July 27, 2007

Jay T. Akridge appointed interim vice provost for engagement

Jay Akridge
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Jay T. Akridge, the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, will begin his duties Aug. 1, said interim Provost Victor L. Lechtenberg.

As vice provost for engagement, Akridge will lead Purdue's efforts to use university resources to address economic development and other issues affecting the state's prosperity and quality of life. He will work directly with Indiana's leaders, the business community and citizens to find ways for Purdue to advance that mission.

Akridge also will help communities throughout the state develop technology parks and promote the growth of high-paying jobs. Another goal is to advance initiatives such as the Technical Assistance Program, which last year helped 536 Indiana companies implement new technologies. Akridge also will work with the Purdue Center for Regional Development to assist with strategic economic development planning on a regional basis.

Additional programs under Akridge's supervision will include the Office for Continuing Education and Conferences and Science Bound, which assists Indianapolis Public Schools students in preparing for a science-related degree at Purdue.

"Jay has been a visionary in agribusiness and marketing and has worked with food and agricultural managers throughout the United States to adopt new ways for success," Lechtenberg said. "He will put that experience to good use as he travels throughout Indiana to collaborate with business and community leaders."

Akridge said he looks forward to advancing Purdue's engagement efforts.

"Purdue has made significant advancements with work force training, new business development and other economic development initiatives," he said. "We also have made progress in using our resources to advance K-12 education and promote the concept of service-learning, through which Purdue students use the skills they learn in the classroom to help Indiana communities. I am eager to build on the momentum gained by Provost Lechtenberg, whose leadership as our most recent vice provost for engagement has truly made a difference in the quality of life for Indiana citizens."

In his previous position, Akridge led a center whose staff conducts management education programs for working professionals in the food and agribusiness industries. He also directed the MS-MBA program, which consists of a master's degree in business administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a master's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue.

Akridge also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in strategic management of food and agribusiness firms. In 1996 he received Purdue's highest teaching honor, the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, and he was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2000. In 2003 he was added to the Purdue Book of Great Teachers, and was recognized with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Ag Science's Excellence in Teaching Award.

Akridge earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture and business administration from Murray State University in 1982. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue in 1983 and 1986, respectively.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources:Victor L. Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu

Jay T. Akridge, (765) 494-4327, (765) 414-8359 (cell), akridge@purdue.edu

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

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