Retirement Reception Honors Long-time PVM Staff Member Rose Killian-Alenduff

Friday, March 30, 2018

Long-time PVM staff member Rose Killian-Alenduff displays a commemorative clock she received in honor of her retirement at a reception March 27 in Lynn Hall.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff members gathered Tuesday (March 27) to celebrate the career of Rose Marie Killian-Alenduff and congratulate her on her retirement. Rose was a familiar face and well-loved staff member in Lynn Hall for many years. She joined the staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986, after working at the University for a number of years as a secretary in Biological Sciences and Mechanical Engineering.

When Rose started in Lynn Hall, she worked initially as a secretary to the head of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, and continued in that role when the department was merged with Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology to become the current Department of Basic Medical Sciences. In 2002, she became the department’s grants coordinator and graduate secretary. Dr. Harm HogenEsch, PVM associate dean for research, who spoke for the College at the reception, observed that when Rose accepted her new role, that set-up a career for her in grants management and grant proposals. “And since that time, you’ve really become for many of us, if not all of us, the go-to person for grants and grant proposals,” Dr. HogenEsch said.

Dr. Harm HogenEsch, PVM associate dean for research, spoke for the College in congratulating Rose on her retirement.

Rose, who served many years as secretary to the head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS), is congratulated by long-time BMS faculty member Ron Hullinger.

In 2010, Rose accepted a new position with Purdue’s Sponsored Program Services as a pre-award specialist, but she didn’t leave Lynn Hall, since the Ag/Vet pre-award office at the time was located on the building’s ground floor. That arrangement continued several years until the office moved. It is now located in Young Hall.

At the reception held in Lynn 1192, Dr. HogenEsch praised Rose as a great person to work with, noting how she worked with great dedication to finish grant proposals. “You have been a really valuable source of information for all of us and we will greatly, greatly miss you,” Dr. HogenEsch said. “We hope you really enjoy your retirement and wish you many, many healthy and happy years. Of course be sure to come back and visit us.” He then presented Rose with a commemorative clock in recognition of her retirement.

Rose responded by sharing how she called the veterinary college her home. “People here are family,” Rose said. “I will miss all of you, but I am in town and will definitely be popping in.” Congratulations, and thank you Rose!

Rose with her colleagues from the Sponsored Program Services Pre-Award Center, who attended her retirement reception (left-right): Manager Bryan Scott, Renda Bryant, Jessica Huffield, and Heather Underwood. Rose said Jessica and Heather will be taking on a large portion of the individuals she had worked with previously.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu