Grissom Classic Tees OffAt 1 p.m. Thursday, June 24

Purdue alumni, fans, friends, and all golfers
are invited to Thursday’s Grissom Classic
and Scholarship Banquet in Jasper.
AS THE CLOCK COUNTS DOWN to Thursday’s shotgun start, the Purdue Club of the Dubois County Area issues yet another invitation for all golfers, alumni, fans and friends of Purdue to join Club members and golfers in the 2010 “Gus” Grissom Classic and Scholarship Banquet at Sultan’s Run, in Jasper, on Thursday, June 24.

“We invite everyone to join us on Thursday,” said Club President Don Book. “We have arranged a terrific special guest from Purdue, and already expect a large turn-out to join us in honoring this year’s four Grissom Scholars. Sign in by noon on Thursday, and join us!”

The very-special guest, from Purdue’s departments
of Engineering and Aeronautics and Astronautics,
is Dr. Barrett S. Caldwell.

“Dr. Caldwell has deep ties to Purdue and NASA and the Indiana Space-Grant Consortium,” added Book. “If any high-school students have any questions about engineer- ing, aeronautics or astronautics, Dr. Caldwell represents your very best opportunity to ask questions and learn how much Purdue offers you, and how much a degree from Purdue University will be worth to your career in the air. He'll have plenty time to talk with you on Thursday.”

Dr. Caldwell will also enjoy a day of golf with all who attend. The shotgun-start will happen at 1 p.m. E.D.T. Dr. Caldwell, who grew up in Philadelphia, will make his first appearance on the golf course – any golf course – in thirty years. Golf analysts do not expect him to win the Classic, but he does look forward to enjoying a day of fellowship with those who do.

Dr. Caldwell’s credentials as an engineer and aviator are far more impressive than those as a golfer: He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with two B.S. degrees, in 1985. He then earned a Master’s Degree at University of California-Davis in 1987, and a Doctorate, same university, in 1990.

Currently, Dr. Caldwell spends his time teaching at Pur- due, sharing public relations across Indiana and spreading word of the Discovery project.

“Half of my job is in ‘Discovery and Learning.’ That involves me in research into spaceflight and healthcare teams,” said Dr. Caldwell. “It’s all about interacting with students on our Fall Space Day and FIRST Robotics.” Dr. Caldwell even helps write the textbooks used at Purdue and many other research universities across America. “It is our job – my job – to be a resource and source of excel- lence for the state and its citizens, and to help communi- cate that value within and beyond our state boundaries.”

"In the Beginning..."

SPEAKING OF "BEYOND BOUNDARIES,” Dr. Caldwell traces his interest in space to a night that no participant in the Space Race has yet forgotten: Dec. 24, 1968 – a Bench- mark of world history in which three American astronauts became the first humans to witness “earthrise” above the lunar horizon. "Yes, I stayed up on Christmas Eve 1968 to watch the broadcast of Apollo 8. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders gave the Genesis reading, and I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life."

He enjoys the past as much as he enjoys his current duties, but there’s more. There is also the public-relations angle, and that is what will bring him to the county and the Classic on Thursday.

“I describe myself as an explorer and scout, and it's essen- tial for me to be able to explain and translate what I do for alumni, students, and the public,” Dr. Caldwell said in a May interview. “This is true for my job as Director of the Indiana Space Grant: Our mission from NASA is to inspire, engage, educate and employ the next generation of explor- ers." Dr. Caldwell might meet some of them next week.

When the day’s golf concludes, attendees will move in- doors for a catered banquet, remarks from Dr. Caldwell, and presentation of the winners of the 2010 Grissom Scho- larships. They are: Ms. Hannah Burgess and Mr. Tyler Jenkins, both of Jasper High School; Ms. Molly Johnson, NE Dubois High School, and Mr. Justin Wendholt, of Forest Park High School. The four will receive their scholarship checks at the banquet.

The Grissom Scholarship is named in honor of astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom. Grissom graduated from Purdue in 1950, was named as one of America’s “Original Seven” astronauts in 1959, and became the first astronaut named to fly in each of America’s original spaceflight projects — Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.

All people who need information, who would like to take part in the day’s banquet or golf – regardless of handicap – and all who need information on joining the Purdue Club, are asked to contact Mr. Craig Knies at ph.: 634-1635, or E-mail at: c.knies@insightbb.com today.

Purdue Club Announces2010 Grissom Scholars

THE CATS ARE OUT OF THE BAG, so to speak, along with one Jeep and one Ranger. Winners of the 2010 “Gus” Grissom Scholarships are Hannah Burgess and Tyler Jenkins, of Jasper High School; Molly Johnson, of NE Dubois H.S., and Justin Wendholt, of Forest Park H.S.

All four will receive their scholarship checks, $1,000 apiece, at the Grissom Scholarship Banquet at Sultan’s Run Golf Course on June 24. The scholarship and the banquet are sponsored by the local Purdue Alumni Club.

The four scholars graduated from their respective high schools in May, and will begin freshman studies on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus in August.

Across the next few days, we will present a quick sketch
of each honoree.

Hannah Burgess
As the No.-two-ranking senior of J.H.S.’s class of 2010, HAN- NAH BURGESS tries harder. The effort has served her well:
She is only two months from beginning six years that will make
her a Purdue pharmacist in 2016. The salutatorian wrapped up
her Jasper career with a weighted GPA of 4.522.

