October 7, 2008
Purdue's Córdova elected to Stanford Hall of Fame
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University President France A. Córdova will be inducted into the Stanford University Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday (Oct. 10).Created in 1995, the Hall of Fame highlights the contributions of Stanford's alumni of color. Córdova, who graduated cum laude from the university with a bachelor's degree in English, was nominated by El Centro Chicano, Stanford's Chicano and Latino organization.
"Stanford's Multicultural Hall of Fame has a history of recognizing outstanding Chicanos and Latinos," Córdova said. "I am honored to be included, especially because this celebrates our diversity."
Córdova will give an informal talk about her professional journey at 1 p.m. on Friday, titled "The Road to Becoming the President of Purdue." The induction ceremony begins at 4 p.m. in the Stanford Alumni Center in McCaw Hall.
The Hall of Fame is a campuswide effort initiated by each of Stanford's four ethnic community centers: the Asian-American Activities Center; the Black Community Services Center; El Centro Chicano; and the American-Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Program.
Previous inductees include Mae Jemison, the first African-American female in space; Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut; Jim Plunkett, former professional football player and Heisman Trophy winner; and Jerry Yang, co-creator of the Yahoo! Internet navigational guide.
El Centro Chicano chooses alumni who have distinguished themselves through exceptional advancement and success in their education or career or who have made outstanding contributions to society. Selections are based upon nominations by Stanford alumni, staff, faculty and students and are made by a committee composed of alumni association and advisory board representatives and director of the center.
The pictures and biographies of Hall of Fame members are displayed at El Centro Chicano to motivate and inspire future generations of Chicano and Latino students. In addition, a plaque bearing the names of all Multicultural Hall of Fame members hangs in the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center.
Writer: Tanya Brown, (765) 494-2079, tanyabrown@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Córdova, (765) 494-9708
Frances Morales, Stanford University student affairs officer, (650) 723-2088, fmorales@stanford.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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