Betty Nelson knows how to go out in style. In 1995, Betty retired from Purdue with a celebration titled “Betty’s Blast-Off, Celebrating Dean Nelson’s Past, Present, and Future.” (1) Guests were invited to the social with invitations depicting ice cream cones and the words “Here’s the Scoop!” Betty’s “fan club members,” of which there were many, lined up to give their best wishes for the retiring Dean. For someone with as much spunk and spirit as Dean Nelson, there was no better way to appropriately celebrate her going away. Although Betty had blasted off into her retired life, her legacy had only just begun. 

     Betty wasted no time before diving into the Greater Lafayette community and expanding her outreach beyond Purdue. Angie Klink describes Betty in retirement as:

 “Her head bent slightly forward, scurrying to the next volunteer meeting, community art shows, Purdue reception, Purdue retiree event, or alumni gathering…she [swirls] through a room of Purdue community members or civic friends, talking with each person, remembering tidbits of their lives, including personal triumphs and challenges. She [is] never afraid to speak to the heart of a matter with fearless candor softened with humor and her serene grace.” (2) 

     Although Betty’s extracurricular commitments seem to be endless, some of her current and past involvements include member of the University Libraries Dean’s Advisory Council, Lafayette Community Campaign Steering Committee, University Convocations Advisory Board, Purdue University Retirees Association, a board member and officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, the first woman president of the Lafayette Rotary club, an active board member of the Lafayette YWCA, president of the Lafayette YWCA Foundation, officer of the Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society, and chair of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars selection committee. In regard to her extensive list of involvements, Betty says, “People are really important to me. They inspire me.” As for curiosity, “It enriches life phenomenally. It causes me to see things and wonder.” (3) 

     As a result of her tireless dedication to enhancing the lives of those in the West Lafayette community, Betty has received numerous awards from those impacted by her efforts. At Purdue, she has been given honorary memberships in some of the most distinguished campus organizations including but not limited to Iron Key, Mortar Board, Old Masters, Alpha Lambda Delta, Reamer Club, and Omicron Delta Kappa. In 2014, she was awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Membership award from Mortar Board, which recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their professional lives, representing Mortar Board’s commitment to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. When receiving the award, Betty humbly stated, “I think maybe I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’m thinking this is more about modeling some behavior to get others excited about doing things with their students in their community.” (4) Additionally, Betty was awarded the Grand Marquis de Lafayette for her contributions to the community and leadership as a volunteer. Within Greater Lafayette, Betty significantly helped Indiana Business College, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation. Despite its length, this list of awards is nowhere near complete nor indicative of the influence Betty has had in making West Lafayette and Lafayette a more inclusive, kind-spirited community. Jane Hamblin, former associate dean of students and friend to Betty, eloquently describes Betty’s drive for equality. She writes that Betty is “a tireless advocate for equal opportunities and equal rights, [she] does not let a day go by without focusing a watchful eye on the gender, racial and ethnic make-up of corporate boards in her community; without failing to draw attention to the accessibility of a venue or event; or without doing the hard work of helping others navigate the hidden, but very real, barriers placed in their way by a slow-moving social structure.” (5)