| RELATED INFO |
| * Purdue Presidential Inauguration |
| * President France A. Córdova |
Inauguration week launches new programs, showcases Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -
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"These events are the launching pad for some major initiatives, as well as an opportunity to showcase our campus to national and global academic leaders," Córdova said. "We are using this occasion to outline many of the specifics of the university's new strategic plan, which our faculty, staff and students have been working on for many months. This also has been an opportunity to invite government, business and academic leaders to visit our campus to learn more about Purdue and our global vision for the future."
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More than $57 million in gifts have been announced.
On Friday (April 11) the presidential inauguration was held in Elliott Hall of Music. Delegates from American and international universities, students, faculty and staff were special guests.
The annual campuswide Spring Fest and the conclusion of the alumni Gala Week will cap off the weekend.
Other announcements and events that have taken place over the past week include:
* April 3 - Expansion of the Regenstrief Foundation and Purdue partnership in desgining a new solution for the nation's health-care system. The foundation is investing an additional $11 million over the next five years toward the partnership.
* April 5 - National Rube Goldberg Machine Contest.
* April 6 - A $4 million pledge to help build a new home for Purdue Musical Organizations.
* April 7 - A $1 million gift from the Paul Ogle Foundation to benefit the College of Technology at New Albany.
* April 8 - A $2 million gift that will benefit the College of Technology and Purdue Libraries.
*April 9 - A $304 million campaign called Access and Success that will expand student aid and programs.
* April 10 - Purdue professors talked about the Diversity in the Classroom Project during a panel discussion.
* April 10: Eight global leaders in education spoke at the Global University Convocation moderated by Purdue alumnus and C-SPAN President Brian Lamb. The convocation, part of the Discovery Lecture Series, was funded in part by the Lilly Endowment Inc.
* April 11: Concurrent faculty and researcher discussions on the interdisciplinary topics of video game-based learning, the environment and nanotechnology were held.
Inaugural details:
More than 70 delegates or representatives from American and international universities, as well as political leaders, were special guests.
The ceremony began with an academic procession led by University Marshal George Bodner, the Arthur Kelly Distinguished Professor in Chemical Education and chair of the University Senate. A variety of student musical organizations, including the Purdue Symphonic Band, Purduettes, Black Voices of Inspiration and Purdue Glee Club, performed during the ceremony.
Three past presidents - Martin C. Jischke (2000-2007), Steven C. Beering (1983-2000) and Arthur G. Hansen (1971-1982) - participated in the ceremony. Remarks were made by student leaders from Purdue Student Government and Purdue Graduate Student Government, as well as representatives from the administrative and clerical staff, community leaders and the Purdue Alumni Association. Greetings were offered by Daniel S. Goldin, a former NASA administrator, and Marye Ann Fox, the chancellor of University of California, San Diego, who represented the UC system.
While the inaugural event contained many elements and participants representing Purdue's global future, the ceremony is rooted in history. Purdue emblems used during the inaugural ceremony included:
* The seal: The current Purdue seal was officially adopted in 1969 and retains elements of earlier versions, which evolved beginning in 1890. The seal features a stylized depiction of the griffin, a mythological beast with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. In medieval insignia, the griffin symbolized strength. The three-part shield represents Purdue's traditional aims: learning, discovery and engagement.
* The university mace: The mace has an ancient history as a symbol of authority, often used by knights in war. By the 14th century, maces assumed more ceremonial functions. In the U.S. House of Representatives, the mace is placed to the right of the speaker. As a symbol of order and authority, a mace is carried before the president and other dignitaries in commencement processions. The design of the Purdue mace embraces sweeping thrusts and counterthrusts to create a vital energy within an otherwise clean, linear aesthetic. The university seal is located in the center of the mace head, and bounding it are two sweeping silver wings.
* The presidential medallion: Closely allied with maces and seals as symbols of authority are the collars of office worn by many officials, including chancellors and presidents of universities. Collars usually include a medallion inscribed with the seal of the institution and are worn over the academic gown on public occasions, particularly at commencements. Located in the center of Purdue's presidential medallion is the three-part "heraldic shield" and griffin. The medallion and mace were handcrafted from sterling silver, ebony and gold, using several centuries-old techniques.
Córdova became Purdue's 11th president on July 16. Before arriving at Purdue, she had served as chancellor of University of California, Riverside, since 2002.
Córdova previously was vice chancellor for research and a physics professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She also was the first woman and youngest person to hold the title as NASA chief scientist, working on projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope.
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Source: Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations, (765) 494-2082, jlbennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: A media advisory will be sent to journalists. This advisory will include information about media tickets, guidelines for photography and filming, and information about a broadcast satellite feed.
PHOTO CAPTION:
The design of the Purdue mace (left) embraces sweeping thrusts and counterthrusts to create a vital energy within an otherwise clean, linear aesthetic. The university seal is located in the center of the mace head, and bounding it are two sweeping silver wings. Purdue's presidential medallion (right) also features the university seal with three-part "heraldic shield" and griffin. The mace and medallion were handcrafted from sterling silver, ebony and gold, using several centuries-old techniques. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2008/inauguration-regalia.jpg
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