Purdue Board of Trustees awards 2 posthumous degrees
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue Board of Trustees awarded two posthumous degrees Friday to an undergraduate student and a graduate student who died before the completion of their degree requirements.
Chloe Helene Hannah, 21, of Annapolis, Maryland, died Aug. 30, 2023, and Brent Kreinop, 44, of Orleans, Indiana, died March 19, 2023. Purdue board members approved both posthumous degrees saying, “this is the best way to honor their legacy,” according to Chairman Mike Berghoff.
Hannah received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautics and astronautics. She would have been a graduation candidate for May 2024, according to files from the Purdue Office of the Registrar.
During Friday’s meeting, a photo of Hannah was projected on the screen as board members discussed the posthumous degree.
“It is hard to ignore how full of light that picture (of her) is,” Berghoff said.
As is echoed in Hannah’s obituary.
“Chloe was a member of Purdue's Navy ROTC where she held multiple leadership posts and was a trusted mentor to her fellow midshipmen. Chloe had a passion for life and enjoyed many different hobbies and interests including flying, riding roller coasters, and rockets,” the obituary reads. “Chloe was active in life and sports with running, swimming, squash, tennis, boating, and ballet. She loved all of her dogs and cats.”
Hannah’s family asked that all donations in Chloe’s honor be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
Brent Kreinop was described by board member JoAnn Brouillette as a “lifelong learner.” In addition to his studies, Kreinop was employed at Naval Crane Base working as a computer programmer in the naval warfare center, she said.
Kreinop received a master of science degree in defense engineering technology. He would have been a graduation candidate for December 2023, according to files from the Purdue Office of the Registrar.
Kreinop’s work focused specifically on expeditionary warfare, or operations on or near foreign shores, according to the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.
“I want to thank both of them [Hannah and Kreinop} for their service to our country,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “I am very proud and saddened by this resolution in paying our due respect to their richly deserved honor.”
Kreinop’s family asked that all donations in his honor be made to the American Heart Association.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue Board of Trustees awards 2 posthumous degrees
