April 18, 2008

Appointments, honors and activities

—Vanessa Puckett is the new assistant director of special events. She formerly served as an events planner in special events. Puckett received a bachelor's degree in communication from Purdue and previously worked in agricultural communications.

—Barbara Leonard is now a writer/editor in Engineering Communications. She previously served as the communications coordinator for advancement.

— Nicholas Taylor is now Web strategy and systems manager at Purdue Marketing Communications. Taylor earned his bachelor's degree in technology from Purdue and has experience in systems development and management.

• Faculty and staff honors

— Stephen Elliott, a professor of industrial technology, was promoted to vice chair for membership and ballots of the International Committee for Information Technology Standards M1 Technical Committee on Biometrics. The M1 committee helps set biometric standards for data interchange formats, common file formats, application program interfaces, profiles, and performance testing and reporting.

—Michael Whitt, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, recently received the 2008 Achievement in Science and Technical Disciplines Award from the Indianapolis-based Center for Leadership Development.

–– The Residence Hall Association named Michael Witt, assistant professor of library science, as Faculty Fellow of the Year for his volunteer work in Shreve Hall. Faculty fellows typically dine at least once per month with members of one residence hall floor, and some plan some educational or entertainment programming for the residents. This year Witt took responsibility for a second floor of residents, provided cookies for his floors and helped recruit additional faculty fellows.

• Student honors

— Clay Arnett, a Shreve Hall resident, received the Robert L. Page Outstanding Leadership Award given annually by the Residence Hall Association to the top residence hall president. Arnett was cited for several accomplishments including rewriting the Shreve Club constitution and increasing participation in club programs. Arnett received a $100 cash award. Arnett also received the Distinguished Service Award for four years of service at Shreve, including terms as senator and treasurer for the Shreve Club.

— Bogomir Rajsic received the Residence Hall Association's Janine DeHart Outstanding Freshman Award. The $200 cash award is given annually to recognize outstanding service to residence halls and to encourage leadership development. Rajsic began organizing Harrison Hall programs within a week of Boiler Gold Rush orientation. He served as Harrison Hall treasurer and plans to serve as president next year.

–– The Residence Hall Association named Kristin Schneider of Hilltop Apartments Resident Assistant of the Year. Schneider was cited for forming close friendships with her residents and for providing service beyond the duties of her job.

–– Rebecca Hewins of Harrison Hall was named Residence Hall Association Hall Officer of the Year. As vice president of the Cavalier Club, Hewins planned programs, ran hall meetings and facilitated communications throughout the hall.

–– Katie Rice, Laura Stevens, Rachel Ryan, Bogomir Rajsic, Emily Ivers and Kristin Bahlada have all been inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary. The organization was founded in 1964 to recognize student leaders at universities across the nation.

—The Purdue Solar Racing Team received first place in the solar division of the Shell Eco-Marathon, held this month in Fontana, Calif. The objective of the competition is to design and build a vehicle that uses the least amount of fuel to travel the farthest distance. The team, made up of engineering and technology students, received $1,600. In addition, they received the highest overall miles-per-gallon run of any competing team, but were not eligible to win that competition because the winner is required to have a gasoline-powered engine. Their solar vehicle, named Pulsar, achieved 2,861.8 mpg (1,216.4 kilometers per liter). The team's adviser is Heather Cooper, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology.

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

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