Jischke

Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will retire on June 30, 2007. Here are some highlights from his first six years at the helm of Purdue.

May 23, 2000 — Jischke, an MIT-trained aeronautical engineer and former president of Iowa State University, selected as the university's 10th president, succeeding Steven C. Beering.

Aug. 14, 2000 — Jischke begins his term as president.

Nov. 16, 2000 — Launches Indiana Resident Top Scholars program. A total of 150 full-tuition scholarships offered annually to expand the number of academic merit scholarships Purdue offers to Indiana's best and brightest students.

Aug. 1, 2001 — Creates the Office of Engagement as part of a statewide initiative to address economic development.

Sept. 7, 2001 — Announces plans for Purdue's $100 million Discovery Park, designed to bring together researchers from a wide range of specialties and provide an environment for interdisciplinary research that explores new ideas, technologies and products. Today, Discovery Park has grown into a $300 million enterprise with 10 established research centers.

Nov. 2, 2001 — Trustees approve Purdue's first universitywide strategic plan, calling for 300 new faculty positions, the creation of new facilities and programs, increased financial aid, expansion of interdisciplinary research, strengthening the university's facility and information technology infrastructure, engaging government and business leaders to advance economic development, and promoting study abroad and diversity.

Dec. 7, 2001 — Purdue North Central, the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine and area veterinarians launch a partnership with a groundbreaking for the North Central Veterinary Emergency Center on campus. An investor group of 36 veterinarians will build a $2 million regional veterinary clinic that will offer 24-hour emergency and referral services on land leased from PNC.

February 2002 — Opens Indianapolis Office of Engagement.

Feb. 20, 2002 — Announces a partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools to form Science Bound, a program that mentors eighth- through 12th-grade IPS students, encouraging them to enroll in classes and pursue careers in science, engineering, technology and math/science education. Those IPS students completing the five-year program and gaining acceptance to Purdue receive a full-tuition scholarship for eight semesters in an approved scientific or technical field.

Sept. 9, 2002 — A partnership with the Purdue Research Foundation and the city of West Lafayette is announced for a $2.2 million development of 50 acres in the Purdue Research Park. The Phase II development calls for a 75,000-square-foot building that includes space for high-tech companies and a full-scale health club.

Sept. 18, 2002 — Launches a series of 60 daylong visits to communities in Indiana as part of the university's commitment to engage the state's citizens.

Sept. 27, 2002 — Announces the seven-year Campaign for Purdue with the original goal being to raise $1.3 billion, the largest for any public university in Indiana. Campaign funds are earmarked for student scholarships, expansion of the faculty, programs and centers, new facilities and centers, and unrestricted funds.

Oct. 17, 2002 — Construction begins in Merrillville on the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana. Built on land owned by the Purdue Research Foundation with federal funds acquired by Rep. Pete Visclosky, the facility is modeled after the Purdue Research Park at the West Lafayette campus.

Nov. 22, 2002 – With the strategic plan in place for one year, Jischke reports that the average SAT score for incoming students was 1,150, up 16 points from the previous year.

Jan. 23, 2003 — Dedicates the new Colby Fitness Center at the Recreational Sports Center.

April 3, 2003 — Announces the Purdue Opportunity Awards program to provide need-based scholarships to a student from each of the state's 92 counties. The scholarship will consist of a comprehensive aid package that will pay an incoming freshman's first year of tuition, room and board.

May 12, 2003 — Research Park is designated as the state's first Certified Technology Park.

July 11, 2003 — Purdue raises nearly $312 million in private funds for the 2002-03 fiscal year, surpassing a $300 million goal and bettering the university's one-year fund-raising record of $234 million.

Oct. 22, 2003 — The Scientist magazine ranks Purdue the best university work environment in the country, according to a survey of researchers, based on a combination of research support, infrastructure and other benefits.

Nov. 7, 2003 — Trustees extend Jischke's contract to June 30, 2007.

Dec. 9, 2003 — Announces the Opportunity for Indiana Program. Funded by a $3.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the program fosters high-tech companies and helps Indiana retain university graduates.

April 9, 2004 — Department of Engineering Education created to address the pending shortage of American engineers and research ways to teach engineering concepts.

April 12, 2004 — Envision Center opens; it’s a facility allowing three-dimensional visualization of data.

