2003 Distinguished Engineering Alumni

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ten graduates from the Purdue University Schools of Engineering were honored on Friday, April 25, during the 2003 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Convocation.

The awards are given each year to Purdue engineering graduates for their professional achievements and related accomplishments.

The 2003 recipients are:


Charles G. Armstrong

Charles G. Armstrong, president and COO of the Seattle Mariners baseball club, who earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Purdue in 1964 and a law degree from Stanford University in 1967.

Profile (PDF))


William K. Cordier

William K. Cordier, founder and chairman of Cordier Group Holdings Inc., and Cordier Management LLC, in Canton, Ohio. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1949.

Profile (PDF)


 William J. Gillilan

William J. Gillilan, chairman emeritus of Centex Real Estate Corp. in Dallas. He received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Purdue in 1968 and a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1970.

Profile (PDF)


Richard H. Grabham

Richard H. Grabham, vice president for global polypropylene for ExxonMobil Chemical Co. in Houston. He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue in 1970.

Profile (PDF)


Maj. Gen. John L. Hudson

Maj. Gen. John L. Hudson, program executive officer and program director for the U.S. Air Force's Joint Strike Fighter Program. He was commissioned in 1973 after graduating with distinction from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He received a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue in 1974.

Profile (PDF)


Jack R. Kelble

Jack R. Kelble, president of Space and Airborne Systems for Raytheon Co. in El Segundo, Calif., who earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue in 1965 and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969.

Profile (PDF)


Ben J. Lipps

Ben J. Lipps, president and CEO of Fresenius Medical Care, North America, in Lexington, Mass., and chairman of the management board of Fresenius Medical Care, AG. He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue in 1962, a master's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1963 and a doctorate from MIT in 1966.

Profile (PDF)


Christine M. Maziar

Christine M. Maziar, executive vice president and provost of the University of Minnesota. Between 1981 and 1986, she received bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue.

Profile (PDF)


Burton D. Morgan

Burton D. Morgan, who is honored posthumously, was president of Basic Search Inc. in Hudson, Ohio. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1938 and later founded or co-founded more than 45 companies.

Profile (PDF)


Mamon M. Powers Jr.

Mamon M. Powers Jr., president of Powers and Sons Construction Co. Inc. in Gary, Ind. He received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue in 1970. He also serves as a member of Purdue's Board of Trustees.

Profile (PDF)



Writer: Emil Venere, (765) 494-4709, venere@purdue.edu

Sources: Linda P.B. Katehi, John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering, (765) 494-5346, katehi@purdue.edu

Lisa Tally, engineering senior writer and managing editor, (765) 494-9996, lisat@ecn.purdue.edu

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

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Complete biographies and publication-quality photos of the recipients are available at https://engineering.purdue.edu/EAA/boilermaker/honors/distinguished/dea-year.php, or by contacting Lisa Tally at (765) 494-9996, lisat@ecn.purdue.edu.


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