When: Thursday, March 1, 2012

Where: Hilton Woodbridge at 120 Wood Avenue. Iselin, NJ 08830
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Agenda:

6:30 to 7:00PM Welcome Guests
7:00 to 7:10PM Introduction of Dean Leah Jamieson and speakers, Dean Sunil Saigal (Dean of Engineering at NJIT, PhD Purdue) and Sarah Klosek, Esq. (MS from Purdue and Attorney at Fox Rothschild)
7:10 to 7:30PM Dean Jamieson speech
7:30 to 7:45PM Dean Saigal speech
7:45 to 8:00PM Sarah Klosek speech – “An Overview of Select Revisions to United States Patent Law under the America Invents Act”.

Cost: $10 for alumni and FREE for admitted students and parents. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks being served. All proceeds go toward a scholarship for students attending Purdue from our club area.

RSVP by Tuesday, February 28, 2012, to Young Lee at (732) 589-4568 or PurdueNJ@gmail.com

Thanks to our sponsors: the Purdue Alumni Club of New Jersey and Fox Rothschild LLP!

http://handsofhopenj.net/

For a full link to the photos, please visit:

https://picasaweb.google.com/PurdueNJ/HandsOfHopeFoodPantryDecember162011?feat=email

http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/102911aaa.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Blake Wrestling Center was full on Saturday as the Boilermakers opened up the 2011-12 season with their annual intra-squad wrestle-offs. Head coach Scott Hinkel put together his initial depth chart of the season off the results as the Boilermaker competed in about 30 matches on the afternoon.

“It was a great afternoon for our guys,” said Hinkel. “We got in a lot of matches and everyone competed hard.”

The two large brackets on the day were at 157 and 165 pounds, where junior Tommy Churchard won the five-man bracket at 157 and freshman Chad Welch was victorious at 165. Churchard topped freshmen Doug Welch and Cody Robertson on his way to the finals, where he beat Robinson, 3-1, on a last-second takedown. Welch didn’t give up a point on the day, beating sophomore Cameron Vlahos, 3-0, and sophomore Kyle Mosier, 2-0.

Some of the other thrilling matches on the day came at 174 and 285 as sophomore Patrick Kissel held off freshman Drake Stein at 174 and junior Adam Walls took a second tie-break win from senior Roger Vukobratovich, 5-3. Kissel had Stein under control, leading 10-1 going into the third, but Stein took Kissel to his back in the final period and nearly got the pin. Kissel fought off his back and held on for the decision. Walls and Vukobratovich went back and forth with escapes through 10 minutes of wrestling, but Walls managed to escape and turn straight into a double-leg takedown for the late win.

Pins on the day came from senior A.J. Kissel, sophomore Cashé Quiroga and freshmen Braden Atwood, Brandon Nelsen and Dominique Price, while sophomore Camden Eppert had a pair of technical falls. Patrick Kissel and junior Ivan Lopouchanski each had a technical fall and Quiroga, Mosier and freshman Doug Welch had major decisions.

“We want to thank everyone who came out today to watch and support our program,” said Hinkel. “We’re excited about this season and we’re glad to see that our fans are too. It’s going to be a great year.”

The Boilermakers get their official season underway next Saturday at the Eastern Michigan Open.

