HAIL PURDUE

1960

Wendell Dilling (PhD S’62) was inducted into the Midland County Sports Hall of Fame for his performances in bicycle racing and track and field at the Michigan Senior Olympics. Among his cycling accomplishments: winning the 1988 Michigan National 24 Hour Challenge with a distance of 307 miles and taking second place in the men’s division of the Tri-City Cyclists 1989 Delta Dozen with a distance of 190 miles in 12 hours. A 2020 Michigan Senior Olympics Hall of Fame inductee, he won 155 medals and set state records in hammer throw and triple jump. He represented Michigan in the National Senior Games in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2013, winning five ribbons. From 2003 to 2018, he worked with the Midland Planning Commission’s Non-Motorized Transportation Committee. The committee’s initiatives, such as adding bicycle lanes to city streets, helped Midland earn a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists. Dilling has supported recreational and athletic activity in Midland by leading bicycle rides for more than 50 years.

1970

Michael Corso (AAE’71) was honored with the Chubby Damsel Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA). The award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated a career-long dedication to litigation defense and have made significant contributions to the FDLA and the legal community. Corso has been an active member of the FDLA for more than 40 years, contributing his time and expertise to various committees and initiatives to enhance the practice of defense law in Florida.

Gregory Faulkner (T’77) was one of 98 architects elevated this year to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, an honor awarded to architects who have made significant contributions to the profession.

Elisabeth Bridge (LA’78), intellectual property attorney at Amundsen Davis and a 15-year honorary consul of the country of Belgium, was a recipient of the Order of Leopold—a Belgian honorary order of knighthood. Initially presented by King Leopold I, the first monarch of Belgium, the award is given in recognition of services provided to the country of Belgium. Bridge’s service has included assistance with business operations within the United States, immigration, and other legal needs that Belgian citizens encounter while in this country.

1980

Mark Eutsler (MS’84), right, received the Jefferson Award for outstanding servant leadership in community activism, effectiveness, and impact. Presented by Multiplying Good, the Jefferson Awards highlight professionals and community leaders and celebrate the positive changes they’ve brought about in their communities. The award was presented by Steve Abel (P’76, DP’78), left, professor emeritus of pharmacy practice and former associate vice provost for engagement at Purdue.

Peter Kennelly (PhD’85) was conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The emeritus title is given to retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by the Virginia Tech president in recognition of exemplary service to the university.

Tonya Strong-Charles (LA’87) was appointed chief marketing officer at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She is responsible for all internal and external communications highlighting the university’s programs, faculty, and students.

Andy Kireta (ME’89) was named president of ASTM International. He was recently interviewed about his new role on ASTM’s Standards Impact podcast.

1990

Scott Shade (IUPUI’90) was named EVP and officer of AISIN Holdings of America. He is also the president of AISIN Drivetrain Inc.

Jennifer Pyrz (CE’95, MS CE’97) was appointed the president and CEO of IndyGo. She had been working in the role on an interim basis since December 2023.

Fang Liu (PhD’97) joined the intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP as a partner. Liu combines an academic background in organic chemistry, an insider’s perspective as a researcher, and deep experience as a patent attorney to help clients protect their chemical and pharmaceutical innovations.

Rakuya Trice (LA’99) was named a 2024 Leadership in Law Distinguished Barrister by The Indiana Lawyer. The award is given to a small number of lawyers each year who have practiced law for at least 20 years and have shown a commitment to the law and the clients and communities they serve.

2000

Kyle Warren (T’04) was named vice president of production at AISIN World Corporation of America to support all corporation facilities in North America with production control, logistics, and program management.

Matthew Spaulding (LA’07) was elected to partnership at the Toledo office of Shumaker. His practice concentrates on representing public and private companies on corporate and technology-related matters with an emphasis on privacy compliance, commercial transactions, distributor and supply arrangements, business acquisitions, and corporate governance.

2010

Jayde (Sills) Ketring (A’15) was named agribusiness banking manager at First Bank of Berne. A proven leader with a lifelong love of farming, Ketring brings deep knowledge of the industry, excellent communication skills, a results-driven talent for financial analyses, and a genuine commitment to meeting customers’ needs to her new role.

Jacob Wheatley (A’18) was named a product engineer for Chore-Time, a market leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of equipment for poultry and egg production. In his new position, Wheatley will design, develop, and create innovative poultry components and equipment to meet customer expectations and business goals.

2020

Hannah Rice (LA’22) joined the Fort Wayne law firm of Barrett McNagny LLP, one of the largest law firms in northeastern Indiana.

Sara Poulin (EDU’24) accepted a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program Grant from the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to teach English in Greece during the 2024–25 academic year.