Purdy '38 awarded degree for environmental conservation efforts
Caitie Williamson
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
Lawrence University honored Virginia Purdy, class of 1938, Monday, April 20 by awarding her an honorary doctorate of humane letters for her efforts in environmental conservation. The degree is awarded annually to alums that have a particularly distinguished career and have been large supporters of Lawrence.
Provost and Dean of the Faculty David Burrows presented the award. As Purdy lives in Buffalo, Wyo., the degree was accepted in absentia by senior Megan Bjella who, as director of Lawrence's sustainable garden, embodies Purdy's ideals of environmental conservation.
"A lot of the work Purdy's done in terms of thinking about the environment in an integrated way and being aware of all of the complexities of the environment is something I strive to emulate," Bjella said.
According to Burrows, Purdy's award is particularly fitting because of her ties with the environment and Lawrence's current Green Roots initiative - Purdy's recognition was even the kick-off of Lawrence's Earth Day events.
"[Degrees] are a way for an institution of higher learning to recognize people who have been important for education," Burrows said. "Purdy has been both an alumna and very involved in the environmental movement."
Purdy's ties with Lawrence did not end with her graduation. She served on the board of trustees for 17 years, from 1985 to 2002, when she was named trustee emerita.
Purdy's experience at Lawrence was one that left her a knowledgeable person in many ways, which is one reason she continues to support Lawrence.
"Students leave [Lawrence] with a feeling of a great spread of knowledge in their education - not only literary, but artistic, and a kind of education that makes a well-rounded individual," Purdy said.
Purdy, the only child of Danish immigrants, grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Appleton, where the Copps grocery store on Calumet Street is currently located. After graduating, she moved to Buffalo, Wyo., where her uncle had homesteaded.
Provost and Dean of the Faculty David Burrows presented the award. As Purdy lives in Buffalo, Wyo., the degree was accepted in absentia by senior Megan Bjella who, as director of Lawrence's sustainable garden, embodies Purdy's ideals of environmental conservation.
"A lot of the work Purdy's done in terms of thinking about the environment in an integrated way and being aware of all of the complexities of the environment is something I strive to emulate," Bjella said.
According to Burrows, Purdy's award is particularly fitting because of her ties with the environment and Lawrence's current Green Roots initiative - Purdy's recognition was even the kick-off of Lawrence's Earth Day events.
"[Degrees] are a way for an institution of higher learning to recognize people who have been important for education," Burrows said. "Purdy has been both an alumna and very involved in the environmental movement."
Purdy's ties with Lawrence did not end with her graduation. She served on the board of trustees for 17 years, from 1985 to 2002, when she was named trustee emerita.
Purdy's experience at Lawrence was one that left her a knowledgeable person in many ways, which is one reason she continues to support Lawrence.
"Students leave [Lawrence] with a feeling of a great spread of knowledge in their education - not only literary, but artistic, and a kind of education that makes a well-rounded individual," Purdy said.
Purdy, the only child of Danish immigrants, grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Appleton, where the Copps grocery store on Calumet Street is currently located. After graduating, she moved to Buffalo, Wyo., where her uncle had homesteaded.
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