The Lifetime Contribution Award was presented in 2013 for the first time. It is a recognition of those who have given over and above on a long-term basis. These have demonstrated a significant investment in our programs, and in our students.
2014 Lifetime Contribution Award - Leroy Pickett
Dr. Pickett received his PhD from Agricultural Engineering at Purdue in 1969; his MS in Agricultural Engineering at University of Illinois in 1962; and his BS in Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University in 1961. Before retiring in 1998, Leroy Pickett served as a product safety and regulation engineer at Case Corporation for all East Moline Plant products including 2100 and 2300 Series Combines, 2155 and 2555 Cotton Pickers, 1000 Series Corn Heads, 1010 Series Rigid Cutter Bar, 1015 Series Windrow Pickup and 1020 Series Flexible Cutter Bar Headers. Prior to working for Case, he taught and developed fluid power courses and a laboratory at Michigan State University. His greatest career satisfaction, however, came from modeling the behavior of the self-leveling combine which led to coordinating the design and development of the 1470 Axial-Flow International Harvester Hillside Combine. Leroy later served as a team leader for the Case International 2100 Series Axial-Flow Combine program. Throughout his career, Leroy has been active in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors representing the Power and Machinery Division and as the Technical Vice-President of the Society. Leroy received the ASAE Chicago Section Honored Member Award in 1992 and was recognized as an ASAE Fellow in 1998.
2014 Lifetime Contribution Award - Bruce McKenzie
Bruce McKenzie received his MS in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University in 1958 and his BS in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in 1950. Bruce was recognized as an ABE Outstanding Alumnus in 1999 for his work in many areas during his tenure on the ABE faculty (1950-93) including farmstead mechanization; concepts and designs for grain handling and storage systems; and leadership in several emergency programs such as tornado follow-up, blighted corn handling, and agricultural energy management. He also chaired key CES committees on behalf of the Director of CES related to long-term planning for the Extension program. Bruce coordinated the ABE Extension program (1958-1990), authored numerous publications, articles and plans, and developed two patents: one for a grain dryer and the other for a “materials handling ladder.” He was recognized as Outstanding Teacher for the ABE Department in 1968, 1988, 1991 and 1992. ASAE awarded him the distinction of Fellow in 1977 and he received the Certificate of Distinction from the Purdue Ag Alumni Association in 1983. Bruce organized the original Senior Activities group within ASAE to create an opportunity for ASAE members who are retiring, to have a continuing tie to ASAE.
2013 Lifetime Contribution Award - Robert Anderson
After receiving an MS in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in 1949, Robert Anderson established A-Plus Farms, Ltd. in Pine Village. Mr. Anderson has retired from the hectic life of the farmer, but his support of our department has never wavered. For his faithful practice of farming and his unflagging support of Purdue Agriculture, the Agricultural & Biological Engineering faculty, staff, students, and alumni proudly recognize Robert Anderson with the Lifetime Contribution to Agricultural & Biological Engineering Award based upon his exemplary career and continued service to Purdue, our department, and the agricultural engineering profession.
2013 Lifetime Contribution Award - William Friday
When Dr. Friday joined the faculty of ABE in 1954, the Agricultural Engineering profession was very different from what we practice today. His pioneering work in long-span beams, laminated posts, and trusses for clear-span structures revolutionized the way farm buildings were constructed. His research was recognized by ASABE (then ASAE) as Engineering Practice Standards, providing safer, lower cost, and more efficient farm buildings. The organization also recognized him with the Henry Giese Structures and Environment Award for distinguished service and the NFBA Bernon G. Perkins Award for conducting research and developing design information. By the time he retired in 1991, he had made extensive contributions to the University's extension efforts in rural energy conservation, coordinated the Purdue Farm Builders Conference for 18 years, and served the Midwest Plan Service as Chair of the Design and Construction Committee for 34 years. In 2003, it was our honor to recognize Dr. Friday for his Outstanding Service to our department.
The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering proudly recognize Freddie, Dan, and Joe Friday on behalf of William Friday with the Lifetime Contribution to Agricultural & Biological Engineering Award based on his exemplary career and long and faithful service to Purdue, our department, and the agricultural engineering profession.
2013 Lifetime Contribution Award - Charles Hinkle
Dr. Hinkle joined the faculty in 1965 and retired in 1990. He served as a faculty advisor and taught numerous structures courses, including introductory courses. Before coming to Purdue, he earned his PhD at Michigan State University and taught at South Dakota State. In his retirement, he has continued to invest in the lives of others through the organization Helping Hands. Through Helping Hands, he does electrical work on new churches and makes accommodations to homes for those needing them, both in the Southern states during the winters and the Northern states during the summers.
The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering proudly recognize Charles Hinkle with the Lifetime Contribution to Agricultural & Biological Engineering Award based upon his exemplary career and continued service to Purdue, our department, and the agricultural engineering profession.