2011 Purdue Wrestle-Offs

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011

11 a.m. – Blake Wrestling Center

Match Weight Wrestlers Result

1 – 157 Doug Welch vs. Tommy Churchard D 4-1

2 – 165 Cameron Vlahos vs. Andy Hoselton D 4-1

3 – 125 Luke Schroeder vs. Camden Eppert TF 18-2

4 – 133 Cashé Quiroga vs. Matt Fields MD 15-2

5 – 141 Jake Fleckenstein vs. Rusty Maness D 7-3

6 – 174 Patrick Kissel vs. Andy Wiseman TF 16-0

7 – 285 Roger Vukobratovich vs. Adam Walls TB2 5-3

8 – 157 Tommy Churchard vs. Cody Robertson D 5-0

9 – 157 Dustin Schultz vs. Pat Robinson D 4-0

10 – 165 Cameron Vlahos vs. Chad Welch D 3-0

11 – 165 Kyle Mosier vs. Austin Kunze MD 15-5

12 – 141 Rusty Maness vs. Brandon Nelsen Fall 2:12

13 – 174 Andy Wiseman vs. Drake Stein MD 19-8

14 – 285 Adam Walls vs. Alex White D 3-2

15 – 125 Luke Schroeder vs. Dominique Price Fall 5:57

16 – 133 Matt Fields vs. Danny Sabatello D 4-2

17 – 149 Ivan Lopouchanski vs. Brock Norton TF 21-6

18 – 157 Doug Welch vs. Dustin Schultz MD 9-1

19 – 165 Andy Hoselton vs. Austin Kunze D 6-4

20 – 184/197 Braden Atwood vs. Preston Quam Fall 4:37

21 – 197 Justin Dinius vs. A.J. Kissel Fall 2:54

22 – 141 Jake Fleckenstein vs. Brandon Nelsen D 5-2

23 – 174 Patrick Kissel vs. Drake Stein D 12-7

24 – 285 Roger Vukobratovich vs. Alex White D 8-3

25 – 125 Camden Eppert vs. Dominique Price TF 18-2

26 – 133 Cashé Quiroga vs. Danny Sabatello Fall 1:09

27 – 157 Tommy Churchard vs. Pat Robinson D 3-1

28 – 165 Kyle Mosier vs. Chad Welch D 2-0

29 – 157/165 Cody Robertson vs. Andy Hoselton D 10-5

Dean Chris Earley discussed his background, experience and goals for his tenure at the new Dean of the Krannert School of Management.

For a copy of Chris Earley’s presentation, please download the following: “Some Thoughts and Background on the Changing Nature of Business Schools -Krannert’s Unique Global Opportunities”

Evan Kelsay (BS Mgmt 2006), Enterprise Relationship Manager at LinkedIn discussed:

1. Best practices for leveraging LinkedIn
How professionals are using LinkedIn today, utilizing its latest technology and the power of your network
2. Recruitment 3.0 and how social media is turning recruiting upside down
3. Tips for attracting top talent to your company or top companies to your talent

For a copy of Evan’s presentation, please download the following: Recruitment in the New Millenium – 2011

For a full link to the photo gallery, please visit:

https://picasaweb.google.com/purduenj/MeetNewKrannertDeanChrisEarleyAtWFCInNYCOctober72011

What is your career progression since graduating from Purdue?

In 1975, While completing my dissertation I got a late night telephone call from a friend who had been a graduate student with me at Case Tech. He asked me if I knew anything about Foreign Exchange forecasting. When I assured him that I was clueless, he hired me. At Chase Econometrics in suburban Philadelphia I used my quant skills to forecast currencies and model political risk. I then went on to work for an EVP at Chase Manhattan Bank assessing bank performance.

My wife and I were most happy in Philadelphia and we didn’t want to relocate to New York City, so I left Chase and became a consultant with a boutique management firm in Philadelphia. In the early 1980’s I went over to General Electric (still in suburban Philadelphia) to work on an immense classified project. In 1987, when I grew tired of being a road warrior and living in Washington, D.C., hotels I found a position with Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) a piece of Bell Labs that was now owned by the “baby bells.” My family moved to New Jersey as a result.

In 1995, a professional acquaintance who was a Vice President at IBM tempted me with a most interesting opportunity, so I came on board there. The challenge was to develop an effective method for sharing project management success within a large (35,000 employee) organization, IBM Global Services. IBM Global Services provides consulting and project management worldwide. Somewhere within IBM there is someone who has mastered a specific domain, for example Software Maintenance, and somewhere within IBM there is someone in charge of a Software Maintenance project who lacks that experience. And it’s most unlikely that these two will ever meet. So I was part of a team that developed a great methodology for sharing expertise.

In 2005, I went from IBM to IBI (Information Builders, Inc.) as a manager of the Project Management Office. In 2007, I moved over to the Bank of New York Mellon as a Vice President in their Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) – where I coached and monitored senior project managers. I was downsized in 2009 as more jobs are shifting away from NYC to Pittsburgh and elsewhere.

When an old friend of mine heard that I was “looking”, I became a consultant in the Science and Technology division of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA.) We brought in our project on-time and in-budget.

My IDA contract ended in June of 2011 and I’m now looking for an opportunity to coach and lead project managers.

In parallel with my civilian career I was able to continue to serve in the Army. Drafted in 1970, I served on active duty for two years in the Army Chief of Staff’s Office (General Westmoreland) and the continued in the Army Reserve. I continued to serve in the Chief of Staff’s Office, then moved over to the Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition. I was promoted to Colonel in 1992. My last ten years with the Army were at the Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership, where I commanded a team of colonels during the annual Strategic Crisis Exercise. I retired from the Army in 2001.

Where are you from and what made you decide to attend Purdue?

I was born on a freight train along the Polish-Ukrainian border. After a sojourn in D.P. (displaced person) camps in Germany, my family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when I was about four years old. I grew up in Cleveland, but was living in suburban Washington, D.C. when I choose Purdue.

