In light of his passing earlier this month, Purdue Athletics and the John Purdue Club have announced that George Shahnasarian '78 was honored with this year's Diamond P Award in a private ceremony. This is an annual award given to a donor who is a spectacular example of what it means to be a Boilermaker, who support the department financially, and have maintained other connections to Purdue Athletics. It is the John Purdue Club's highest honor and is traditionally given out at the Old Gold & Black Dinner.
"George was the epitome of a true Boilermaker," says Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. "He was a person of great warmth and compassion, and our student-athletes have valued his supportive presence at athletic contests over the years. I could think of no better recipient for this year's Diamond P and was honored to present it to him virtually this year."
If you have attended a Purdue Athletics contest, you likely have had the pleasure of cheering on the Boilermakers alongside super-fan George. He had been a fixture at Purdue Athletics events for decades – home, away, and international. He also enjoyed spending his time at John Purdue Club and various alumni events. These activities had been cherished and prioritized by George and his family.
While each event and contest George attended was near and dear to his heart, he especially enjoyed cheering on women's basketball and traveling to games outside of the United States.
People who knew George can attest that he was indiscriminately kind and selflessly strives to do what is best for Purdue.
Over the years, George had supported more than a dozen areas of need on campus including the Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Krannert, Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Musical Organizations, and Purdue Bands & Orchestras. But his biggest passion was Purdue Athletics and providing an endowed scholarship for a student-athlete with the Shahnasarian Family Scholarship for Football – this year's recipient is sophomore Jack Cravaack. Previous recipients include Alex Criddle and J.D. Dellinger. This lifetime commitment was an important step for the Shahnasarians in their many efforts to support current and future Purdue students as it simultaneously promotes both academics and athletics.
The motivation behind his steadfast support always came back to the students. It's a motivation that became personal when his three daughters, Tania, Alissa, and Alexandra, decided to graduate from Purdue. They followed in the footsteps of George, his late wife Karen, and two of George's cousins.
Over the years, George remained a positive presence and stalwart supporter of Purdue. Purdue Athletics appreciated George's wide-ranging commitment to Purdue and is grateful that enriching the student-athlete experience was one of his highest priorities. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Purdue student experience will leave a legacy that will touch the lives of Boilermakers for years to come.
Boilermakers everywhere are grateful to have called him a friend. He will be dearly missed.
To watch the video that was shown to George and his family in a private award ceremony, click here. To make a gift in George's honor, click here.
"George was the epitome of a true Boilermaker," says Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. "He was a person of great warmth and compassion, and our student-athletes have valued his supportive presence at athletic contests over the years. I could think of no better recipient for this year's Diamond P and was honored to present it to him virtually this year."
If you have attended a Purdue Athletics contest, you likely have had the pleasure of cheering on the Boilermakers alongside super-fan George. He had been a fixture at Purdue Athletics events for decades – home, away, and international. He also enjoyed spending his time at John Purdue Club and various alumni events. These activities had been cherished and prioritized by George and his family.
While each event and contest George attended was near and dear to his heart, he especially enjoyed cheering on women's basketball and traveling to games outside of the United States.
People who knew George can attest that he was indiscriminately kind and selflessly strives to do what is best for Purdue.
Over the years, George had supported more than a dozen areas of need on campus including the Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Krannert, Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Musical Organizations, and Purdue Bands & Orchestras. But his biggest passion was Purdue Athletics and providing an endowed scholarship for a student-athlete with the Shahnasarian Family Scholarship for Football – this year's recipient is sophomore Jack Cravaack. Previous recipients include Alex Criddle and J.D. Dellinger. This lifetime commitment was an important step for the Shahnasarians in their many efforts to support current and future Purdue students as it simultaneously promotes both academics and athletics.
The motivation behind his steadfast support always came back to the students. It's a motivation that became personal when his three daughters, Tania, Alissa, and Alexandra, decided to graduate from Purdue. They followed in the footsteps of George, his late wife Karen, and two of George's cousins.
Over the years, George remained a positive presence and stalwart supporter of Purdue. Purdue Athletics appreciated George's wide-ranging commitment to Purdue and is grateful that enriching the student-athlete experience was one of his highest priorities. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Purdue student experience will leave a legacy that will touch the lives of Boilermakers for years to come.
Boilermakers everywhere are grateful to have called him a friend. He will be dearly missed.
To watch the video that was shown to George and his family in a private award ceremony, click here. To make a gift in George's honor, click here.