April 22, 2008

Córdova to connect with Vincennes, Crane on community visit

France A. Córdova Download photo

Purdue President France A. Córdova and other university officials will visit the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes University, the Westgate @ Crane Technology Park and the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Jay T. Akridge, Purdue's interim vice provost for engagement, said the university welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with community leaders.

"Purdue is making its resources available throughout the state to promote economic development, enhance education and expand community outreach," Akridge said. "To accomplish even more, we need to exchange ideas and embark on new initiatives in partnership with local communities."

Several activities are scheduled for the visit:

* 10 a.m. Tour the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, 4669 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes. Research done at Southwest-Purdue Agricultural Center focuses on increasing crop quality and yields, and on decreasing expenditures and pesticide use. Specific horticultural areas of research include weed and disease control in melons; growth and management of grapes, apples, peaches, pears, blueberries, and strawberries; new varieties of vegetables; the potential of herbs as new Indiana crops; organic vegetable production; and honey bee culture. Other research is being conducted on tillage, fertility, nitrogen management of wheat, canola and grain sorghum, and soybean management.

* 11:30 a.m. Tour Vincennes University, 1002 N. First St., Vincennes. Founded in 1801 by William Henry Harrison, Vincennes is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the country and is one of only two colleges founded by a U.S. president. Situated on the banks of the Wabash River, the 100-acre campus has an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students. Purdue's Technical Assistance Program opened an office on the Vincennes Jasper campus in 2007. The College of Agriculture also has collaborated with Vincennes on a student transfer program.

* 2:30 p.m. Tour Westgate @ Crane Technology Park, 16633 N 1400 E, Odon, Ind. Westgate is Indiana's newest certified technology park, which is a collaboration of Greene, Davies and Martin counties.

* 3:15 p.m. Visit Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, 300 Hwy 361, Crane, Ind. The Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, administered by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington D.C., provides technology for naval missions and electronic warfare/information operations. Crane contributes to the southern Indiana economy with more than 2,700 employees and a $1.7 billion budget. It also is the working home of more than 4,000 people, including contractors.

* 5:30 p.m. Visit with Crane employees who are Purdue alumni. Crane employs 242 Purdue graduates. Crane and Purdue have worked together on many projects throughout the last decade, such as the detection of hazardous materials and knowledge telemaintenance.

Córdova was selected in May 2007 as the 11th president of Purdue. She took office in July, after having served as chancellor of University of California, Riverside, since 2002. She previously served at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she had been vice chancellor for research and a professor of physics.

Before that, she was the first woman and youngest person to hold the position of NASA chief scientist, working on projects that included the Hubble Space Telescope.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, 9765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Source: Jay T. Akridge, (765) 494-9095, akridge@purdue.edu

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

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