Health Sciences.
* Betsy Liley, director of university foundation relations.
* Nicole Reas, chief marketing officer for Purdue Alumni Association.
* Glenn Sparks, professor of communication.
* Brian Zink, associate director of University News Service.
The committee members will advertise the position, identify a diverse pool of candidates, screen the candidates' credentials, narrow the pool to a short list and conduct interviews. Finalists will be presented to Blackwelder.
The vice president for marketing and media's 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 and Communications, University Periodicals, Community Relations, Special Projects and Broadcast Services.
Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu
Sources: Murray Blackwelder, (765) 496-2144, mblackwelder@purdue.edu
Richard Cosier, (765) 494-4366, rcosier@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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