Liberal Arts alumni series highlights leaders

September 17, 2008

Liberal Arts alumni series highlights leaders

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A mystery author, video game leader and Big Ten Network vice president are just some of the Liberal Arts alumni who will be speaking to Purdue University students and the public during the fall class and speakers series.

The series is part of the new LA Influentials course, which is offered to Liberal Arts juniors and seniors.

The series meets from 9:30-10:20 a.m. in Beering Hall, Room 2290, and is free and open to the public as seating permits. The October presentations are part of Experience Liberal Arts, a monthlong celebration highlighting the College of Liberal Arts.

The dates and speakers are:

* Sept. 19, Joann DiGennaro, president of Center for Excellence in Education. She earned her bachelor's degree in communication in 1965 from Purdue, and her master's degree in 1976 from the University of Maryland and a doctorate of law in 1979 from George Mason University. In 1978 she attended the Oxford University Law Program in Oxford, England.

* Oct. 3, Don Bain, author of the "Murder She Wrote" series. He earned his bachelor's degree in speech in 1957.

* Oct. 10, Kim Koeller, president and chief executive officer of Allergy Free Passport. She earned a bachelor's degree in foreign languages and literatures in 1978.

* Oct. 17, Leon Schweir, executive producer and vice president of production for the Big Ten Network. He earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1974.

* Nov. 7, Wally Brant, owner of Indiana Oxygen Co., Inc. He earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1971.

* Nov. 14, Matt Booty, interim chief executive officer and president of Midway Amusement Games LLC. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering in 1988 and a master's degree in theater in 1992.

* Nov. 21, Rusty Rueff, former chief executive officer of SNOCAP. He earned a bachelor's degree in communication in 1984 and a master's degree in counseling in 1986.

* Dec. 5, Vanita Banks, counsel in corporate law at the Allstate Corp. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1977.

*Dec. 12. Steve Godeke, consultant and creator for Godeke Consulting. He earned a bachelor's degree in foreign languages and literatures in 1984 and a bachelor's degree in management the same year.

October's Experience Liberal Arts will feature a variety of lectures, films, performances, events and exhibits that reflect the college's ongoing coursework and research in the arts, humanities, and social and behavioral sciences. Information about upcoming events is available online at https://www.cla.purdue.edu/experience

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Chris Sharp, director of alumni relations and special events, (765) 494-7884, ctsharp@purdue.edu

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

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