To make a short story, long — I did my B.S. at Case Tech (now part of CWRU) in Cleveland and was a graduate student at Case but when the late Professor Dan Teichroew took a department chair at the University of Michigan I followed him there. I subsequently got drafted. I received an M.S. from UofM. After completing my active duty tour I worked as a civil servant within the Department of Defense, saving up funds to go back to school. By then two friends from Case Tech where professors at Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. Krannert offered an excellent opportunity to pursue my interests so I jumped into my car and headed West.

What is your favorite memory during your time there or after?

I remember sitting in an accounting class when a classmate wondered aloud whether what we were learning was only of academic interest. Without missing a beat, this professor replied, “I happen to be an academician!”

What career advice would you have for students?

Seize opportunities to find challenging work that’s fun and make sure that you’re working alongside great people — people you can consider friends. I’ve been most fortunate to get up every morning looking forward to going to my work. If that’s not the case — then move on.

In high school, Jake would develop his skills and talent wrestling from 112 pounds up to 130 pounds in East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana under the watchful eye of head wrestling coach, Mark (Scott) Schwarz, who also coaches football. “At the time, we had a great group of kids who were brought up together in the youth program and Jake was one of the leaders of the pack,” Schwarz said. Coach Schwarz recognized Jake’s talent and work ethic early on in middle school and would ask Jake to work out with the high school team to help develop the young athlete. The hard work would pay off as a freshman in 2004, where his dedication and immediate impact to the team was shown by his recognition of the “Newcomer Award.” Growing up in a small town, his father Torry would drop him off near a utility building halfway towards school around 6:00AM each day where he would meet Coach Schwarz for a morning workout of lifting weights or running before class started. “For someone like Jake, the higher we set the goal, the harder he would work to accomplish it. Therefore, we continued to set the bar higher and higher and he was determined to get there,”  Schwarz said. As Jake developed into a leader, he was voted team captain as a senior and received the “Most Valuable Wrestler” award in 2006 and 2007. Jake’s father, Torry and Coach Schwarz always pushed him but in opposite ways – his father was every energetic and vocal whereas Schwarz who is more soft spoken, set high standards of excellence for his wrestlers and his athletes knew what the final goal was without the need to have Schwarz remind it to them each day.

Jake wrestled much of his senior year of high school ranked first in his weight class and entered the Indiana state tournament with much excitement and anticipation after finishing fifth in the state as a junior. Fleckenstein would fall short of his goal of becoming a Indiana state champion as he lost in the state tournament during a quarterfinal match and wrestled back for fifth place again. “Our hearts just sank when we watched Jake get turned to his back and eventually lose that quarterfinal match in overtime knowing how much time and effort he had put into the sport,” his father Torry Fleckenstein explained. However, as a tribute to Jake’s character and resolve, while most would kids would have packed it in after losing and not realizing their goal of becoming a state champion, Jake wrestled back for fifth place again. “He was undefeated entering the state tournament and would only finish with one loss as a senior,” Coach Schwarz stated.  ”Indiana is a unique state for the sport of high school wrestling as there is only one state champion per weight class (instead of grouped by school size) and quarterfinalists can only wrestle back for fifth place instead of third place,” Purdue Wrestling Coach Scott Hinkel said. ”Most kids at the top level of Division 1 wrestling are multiple time state champions or at least top three in there weight class from their respective state, so you often have some athletes that may be overlooked,” Hinkel explained. Disappointed with how he would finish his high school wrestling career, Jake would face more challenges as he learned that many of the NCAA Division I wrestling programs that had recruited him began to lose interest. Even though he had some friends and former teammates that wrestled at Indiana University, the school also did not offer Jake any opportunities to pursue the sport in college.

After wrestling at the high school Senior National tournament where he wrestled a few matches and eventually lost to Kellen Russell (Blair Academy graduate and NCAA Champion at 141 lbs for the University of Michigan), Jake received a phone call from Purdue wrestling coach Scott Hinkel on the drive back home with his father Torry. “Your best wrestling is yet to come” explained Hinkel and invited Jake for an official visit to campus. Coach Hinkel saw potential in Jake and a bit of himself as he had experienced the same challenges as a high school senior where he would also finish fifth in the state after a quaterfinal loss. “I thought Jake was slick on his feet and thought he had lost a match that he probably would have one 9 out of 10 times. We had some former Purdue wrestlers in the area who were coaching that recommended to take a second look at Jake despite his high school finish and saw a hidden gem. As I look back, Jake was actually one of the first official student athletes I had recruited since Jesse Reyes was still the head coach at the time and I wasn’t exactly sure I would even have the opportunity to become the head coach,” Scott Hinkel said. The same day Jake received his scholarship offer to sign with Purdue, Indiana University contacted Jake with an offer to wrestle there after one of their incoming recruits had backed out from a scholarship offer. Jake decided that since Scott Hinkel stuck with Jake from the beginning, despite falling short of some of his goals, that he would pursue his higher education and continue his wrestling career at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “We were impressed with the presentation of Purdue from Coach Scott Hinkel to our family, who also grew up in the same area in Ohio. The total package of a degree from a top university, opportunity to wrestle in the Big Ten, and successful career opportunities upon graduation was the perfect fit for someone like Jake ” Torry Fleckenstein said.

