Continuing Education at Purdue University, 19752019 traces the history of Continuing Education at Purdue over four decades under eight deans and directors. It describes Purdue's outreach to nontraditional learners across Indiana through off-campus classes. The volume tracks the evolution of distance learning as an efficient way to provide educational opportunities to students across Indiana and nationwide, demonstrating Purdue's rise as a national and international conference venue, providing professional development and personal enrichment. This book illustrates Purdue's leadership in Indiana's groundbreaking online learning partnership among its state universities. It culminates in the dramatic launch of Purdue's independent online campus, Purdue Global. Written by two experienced Continuing Education administrators, Continuing Education at Purdue University, 19752019 shows how this department shaped practices and policies for innovative educational programs under evolving strategic directions in Purdue's top administrative tier. This volume follows Continuing Education at Purdue University: The First Hundred Years (18741974) by longtime Continuing Education director Frank K. Burrin.
Tom Robertson is a native of Oxford, Indiana. He received his BA, MS and Ed.S degrees from Purdue University. Robertson worked in the department of Continuing Education at Purdue University for thirty-four years. He retired from Purdue's Conference Division in 2017, where he was a senior conference coordinator. He served as interim director of the Conference Division in 20092010. While working at Purdue, Robertson was active in a number of professional organizations: University Continuing Education Association, Association of Continuing Higher Education, Indiana Association of Adult and Continuing Education, and Phi Delta Kappa.
Michael Eddy earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Purdue University. In 1986, he joined Continuing Education to manage its communications and marketing. In 1997, Eddy assumed administrative responsibility for evening classes, extension classes, distance learning courses and degree programs, senior programs, and travel courses. He served in leadership for the Indiana Council for Continuing Education from 1997 through 2000. He represented Purdue to the Indiana Partnership for Statewide Education from 1997 to 2013. The University Professional and Continuing Education Association recognized Eddy's career with its 2015 John L. Christopher Outstanding Leadership Award. In 2018, Indiana's governor recognized his service to the state with the Circle of Corydon award as he retired from a thirty-two-year career in Purdue Continuing Education.
