Purdue honors alumni from College of Consumer and Family Sciences

Beverly Lawler Girard of Nokomis, Fla., Abbe Hohmann of Indianapolis, and April C. Mason of Fort Collins, Colo., are being honored for significant career advancement, long-term leadership within a chosen profession and noteworthy professional accomplishments.

Mary Louise Foster of West Lafayette and Ben and Maxine Horn Miller of Bonita Springs, Fla., will receive awards for making significant contributions to the advancement of the college through personal or professional influence, service or financial support.

Andrew Whittaker, of Norwalk, Conn., is being honored for outstanding career development, support for the profession and involvement in professional organizations, alumni association and/or community activities.

Distinguished alumni award recipients:

• Girard received her bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition in 1981 and went on to become director of food and nutrition services for Sarasota County schools in Florida. She started an American Dietetic Association school district-based dietetic internship, one of only two programs in the country that focuses on school nutrition.

• Hohmann graduated with a bachelor's degree in consumer sciences and retailing in 1974 and now works for Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, the largest employee-owned commercial real estate firm in Indiana. She works exclusively as a land specialist and is a life member of the company’s Presidents Club for top performers. Since 1999, she has been the leading associate in land sales with volume in excess of $100 million.

• Mason earned her master's degree in plant physiology in 1980 and her doctorate in foods and nutrition in 1984. She was named dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences at Colorado State University in August 2004. Prior to joining Colorado State, she served Purdue's College of Consumer and Family Sciences as the associate dean for discovery and engagement. Her research is focused on the availability of key nutrients from plant-based food products, which provide critical calories and essential nutrients to a large proportion of the world's population.

Friend of Purdue award recipients:

• Foster earned her bachelor's degree in home economics in 1942 and her master's degree in family economics and vocational education in 1954, after which she joined the faculty and taught until 1986. She continues part time as an academic adviser and often attends department, college and university events in the evening and on weekends. She received the CFS Distinguished Alumni Award in 1968 and the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion in 2000 for improving students’ lives through her role as a professor and counselor. In 2003, CFS established the Foster Award in her honor to recognize CFS faculty and staff for their outstanding citizenship. Last fall, the Purdue Alumni Association named Foster a "Special Boilermaker" for significant contributions to improving the quality of life and bettering the educational experience for students.

• Maxine Horn Miller received a bachelor's degree in vocational home economics in 1959, and her husband, Ben, received a bachelor's degree in industrial economics in 1959 and is the retired president and CEO of Tri-County Communications Inc. Last fall, the Millers made a significant leadership gift to the college as part of the Campaign for Purdue. Their gift is designated for the Purdue Child Care Program in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies. The program, renamed the Ben and Maxine Miller Child Learning Center, will be part of the planned Human Development Institute. This latest gift is just one of many the couple has made to Purdue over the years.

Outstanding Young Professional award recipient:

• Whittaker received a master's degree in hospitality and tourism management in 1999 and began his career with the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. In 2005, he became the director of financial operations for Cipriani USA. Established in 1931 with the opening of Harry's bar in Venice, Cipriani is now a worldwide restaurant and banquet operations company with locations in Italy, Hong Kong, England, Mexico and the United States. At Cipriani, he implements forecasting and budgeting and is responsible for strategic purchasing initiatives and implementation of company-wide cost savings of $2.5 million a year.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Amy Liter, director of alumni and donor relations, (765) 494-7890, liter@purdue.edu

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

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