Frederick L Hovde Award of Excellence

BACKGROUND

Frederick L. Hovde served as president of Purdue University from 1946 until his retirement in 1971. During that time, over 80,000 men and women graduated from this institution, enrollment more than quadrupled, the physical plant doubled to keep pace, and the University’s programs and curricula were expanded or revised to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of Indiana.

Dr. Hovde believed in higher education and sought to put it within the reach of every person. At the same time, he continually demanded excellence in teaching, research, and service, and in dedication to the University’s role as Indiana’s Land Grant Institution. On the occasion of Purdue’s centennial celebration, Dr. Hovde wrote, “Indiana has been good to Purdue University. Purdue can reflect with pride that it has honored that trust and can pledge without reservation that it will continue to be an educational institution dedicated to the development of your sons and daughters into full man and womanhood.”

PURPOSE

The Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., presented to Purdue University a generous monetary gift in honor of President Frederick Hovde. The gesture was made in appreciation of Dr. Hovde’s 25 years of leadership to higher education in the state. The University established the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana.

The Award is given annually to a Purdue University faculty or staff member and has a two-fold purpose: (1) to recognize outstanding educational contributions by a faculty or staff member to the well-being and progress of rural Indiana, and (2) to encourage continued achievement and service.

The Award carries with it an $800 cash prize and a plaque for the recipient. A permanent display bearing the award winners’ names is in the Agricultural Administration Building at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus.

ELIGIBILITY

Purdue University has many outstanding faculty and staff members who, over the course of time, have contributed to the improvement in the quality of life of the rural people of Indiana. It is fitting and proper that an institution, such as Purdue, recognizes one of its own for outstanding contributions and performance in providing educational excellence to rural people of Indiana. These individuals have contributed in a way and to a degree that is recognized as significantly above the norm. “Above and beyond the call of duty; going the extra mile; outstanding; excellent leader; and, making the best better” are phrases that would be used frequently to identify those who would be considered a worthy recipient of the Hovde Award. It is in this spirit that you are invited to nominate someone to be considered by the selection committee.

Any person who is an active member of the Purdue University faculty and staff as of the nomination deadline, with a record of outstanding achievement and service to rural Indiana may be nominated for the

Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence. Persons in all colleges, schools, divisions, and units of the University, including regional campus and field staff as well as those based at the West Lafayette campus, are eligible.

A nominee’s contributions to the progress of rural Indiana may have been in one or more of the following areas:

• Outstanding classroom and counseling performance
• Outstanding research achievement
• Outstanding extension education/engagement programs

NOMINATIONS

Identifying and adequately documenting outstanding performance is not easy, and we recognize the seriousness and magnitude of the task that we are asking you to undertake. The members of the Screening Committee must have documentable evidence in writing to support a nomination and to explain why the performance is judged to be outstanding. If you are submitting a nomination packet on behalf of an organization, the Selection Committee asks that within the statement of support of the nominee you reflect on the specific impact that the activities (research, teaching, and/or extension/engagement) had on the organization and its membership.

1. Nomination of an eligible Purdue faculty or staff member can be submitted by any individual or organization serving or otherwise interested in the well-being of the people of rural Indiana.
2. Nominations may be updated and submitted for consideration up to three The nomination form MUST be accompanied by at least one, but no more than five, additional one-page letters of support. The nomination form with support letter(s) attached must be submitted electronically together in one nomination document.
3. Nominations should be submitted via email to agdean@purdue.edu by noon (EST) on Friday, September 5, 2025.  

Download the Nomination Guidelines and Form (fillable pdf).

PROCEDURE

Immediately after the nomination deadline, the Selection Committee will evaluate all nominations and choose an award recipient. Members of this committee, chaired by the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, include: (a) the directors of the College of Agriculture research, extension, and undergraduate teaching programs; (b) three representative leaders of rural Indiana; (c) the president or designee of the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.; (d) the president of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association; and (e) the president or designee of P-CARET.

PARTICIPATION

All persons and organizations acquainted with Purdue University and having an interest in the welfare and progress of rural Indiana are invited to participate in selecting the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence recipient. If you have questions concerning the award, or would like further information about a faculty or staff member you wish to nominate, contact the Dean of Agriculture’s Office at agdean@purdue.edu or 765-494-8392.

Previous Recipients