Purdue Student News

Concern for public safety prompts tree removal

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:27:00 EDT

A decaying horse chestnut tree on Purdue University's Memorial Mall was removed Wednesday (July 1) to ensure public safety.

The tree, which had several decaying branches, will be replaced this fall at a location yet to be determined, said Gary Evans, director of grounds.

2 Indiana students earn Wade Steffey Memorial Scholarship

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:42:00 EDT

Two students from Indiana have been selected as recipients of the Wade Steffey Memorial Scholarship.

Trent Huckstep of Carmel and Kelli Chupp of Osceola are set to enter Purdue in the fall. The scholarship provides $2,000 for each of the students for the 2009-10 academic year.

Purdue Summer Band to begin practices June 16

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:34:00 EDT

Instrumentalists throughout Greater Lafayette are welcome to participate in Purdue's Summer Band, which is led by Jay Gephart, director of Purdue Bands.

The band, which will play a program of light classics and jazz music at 7:30 p.m. July 14 at Slayter Center of Performing Arts, meets twice a week for a month prior to the concert. It is open to Purdue students, high school students, university faculty and staff, and area musicians. No auditions are necessary.

Hard work and 'drive' leads Iles to Grand Prix win

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:33:00 EDT

Perseverance paid off for senior Travis Iles as he raced to the winner's circle in Saturday's (April 25) 52nd running of the Purdue University Grand Prix.

Iles, an industrial management major from Mt. Vernon, Ill., moved into third by the 14th lap, worked his way into the lead by lap 40 and held on for the remainder of the 160-lap race. This is Iles' fourth Grand Prix and his first win.

Students invited to submit designs for homecoming T-shirt

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:04:00 EDT

The Purdue Student Union Board is hosting a design contest for the 2009 Homecoming T-shirt.

The contest is open only to Purdue students, and the winner will receive $200 in free textbooks from Follett's bookstores.

Purdue Memorial Union rings in the holiday season

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:41:00 EST

The holiday season at Purdue University kicks off Monday (Dec. 8) with the arrival of a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in the Memorial Union's Great Hall.

The tree, which is scheduled to arrive at the Union at noon, is a donation from Karen and Jack Ferry of Lafayette. Karen Ferry has been a Purdue employee for 31 years and currently works in the payroll department.

Purdue orchestras to perform Dvorák, Beethoven symphonies

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:39:00 EST

The Purdue Symphony Orchestra and the newly formed Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra will perform symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonín Dvorák during a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13).

The concert will take place at the Long Center for Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Admission is free.

Trustees OK Wang Hall architect, master plans for two campuses

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:19:00 EST

The Purdue University board of trustees on Friday (Nov. 21) approved hiring an architect to plan Seng-Liang Wang Hall, the College of Engineering's new electrical and computer engineering building in Discovery Park.

The board also approved campus master plans for Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and Purdue North Central.

Task force to review, implement Higher Education Opportunity Act

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Purdue University has formed a task force to review and manage the implementation of the Higher Education Opportunity Act 2008, which addresses issues including the accessibility and affordability of higher education.

Pam Horne, assistant vice president for enrollment management and dean of admissions, said the law's requirements will impact many campus offices, including academic, admissions, athletics, campus security, career services, disability services, financial aid, registrar, student activities, veteran affairs and others.

New scholarship programs greet collegebound students

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:09:00 EDT

At this time of year, high school seniors in Allen and surrounding counties are completing college applications and juniors are getting more serious about their college search. It's an exciting but stressful time for students and families as they match goals and expectations with finances and opportunities.

Indiana residents are fortunate to have access to a wealth of in-state public colleges and universities. And new financial assistance initiatives at many of these institutions are making an investment in a college education more affordable. At Purdue, for example, a new Access and Success program provides scholarships for three groups of students: Twenty-first Century Scholars, those from middle-income families and academic high achievers. The program is supported by a $304 million endowment drive.

Campus, community events set for Green Week

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:39:00 EDT

Details have been set for several campus and community events planned during Purdue University's Green Week Sept. 15-19, including an Alternative Transportation Challenge and a Wabash River cleanup.

The goal of the second annual Alternative Transportation Challenge is to encourage students and residents to use buses, carpooling, biking or walking to get to classes, work or to run errands for the week.

Community pitches in to 'Detrash the Wabash'

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:39:00 EDT

Volunteers work to scour areas around the Wabash River and collect trash on Friday afternoon (Sept. 19) during Detrash the Wabash in West Lafayette. The event, part of Purdue's Green Week, involved numerous groups of volunteers from the university and the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette.