For Jake, the toughest transition from high school wrestling to college was the fact that his technique was still not as developed as his peers since he did not grow up around participating in wrestling his whole life as others do. He did not have to look far for top workout partners to train with each day as Chris Fleeger, a two time NCAA finalist and three time All-American would find time in help develop Jake’s skills to then next level. “Chris and I worked each day in a manner which I would describe as tough love. Fleeger taught me how to hand fight, be stingy, and beat me up every day,” Jake said. In the practice room, his teammates tease him and call him “Dr. Fleckenstein” for his sarcastic comments. “Doctor Fleckenstein” has tried to utilize the experience  and draw on the strengths of the entire Purdue wrestling coaching staff.  For example, head coach Scott Hinkel and former coach Chris Fleeger have been instrumental in helping Jake develop his takedown skills and defense on his feet.  Jake is not afraid to work out with even the upper weight coaches like Ben Wissel or Tom Erikson who are explosive and can gain learn from their experience at competing on the national level. Fleckenstein also works closely with Ben Sprunger and Pete Rodgers to discuss strategy on his opponents and ability to ride his opponents from the top position.

After a great summer of work outs and pre-season training, Jake started his freshman year with a grand entrance and won the Eastern Michigan open and as a result of his performance was honored as “Big Ten Wrestler of the Week.” A few weeks later, he would wrestle at the prestigious Midlands tournament where he tore his hamstring and could not come back to wrestle that season. As a sophomore, Fleckenstein won the wrestle off’s to earn a starting spot on the team but developed another leg injury when he tore his groin muscle during a dual meet against Rider in Virginia. Jake was determined to come back strong from the injury and came back within five months instead of the six months that doctors had scheduled for him. As a junior, Jake cut weight and made the transition down to 133 pounds where he would defeat Lou Ruggirello, an All-American at Hofstra, in an early season match at Edinboro in Pennsylvania. Eventually, he moved back up to 141 pounds for the team where it was a more natural weight class despite being smaller for the weight. This year, Jake has worked closely with the team’s new weightlifting coach  by putting on weight and strength in the offseason in order to make a name for himself not only at the Big Ten Tournament (on campus at Purdue in West Lafayette this March 3rd and 4th, 2012) but at the national NCAA tournament as well. Fleckenstein enters his final season as a wrestler for Purdue with a clear goal:  to become an NCAA All-American. With his determination, drive, and ability to overcome obstacles, Jake is looking to make his dream a reality this spring. “Our goals for Jake this year is the same as all of our members of our senior class (Matt Fields, Jake Fleckenstein, A.J. Kissel, and Roger Vukobratovich): 100% graduation rate, 3.0% Grade Point Average (GPA), and to be prepared to win everytime they step on the wrestling mat. Throughout Jake’s wrestling career at Purdue, he has proven his ability to get big wins over top wrestlers but he needs to be able to put seven tough minutes together during a match and be consistent throughout the entire season,” explained Scott Hinkel.

Watch more video of Fighting Scot Duals on flowrestling.org

In the near future, the 141 pound red shirt senior plans to apply for a medical redshirt and will hear back from the NCAA in the next month on whether or not  he will be able to get another year of competition back after two injury riddled seasons were cut short. After graduating from Purdue, Jake will utilize his degree in movement and sports science to pursue a career in physical therapy, a growing industry with the baby boom generation entering into retirement. “My wife is involved in the home health field and daughter is a contractor for the World Health Organization so I think hearing about the medical field growing up may have sparked an interest for Jake,” explained his father Torry. Fleckenstein also plans to continue to stay involved with the sport and has considered moving back near his home town to help with the local high school programs. “While most college students would probably forget about their high school program, Jake has made it a priority to give back and help coach kids at local summer camps,” Scott Schwarz said. He hopes that one day, he can give back to the sport which has given so much to him by having an opportunity to get into coaching on the collegiate level. “I am so proud to be a member of the Purdue wrestling family,” Jake said. “I enjoy spending time with some of the recently graduated wrestlers and upper classmen on the team whom I have spent so much time training and going into battle with. I know these bonds will last not only in college but throughout life.”

