Kenneth Christmon chosen as a 2020 Purdue University Dreamer Award recipient

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—An honor recognizing individuals and organizations whose actions embody Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of service to others will be presented to Purdue University Fort Wayne Associate Vice Chancellor of Admissions Kenneth Christmon on Tuesday. Christmon will be one of three individuals receiving the 2020 Purdue University Dreamer Award at an afternoon ceremony in West Lafayette.

The Dreamer Award, first presented in 2004, recognizes excellence within the Purdue community and accomplishments consistent with its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Christmon is being honored for lifetime achievement.

“This award is a fitting recognition and tribute to Ken,” said Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, chancellor of Purdue University Fort Wayne. “His dedication to service, diversity, and human rights is unparalleled, both on our campus and in our community, and we are all so proud of him as he receives this very special award.”

Christmon’s responsibilities at Purdue Fort Wayne include working to expand college access and enrollment, in addition to diversity-based enrollment and institutional initiatives.

“Dr. King believed the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically,” Christmon said. “We all must strive to think intensively, think critically, and to act in a manner that positively impacts the lives of students for the sake of learning. I continue to find inspiration in these guiding principles, and it gives me joy to be acknowledged with this award for a life of service and achievement in higher education.”

Christmon has been a valuable member of the Purdue Fort Wayne community since 2004. He has twice received a Seed for Success Award from Purdue University, an annual recognition given to investigators within Purdue’s research community whose efforts helped secure an externally sponsored award of $1 million or more.

Christmon started his career in higher education in 1997 at Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private, historically black university owned and operated by African Americans. While there, Christmon served as director of admissions and presidential spokesperson.

Off campus, Christmon also supported the African Methodist Episcopal Church for 15 years as a keynote and motivational speaker, grant writer, and education support specialist.

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