By the end of August, she will become only the second mem- ber of her family to "hit the bricks" of the Purdue campus. (Her brother gave it a start in 2008.)

Why Purdue?

“I was on the campus for Scho- lars’ Day, in January,” explained Hannah. “That’s when I learned about an international study program that will give me an opportunity to spend a year in Kenya. That’s what got my attention. And for the rest of the day, the campus, the facilities, the people – everything – really just blew me away. After that day, I was sure I wanted to go to Purdue. Now, it's almost time to get started.”

As soon as she arrives on campus, she will begin looking for any number of extracurricular activities to keep her entertained. Dance, Math Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Nessie Club occupied much of her “free” time at J.H.S. Similar pursuits are in her Purdue plans.

After Purdue and after Kenya, Hannah will set her sights on a residency in a hospital, probably in a large city on this side of the ocean. Look for Hannah, ultimately, in the field of pediatric pharmacy.


Tyler Jenkins
Long before TYLER JENKINS took possession of his J.H.S. diploma, he had set his mind on four years at Purdue and a degree in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. With lift-off only two months away, his dream is about to become reality. Although he admits to a degree of inexperience in the cockpit,
he dreams BIG.  

“Beyond Purdue, I’ll work for NASA may- be, or Boeing. Right now, I’m just diving in. I’m sure that eventually I’ll find something specific that interests me.”

Taking a quick step back, one could call Tyler a globetrotter considering his years in Taiwan, North Carolina and, most recently, Atlanta. The family traded Atlanta for Jasper in 2002. So when and why did Purdue enter the mix?

“I realized I wanted to go into engineering, and I began seriously considering Purdue two years ago. I went to a football camp there a year ago, and everything has kinda fallen into place." A weighted GPA of 4.323 at J.H.S. helped make several major decisions considerably easier.

Tyler understands that as an aeronautical engineer, a background in airplanes, jets or next-generation space shuttles could only be a benefit. He is ready to begin pilot training as soon as the curricu- lum calls for it. How does a non-pilot become interested in flying after eighteen years on the ground?

“Aviation has interested me my whole life,” said Tyler, “so I decided to just do it. I think it’s fascinating that something so large can fly.” Wheels Up, Tyler!


Molly Johnson

To say MOLLY JOHNSON’s life has “gone to the dogs” would only inspire her to keep things moving in the same direction. She’s a high-school graduate now, but by age 12 she was helping veter- inarians and animals at the Jasper Pet Clinic, where her dad, Dr. Charles Johnson, was building his clientele. In 2010, the senior Johnson (yet another Purdue D.V.M.) owns the Animal Medical Center, in Jasper, Molly's current place of employment.

As a NE Dubois Jeep, Molly was President of her senior class. She filled her spare time with commitments to Academic Bowl, All-Stars, the Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, Spanish Club, Spell Bowl, track and 4-H. She might be a Jeep forever, but “I have Boilermaker blood, bred and born a Boilermaker,” she recently admitted. Already, she and her family have logged many trips and thousands of miles on the Jasper-West Lafayette trek for football games, FFA events, Spell Bowl and others. There will be many more.

Upon arriving on campus in August, Molly will go straight into Purdue’s pre-vet curriculum. She expects to have her D.V.M. degree in 2016. What then?

“I plan on coming back here, to Dubois County, and working here until dad retires. Then, maybe I’ll buy the practice… keep it in the family.

“I’ve been ready for this for a long time!” she said last week. “I’m ready to get started!”


Justin Wendholt
“My brother goes to Purdue, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.” For that reason, let us give credit to brother Jason for inspiring JUSTIN WENDHOLT to choose Purdue for his first college degree. A month ago, Justin wrapped up his high-school years with a diploma from Forest Park H.S. In August, he’ll take his first steps toward a degree in health sciences. His long-range goal is a career as a chiropractor.

“Health Sciences is new at Purdue, but the success rate after graduation is high whe- ther going for another degree or directly into the workforce,” said Wendholt. “I plan to start my own practice as a chiro- practor after Purdue. That might put me in Dubois County or someplace bigger; Chicago, maybe.”

Expect success: Wendholt compiled a 3.975 GPA at Forest Park, and did it while staying plenty busy with extracurricular activities. He was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and earned letters in Ranger Football and Baseball. Had F.P.H.S. awarded letters for time served on student council, Justin would have won there, too: He was President of his class across all four years of high school.

FOR THE SIXTEENTH TIME, the Club has honored an impressive crop of Grissom Scholars. They will be the focal points of the Club’s scholarship banquet on the 24th. At 1 p.m., however, golf- ers will ply the fairways, hazards and slopes of Sultan’s Run. As a reward to all challengers, the Club will put several cash prizes up for grabs: Low gross, low net and probably a longest drive or two will serve as rewards for the best of the best.

Golfers of all skill levels are invited to help make the day enjoyable and successful. Money raised throughout the day will fund next year’s Grissom Scholarships. Anyone who plays the game with a “standard” foursome, any golfer who more often plays solo, the Purdue Club wants ALL!  If you have no foursome, directors will find one for you.  ALL golfers are Welcome among us!

For more information, please contact Classic Chairman Craig Knies at ph.: 634-1635; E-mail: c.knies@insightbb.com.