Purdue confers degrees during summer commencements

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:46:00 EDT

Purdue University awarded 1,184 degrees to students during commencement ceremonies in August.

Of the degrees presented, 538 were undergraduate degrees, six were professional degrees, 360 were master's degrees and 280 were doctoral degrees. The commencement ceremonies were conducted in Elliott Hall of Music on the West Lafayette campus.

Chinese students to learn about American culture during exchange

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:56:00 EDT

A group of students from four of China's top universities will spend July 13 to Aug. 2 at Purdue University to learn about American life and culture as part of an experimental summer program.

Twenty-six students are coming from four of Purdue's top Chinese partner institutions -- Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Ningbo University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Riall W. Nolan, associate provost and dean of international programs, is overseeing the program, which is being offered for the first time.

Purdue food services help fill food pantries across the region

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:38:00 EDT

Purdue University's Housing and Food Services has contributed more than 10 tons of food since December to the Lafayette food bank that stocks pantries and onsite feeding programs for the needy in 16 Indiana counties.

The donations come primarily from University Residences' dining courts and restaurants, the university's Food Stores, which purchases food served at all on-campus venues, and students living on campus.

5 Purdue students earn Emerging Leader Awards

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:14:00 EDT

Five Purdue students recently received Emerging Leader Awards during the university's Student Activities and Organization awards ceremony.

The recipients were Grant Haeussler, a freshman in the College of Engineering from Naperville, Ill.; Debra Lin, a sophomore in the College of Engineering from Plano, Texas; Justin Nelson, a sophomore in the School of Management from Fort Wayne, Ind.; Jessica Nuss, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts from DeMotte, Ind.; and Tyler Reynolds, a freshman in the College of Agriculture from Noblesville, Ind.

Purdue tests new video delivery technology for residence halls

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 15:22:00 EDT

Students in Purdue University residence halls have seen the future of Internet video in a first-of-its-kind test of a networking technology.

Students living in the first and third floors of Purdue's Owen Residence Hall participated in a pilot test of multicast video delivery, which is a new way of delivering high definition programming over the Internet.

Film students intern at one of the nation's largest music festivals

Fri, 30 May 2008 11:06:00 EDT

Sixteen Purdue University students will participate in a summer internship with entertainment video professionals during the June 5-8 annual Country Music Association's (CMA) Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn.

"This year our students will play a bigger role in the festival's largest act, the stadium show, as well as handling nearly every aspect of the video production at smaller Riverfront stage," said Bill Callison, manager for academic outreach at the Hall of Music Productions, who teaches the internship course for third- and fourth-year students in the Film/Video Studies program. "The students will help install and operate one of the largest video displays in the world, including using cutting-edge technology that has never been attempted in a live production. The invitation to expand our responsibilities at the festival demonstrates the professional caliber these students are capable of in the live video production industry.

Purdue group begins collection for Chinese earthquake victims

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:26:00 EDT

The Purdue University Chinese Students and Scholars Association has begun a collection to help victims of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck China on May 12.

According to Jingyao (Isabella) Zhang, the organization's president, the Purdue group has already collected about $6,000 for the relief effort. Zhang said the group will send all the donations it receives to the Silicon Valley Tsinghua Network's China Earthquake Relief Fund, which will forward 100 percent of the money to the Red Cross Society of China.

Purdue Union Commons restaurant complex wins national award

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:43:00 EDT

Purdue University's Union Commons, a complex of restaurants in the Purdue Memorial Union, has been named one of the top on-campus dining facilities in the nation by the National Association of College and University Food Services.

Competing in the 35th Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, Purdue took second place among large universities in the retail sales-multiple concepts/outlets category. Competitors were graded on the quality and variety of menus, presentation of prepared foods, marketing and advertising, and business considerations such as managing food costs and matching retail trends.

2 Purdue campuses shift to federal Direct Loan Program

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:30:00 EDT

Effective for fall 2008 semester enrollment, Purdue's West Lafayette and North Central campuses will offer loans funded by the federal Direct Loan Program, university officials announced Monday (May 12).

Purdue University Calumet already uses the Direct Loan Program.

Purdue graduates urged to reach for stars while charting futures

Fri, 9 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Purdue University President France A. Córdova encouraged new graduates to not only reach for the stars when pursuing their own dreams, but to advance the dreams of people everywhere.

