 |
Alumni News
Ag Econ Alumni Earn "Distinguished Ag" Awards
 Mr.
Nels Ackerson, B.S. '67, is Founder and Chairman of The Ackerson
Group. While at Purdue, he served as Student Body President, FarmHouse
Fraternity President, and National FFA President. After completing
his BS in Agricultural Economics from Purdue, he earned an M.S.
in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree
from Harvard Law School.
He returned to Indiana to practice law, but then began to focus his career on international law. Before starting his own law firm, Mr. Ackerson had a career that included a partnership in a large international law firm where he practiced law on five continents. He opened and managed the first American law office in Egypt, represented clients in matters in 30 countries, tried lawsuits from California to New York, and served two years as Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution.
In recent years, he has become known for his nationally prominent litigation involving the nation's largest telecom companies, railroads, and the federal government. This litigation has created a number of landmark decisions in several state and federal courts.
Ackerson and his wife, Sharon Carroll, have four children. Although he has a home in Maryland, near his Washington D.C. office, and an apartment in Indianapolis, he and his sister still own the family farm in Westfield, Indiana.
As Ackerson thinks back about his experience at Purdue, he states, "The Purdue School of Agriculture shaped my career plans and opportunities. I was constantly inspired to do my best, and I received a great deal of encouragement. In addition to a great interest in public policy, the school offered close relationships and a family-type culture not common in large universities."
 Mr.
Ted McKinney, BS '81, is Manager of Government and Public Affairs,
Global Leader, Public Affairs - Biotechnology, Dow Agrosciences.
After earning the 1981 G.A. Ross Award for Outstanding Male Graduate
at Purdue University, he began his career as an Ag Chemical Sales
Representative and Marketing Communications with Elanco Products
Co. In 1986, he became Senior Corporate Communications Associate
with Eli Lilly and Co. He has been in his current position with
Dow Agrosciences since 1990.
He still remembers receiving his first blue ribbon in photography at the Tipton County Fair at the age of 10. He recalls, "It is incredible what that will do for enthusiasm and motivation for the future." As a 10-year 4-H member, he is still very loyal to the organization and serves on the Indiana 4-H Foundation Board. He also led the committee that brought the National FFA Center to Indianapolis, IN. He says, "I got so much out of those two organizations, I feel there is some duty to give back. 4-H teaches involvement, skill development, interacting with others and various qualities. FFA is unequivocally the premier youth development organization in the world."
The father of three, McKinney spends his spare time with his children and their activities - including 4-H. He comments, "I don't miss many of their activities - that's important to me." As far as his Purdue memories, McKinney says, "Purdue had a great deal to do with shaping who I am in two major areas - the course content and campus activities. Education is certainly books and study, but it's also interaction with people. This is a people world no matter what your life's desires."
Ag Econ Alumni Reunion
Put Saturday, October 19, 2002 on your calendars. The Department
of Agricultural Economics will be hosting a departmental reunion!
This activity is being planned
just for you to meet and greet your old friends, faculty, and retirees. This
event will be before the Purdue/Michigan State football game (a block of tickets
will be reserved for the game for those who wish to sit together).
Registration will begin three hours before kick-off (game time
will not be set until closer to the game date) and a pre-game
brunch will be served two
hours
before kick-off in a tent on the front lawn of Agricultural Administration.
Look inside for registration information!
- Meet the new department head
- Visit friends and faculty
- Enjoy a great meal by Parrett's
Catering
- Catch up on departmental happenings
- Watch a Boilermaker Football
Game
Ag Econ Alumni Reunion Registration Form
|