April 26, 2004 — The university and Purdue Research Foundation partner to help INTECH Park become Indianapolis' second state-certified technology park.

Sept. 30, 2004 — Purdue Research Park named best in the country by the Association of University Research Parks. The 591-acre park is home to the largest university-affiliated business incubator in the country and houses more than 140 companies.

Oct. 22, 2004 — Announces the Campaign for Purdue has passed the $1 billion mark, and the campaign goal is raised from $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion.

Oct. 28, 2004 — Becomes the first Purdue president to visit India. Later he visits China, Taiwan and Japan on behalf of Purdue.

Nov. 18, 2004 — Announces Purdue will modernize and integrate its administrative data systems. The project, expected to be completed in 2007, is called OnePurdue.

Nov. 19, 2004 — As part of a strategic plan update, Jischke announces 146 new faculty members have been hired and student aid has been increased by 25 percent over the past two years. He also cites continuing improvement of the university's infrastructure, with more than $500 million in new construction under way.

December 2004 — Inside Indiana Business and Indy Men's Magazine name Jischke as one of Indiana's Keepers, people who not only make Indiana a better place, but who also would be greatly missed.

August 2005 — Purdue's first universitwide Honors Program welcomes its first students.

Oct. 11, 2005 — Named chairman of the Association of American Universities, which represents the country's most prestigious research universities.

Nov. 3, 2005 — The Association of University Research Parks recognizes Purdue Research Park for Excellence in Technology Transfer, an award presented annually to the AURP member that best demonstrates success in the commercialization of university research through existing businesses or startup companies in a business incubation environment.

Nov. 10, 2005 — Indiana Chamber of Commerce chooses Jischke as Volunteer of the Year.

Nov. 11, 2005 – Announces progress toward strategic plan goals: Number of distinguished professorships has grown to 116. More than half of new faculty hires have been minorities or women. Purdue has led the way to create the Center for Regional Development, has formed partnerships with 10 more certified technology parks and has expanded the scope of the Technical Assistance Program, which now also serves the health care industry.

Dec. 17, 2005 — Reports the complete upgrade and renovation of all of university residences dining services has entered its last phase. Newly constructed and renovated dining and residence halls have won several design awards, including recognition for Cary Quadrangle, Ford Dining Court and Earhart Dining Court. Renovation work on Windsor Halls began this summer.

Feb. 3, 2006 — Trustees grant academic autonomy to Purdue North Central.

March 1, 2006 — Appointed by President George W. Bush to a seat on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

April 7, 2006 — Announces Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne will partner with the city and Allen County in a three-phase development to reroute traffic, extend a greenway with trails along the St. Joseph River and create a multi-use park that includes improved access to the river.

May 25, 2006 — A gift of 40 acres in New Albany will enable Purdue, in cooperation with Indiana University Southeast, to open a new technology park and expand Purdue's College of Technology academic programs in New Albany.

June 2, 2006 — Trustees approve planning, financing and construction of a $3 million, 8,100-square-foot childcare center that comes in response to employee requests. Trustees also approve moving forward on the 12,500-square-foot, $3.82 million Purdue Village Community Center.

July 17, 2006 — The Campaign for Purdue surpasses the $1.4 billion mark.

July 2006 — Purdue now offers more than 200 study-abroad and internship programs in dozens of countries, and sends about 1,000 students abroad each year. Purdue was selected as one of five institutions in the country to receive the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, honoring colleges and universities for overall excellence in internationalization efforts.

Aug. 29, 2006 — The Richard G. Lugar-Purdue Summit on Energy Security calls together leaders nationwide to work toward a strategy to reduce American dependence on imported oil. The emphasis is on policy and alternative fuels.

August 2006 — Purdue nears strategic plan goals as the June 30, 2007, completion date approaches: 249 of the additional 300 faculty called for in the plan have been hired, and the university is on track to hire the remaining 51. SAT scores remain at an all-time high, up 40 points since 1999. Six-year graduation rates improved 2.4 percent for 2005-06, a record high. Of the $800 million in new construction called for in the plan, $464 million is completed, $184 million is in progress, and $141 million is planned. The projects are financed primarily by private gifts.

A hallmark of the Jischke administration has been the addition and renovation of facilities across campus. Projects that have been completed or are nearing completion include:

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management Building