Córdova spoke to candidates during four spring commencement ceremonies taking place this weekend (May 9-11) in Elliott Hall of Music.

Córdova to graduates: 'We believe in your potential'

Fri, 9 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Welcome on this wonderful occasion as we celebrate the success and the future of our Purdue University graduates.

Graduates, I know you have worked long and hard to reach this moment. Oh, the exams you've taken, the papers you've written, the text messages you've sent!

Purdue Convocations announces its 2008-09 season

Thu, 8 May 2008 23:45:00 EDT

Purdue Convocations' 2008-09 season will include 27 shows, six series and three special events, including a variety of Broadway musicals, plays and musical events.

Highlights of the season include Broadway musicals such as "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Chicago" and "Ain't Misbehavin'," which stars "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard, as well as performances in Elliott Hall of Music of "STOMP," "Birdhouse Factory" by Cirque Mechanics, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and The Irish Tenors.

Purdue enrollment management, alumni association work to instill good spending habits in students

Tue, 6 May 2008 10:46:00 EDT

Purdue's Office of Enrollment Management and the Purdue Alumni Association have joined forces to offer a service that urges students and young alumni to develop smart money management skills.

Developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education, Cash Course serves as a way universities can help college students and recent graduates cultivate positive money management habits that will last a lifetime, said Joyce Hall, Division of Financial Aid executive director.

Purdue Hilltop Council members named

Mon, 5 May 2008 16:06:00 EDT

Purdue University's Hilltop Apartments, home to 1,000 on-campus students, named its 2008-2009 Hilltop Council officers and members.

Council members were elected by fellow residents after an election campaign and speech. The council is responsible encouraging intellectual, physical, emotional and social development of Hilltop residents. The council's executive board plans social and educational programs for Hilltop residents.

Purdue listens to students, closes last of its 'old school' cafeterias

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EDT

With students increasingly demanding restaurant-style eating on campus, Purdue University Residences is closing the last of its traditional residence hall cafeterias on Friday (May 2).

Tarkington Hall Dining Room will serve its last meals between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The 50-year-old, 210-seat dining room is closing to make way for a 500-seat standalone dining court that will open this summer just south of the Tarkington-Wiley residence hall complex.

Police chief selected as Purdue director of grounds

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:11:00 EDT

Purdue police Chief Gary Evans is leaving his position of four years to become director of grounds for Purdue Physical Facilities, and John Cox has been named interim police chief, university officials announced Friday (April 25).

Evans, who has spent 24 years in law enforcement, became Purdue's police chief in March 2004 after 16 years with the Valparaiso (Ind.) Police Department. He will assume his new duties May 1.

Purdue students stir up success in Sara Lee competition

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:07:00 EDT

A trio of Purdue University students stirred their way to success, winning the $10,000 top prize Thursday (April 24) in the Sara Lee Innovation Award competition.

The team's winning entry, Tuscan Essentials Biscotti, provides caramel or raspberry flavoring when stirred into hot drinks and can then be eaten as a snack

Awards ceremonies honor Purdue agriculture students and staff

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:57:00 EDT

Purdue University agricultural students and staff members were honored for their achievements at both the University Honors Convocation and the College of Agriculture Spring Awards Program on April 13.

"The awards programs are a time to pause and celebrate the excellence of Purdue agriculture," said Dale Whittaker, associate dean of agriculture and director of academic programs. "When you look at the resumes of these students and staff, you realize that these awards recognize a lifetime of individual choices to be the very best and to support others. This is the college's way to say thank you for a job well done and for contributing to the quality and excellence of Purdue Agriculture."

Service-learning projects gain momentum, funding

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EDT

The number of classes at Purdue University that incorporate service-learning, through which students apply the skills they learn in the classroom to community service, has grown from 31 in 2002 to more than 150.

To advance these efforts, the Office of the Provost has awarded $5,000 each to five professors named as 2008 Purdue Community of Service-Learning Faculty Fellows. The honorees include:

IUPUI student wins Purdue Grand Prix after wreck stalls race

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:21:00 EDT

Jon Laski, an Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis senior from Torrance, Calif., won Saturday's (April 19) 51st annual Purdue University Grand Prix.

Laski spent most of the race in first or second, behind junior Matt Bartolowits of Indianapolis, who was forced to leave the race under a black flag with less than 30 laps remaining.