On the average school day, you can find Jake can wake up around 5:00AM for a lift or run, shortly followed by classes and rehabilitation for his leg injuries in the afternoon around 2:00PM. After two hours of wrestling practice, you can find Jake studying together with the Purdue wrestling team in small groups until he finally gets home around 7:00-9:00PM before enjoying an hour or two of personal time before bed. Despite his busy schedule as a Purdue wrestler, Jake knows that no other sport will teach him the life skills like discipline, motivation, and  strong work ethic that wrestling has taught him. He hopes to take this “blue collar” work ethic and approach to his academics and professional career after graduation. “The self reliance, mental toughness and willingness to help his team are traits that Jake will be able to utilize after his wrestling career is over” Scott Schwarz said, who still follows his pupil’s wrestling career online through PurdueSports.com and other wrestling websites. “As a father, I hope that Jake can walk away from the sport without any disappointments, knowing that he gave it his best shot and that his family is very proud of him,” Torry said.

“Don’t look for gratification for what is expected…do something great,” Jake said. That’s what drives Jake every day and will push him towards his goal of standing on the podium at the NCAA’s this upcoming season as a 141 pound wrestler for Purdue and a successful career as a physical therapist upon graduation.

Media Links:

Player Bio from PurdueSports.com: http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/fleckenstein_jake00.html

Press Release as Big Ten Wrestler of the Week: http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/110408aaa.html

Video from win over Nathan McCormick of Missouri, 4-2 to help #21 Purdue defeat #16 Missouri in December 2010:  http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=475551248810

High School Wrestling Photos:

What is your career progression since graduating from Purdue?

I graduated from Purdue in 2000 with a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. While at Purdue, I decided I wanted to practice patent law. So, one month after graduation, I entered law school at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey. I am now admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I started my legal career at an intellectual property boutique firm in Manhattan, but I am now a senior associate at Fox Rothschild LLP in the Lawrenceville, New Jersey office. I counsel sole inventors, entrepreneurs, universities, and corporations in all aspects of intellectual property law.

Where are you from and what made you decide to attend Purdue?
I was born and raised in New Jersey and received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Rowan University, located in Glassboro, New Jersey. Purdue’s graduate program in Chemistry is consistently ranked among the top programs in the country. So, for me, it was a no-brainer that I would attend Purdue if accepted into the program.

What is your favorite memory during your time there or after?
My favorite memory is when I attended the departmental orientation for graduate students. I made so many wonderful friends during that event. One of those friends, who is from Hawaii and received her Ph.D. from Purdue, is now working in the Philadelphia area. Since she lives so close by, we get to see each other often and reminisce about our days in West Lafayette.
What career advice would you have for students?
Connect with professionals already working in your field of interest. Ask lots of questions about their experiences so you have a realistic view of your potential career.

My wife Donna and I will be going to the Purdue vs. Penn State game October 15 starting at 12 noon. We will be staying at the Country Inn and Suites in Lewisburg which is about 75 miles east of State College, PA. There are many available
motel rooms in the Lewisburg area (near Bucknell) and as of 9/21/11 the Purdue Ticket Office still had tickets available. If you are going to the game and staying in the Lewisburg area I am willing to organize a dinner/pep rally Friday night 9/14.
If you are interested please send an e-mail to PurdueNJ@gmail.com.

Go Boilers,

Bob English
VP, Purdue Club of NJ

What is your career progression since graduating from Purdue?

Where are you from and what made you decide to attend Purdue?
I was born in Europe and educated in Europe and the US bouncing back and forth. I married my HS sweetheart right after HS and we both went to work and college part time. We’ve lived most of married lives in NJ with a short stay in Chicago when my husband spent a semester there. Since my education was completed at night , I bounced between schools and finally graduated from Thomas Edison State College. I decided to go for my master’s whilst working for AT&T and selected Purdue because of its reputation and the structure of the Executive MBA program. I liked the international semester component and the 3 weeks on campus twice a year and the balance done from remote. This fit my work and travel schedule and facilitated my focus on studying.

What is your favorite memory during your time there or after?
My favorite memory was crossing the finish line with my last exam. Just a really good feeling followed by some tearful farewells to the others that I studied with.

What career advice would you have for students?
Start your network in school and stay in touch with your classmates and professors.