Student Awards

Student awards, sponsored by Mr. Jack Babbitt, were presented at the PMRI annual spring event at Prophetstown State Park on May 11, 2023. Mr. and Mrs. Babbitt are generous supporters of PMRI and has provided many scholarship opportunities for military officers to pursue graduate education degrees.

Babbitt Scholar Special Recognition Award

Established in 2023, this Certificate of Honor is presented for sustained and significant support and benefit to the Purdue Military Research Institute (PMRI) through program enhancements, student academic success, leadership development, and enduring military partnerships.

Glenn Peterson and man standing while holding an award document.

Maj Glenn Peterson, USAF

Babbitt Scholar Thesis Award

Established in 2023, the Babbitt Scholar Thesis Award is presented to students who have been active in the Purdue Military Research Institute (PMRI) program and who excelled in conducting research and in their defense and writing of their thesis as witnessed by their Faculty Advisor. 

  • Capt Richard Weston, USMC
  • 2LT Neil Blackwell, USA
  • 2d Lt Amanda Beach, USAF
  • 2LT Connor McQueen, USA
  • Capt Allyson Haynes, USSF
  • 2d Lt Jacob DeLange, USAF
  • 2d Lt Charles Grey, USSF
  • 2d Lt Brendan Reese, USAF
  • CDR David Novotney, USN
  • Lt Colton Mitchell, USAF

Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document. Student and man facing forward holding award document.

Photo of Jack Babbitt.Jack Babbitt is a highly honored veteran, engineer, and community leader. Babbitt entered the military after graduating from high school, where he became a pilot, and achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force. He had 30 missions in his B-17, with the final mission being a relief flight carrying food to the Dutch near the end of World War II. After World War II, Babbitt enrolled at Purdue and graduated with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering in 1948. After graduating from Purdue, he began work on the Girdler and the Hydrogen Bomb project. Babbitt then joined the newly formed First Mississippi Corporation, becoming President of the company within two years. He later joined Agrico Chemical Company, a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, as President, but left to form Devco International, Devco Overseas Company and several other personally owned companies which designed, built and operated facilities to process and market sulfur in the United States, Saudi Arabia and Australia. In 2013, Babbitt received an Honorary Doctorate in Business from Hillsdale College, and in 2020 he received the Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award from Purdue University. He has served on numerous boards, such as Hillcrest Medical Center, including a term as Chairman; a member of the board of The Master’s College & Seminary in Santa Clarita, California; Chairman of the Fertilizer Institute, a national association of fertilizer and agrichemical producers; was active in the Boy Scouts; served as President of the Indian Nations Council and served as a member of the Boy Scouts National Council. Additionally, he has served as a member of the board of The Little Lighthouse, an organization dedicated to bringing children with special needs up to their greatest potential. During his retirement, Babbitt found new ways to impact the community through philanthropy. He has supported many Christian missions and has been a driving force to establish churches internationally, demonstrating his continued commitment to improve the lives of others.