Purdue 'All-American' Marching Band tunes up for China trip

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:16:00 EDT

The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band has started working on pieces for its upcoming trip to China for a music festival, but one of its most remarkable members, the Big Bass Drum, may be unable to make the journey.

Standing more than 10 feet high when mounted on its field carriage, the Big Bass Drum definitely won't fit in an overhead storage bin, so Purdue Bands officials are trying to make alternate arrangements.

Purdue to use more efficient method to construct new, cleaner boiler

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:14:00 EDT

The Purdue board of trustees on Friday (April 11) approved constructing a new clean-coal technology boiler using a novel procurement method that can shorten construction time and lower costs.

Purdue will use the design-build method, which by Indiana law allows higher education institutions to hire a single contractor for both design and construction services. Typically, design and construction work are bid separately.

Purdue students honored at annual awards convocation

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Purdue students were recognized for their academic achievements and leadership on Sunday (April 13) during the university's annual Honor Convocation at Elliott Hall of Music.

Steven Tsung Lin Lee, a biomedical engineering major from West Lafayette, Ind., received the $500 G.A. Ross Award for the outstanding graduating man. Lee has had numerous research opportunities as an undergraduate student, including work with the National Institutes of Health, undergraduate research at Purdue and working as a research intern at the Wells Center at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He is the community service chair for Mortar Board, president of the Purdue chapter of Engineering World Health and an ambassador for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Lee will continue his education through a joint M.D./Ph.D. program through Indiana University and Purdue in the fall. The G.A. Ross Award is made possible through a gift from Ross, a 1916 alumnus.

Purdue launches $304 million drive for scholarships, programs

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 10:17:00 EDT

Starting this fall, new students enrolling at Purdue University will benefit from a $304 million campaign called Access and Success that will expand student aid and programs, President France A. Córdova announced Wednesday (April 9).

The fund drive and internal reallocations will expand the university's student aid contribution to at least $77 million annually. Much of the money raised will be placed in endowments, and endowment earnings will be used to fund the efforts.

Students will film Pope's mass during his New York City visit

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 16:02:00 EDT

Purdue University film and video students will be part of the crew that films Pope Benedict XVI's papal Mass during his New York City visit later this month.

Five students and instructor Bill Callison, manager for academic outreach at Purdue's Hall of Music Productions, will leave for New York City on April 15 to prepare to film the April 20 concert and papal mass at Yankee Stadium. While the Pope speaks, the footage will be projected on the stadium's video screens for the expected audience of 60,000, as well as sent on a satellite feed for television outlets.

Week set aside to honor Purdue student employees

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 14:55:00 EDT

Purdue student employees will be honored April 13-19 as part of National Student Employment Week.

The Student Employment Services in the Division of Financial Aid at Purdue and the National Student Employment Association promote the week in April as a way to recognize the important role that student workers fulfill on and off campus.

Gift to build new home for Purdue Musical Organizations

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 01:10:00 EDT

A Purdue alumnus on Sunday (April 6) kicked off the university's presidential inauguration week with a pledge of $4 million to help build a new home for Purdue Musical Organizations.

Ralph E. Bailey and his wife, Bettye J. Holder Bailey, of Naples, Fla., and Greenwich, Conn., made the lead gift to construct a facility expected to cost as much as $8 million. The music groups currently are housed in a corner of Elliott Hall of Music.

Purdue Panhellenic Association to offer new member convocation

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:01:00 EDT

The chair of the National Panhellenic Conference will speak at a sorority member recruitment convocation at 7 p.m. Wednesday (March 19) in the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.

Julie Burkhard, the National Panhellenic Conference chair and former national president of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, will serve as the keynote speaker of the event. The convocation is designed for new sorority members. She will talk to the students about recruitment and a lifetime commitment to the sorority community.

Universities give new generation of students more dining choices

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:13:00 EDT

A national food trends expert says food service providers who want to succeed must provide this generation of college students nearly unlimited choices and feed their egos.

"In the 1980s we were given a meal plan; now students demand a MY Plan or else they will take their business elsewhere," consultant Chris Wolf said at the National Association of College and University Food Services 2008 Midwest Regional Conference at Purdue University. "We're training children to feel entitled. Students come to college expecting choices."

Hoosier chef takes regional culinary competition at Purdue

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:04:00 EDT

An Indiana native won the Iron Chef-style cook off this week at Purdue University as part of the National Association of College and University Food Services 50th annual Midwest Region Conference.

Each chef was given just one hour to prepare a complete meal for four people anchored by this year's key ingredient, striped bass. A team of professional judges awarded Ball State University chef Jason A. Reynolds the first prize medal for his presentation of pan seared striped bass accompanied by shitake mushroom polenta cake and creamed spinach.

University Residences students head to Louisiana to rebuild Katrina-damaged homes

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 14:50:00 EST

Purdue University Residences is sending 60 residents and staff members to Louisiana during spring break to help rebuild hurricane-damaged homes.

Two busloads of volunteers will leave from Shreve Hall about 7:30 p.m. Friday (March 7). Teams will be sent for one week to two locations on the bayous south of New Orleans, Houma, La., and Dulac, La.

Junior wins Miss Purdue Scholarship Pageant title

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:22:00 EST

Kelly Bouwman, a Purdue University junior in the School of Management, on Saturday (Feb. 23) was named the winner of the Miss Purdue Scholarship Pageant.

Bouwman of Fremont, Ind., won more than $1,000 in scholarship money and gifts from local businesses. She also will go on to compete in June's Miss Indiana Pageant in Zionsville, Ind., where thousands of dollars in scholarships will be available, as well as a trip to the Miss America pageant.

Class of 1937 scholarships offered to Purdue undergraduate students

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:02:00 EST

Current Purdue University undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships offered by the Class of 1937 for the 2008-09 academic year.

The number of scholarships will be determined by the interest earned on the Class of 1937 endowment during the past year. An average of 20 scholarships have been awarded each year since 1987-88, with individual scholarship amounts ranging from $250 to $4,000. Each scholarship amount will be split between the fall and spring semesters.

Purdue merges programs for students with disabilities

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:14:00 EST

Two Purdue University programs for students with disabilities are merging Monday (Jan. 14) to create the Disability Resource Center.

The new center will combine the efforts of both of the programs, TAEVIS, or Tactile Access to Education for Visually Impaired Students, and Adaptive Programs. Both programs are affiliated with the Office of the Dean of Students.

Purdue summer interns available for interviews

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:58:00 EST

Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program will refer as many as 100 of its summer interns to Indiana companies.

Employers can initiate the intern recruiting process by registering on the program's Web site at http://www.purdue.edu /TAP/intern or by calling the TAP office at (765) 496-9792. After registering, employers will receive resumes from qualified students. Purdue staff will assist with scheduling students for interviews through Friday, April 25.

Purdue emergency plan adds text messaging

Sun, 6 Jan 2008 23:45:00 EST

Purdue officials announced Monday (Jan. 7) that the university has purchased a text messaging service to provide emergency notification.

2SMS Business Text Messaging will provide the service through the spring semester. The service is one layer of the university's notification process to alert students and staff to emergency situations.

New fellowship will bring math, science teachers to rural Indiana

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:46:00 EST

A new fellowship program funded by the Lilly Endowment will help Purdue University train and support future math and science teachers for work in rural high schools.

The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation has selected Indiana as the first site for its national fellowship for high school teachers, intended to help overhaul teacher education and encourage teacher candidates to seek long-term careers in high-need classrooms. A nearly $10.2 million Lilly Endowment grant will support the program.

ROTC graduates commissioned

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:07:00 EST

Four Purdue University Naval ROTC graduates take their oath as part of the Tri-Service Commissioning Ceremony on Monday (Dec. 17) in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. Adm. Gary Roughead, U.S. chief of naval operations, commissioned 35 graduates during the ceremony, including 15 ensigns from the Naval ROTC, four second lieutenants from the Army ROTC and 16 second lieutenants from the Air Force ROTC. These new officers will immediately go on to train in their respective specialties in the U.S. military.

Purdue's Union Club Hotel runs holiday specials

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:17:00 EST

Purdue University's Union Club Hotel is offering room rate discounts the week after Christmas.

Deluxe rooms will rent for $69.60 per night and a room with a queen bed or two twin beds will rent for $57.60 per night. The special rates, a 40 percent discount, begin Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 2.

Trustees OK 2008 rate plan for Purdue Residences

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST

The Purdue University board of trustees on Saturday (Dec. 15) approved residence hall rates for the 2008-09 academic year.

Students living in West Lafayette university housing next fall will pay an average of 5.93 percent more than in 2007-08. The benchmark annual room rate will be $3,410, an increase of $162. Students can choose from among five meal plan options, including a new 12-meals-per-week plan, ranging from $4,018 to $4,970. Rates for Purdue Village, where residents are not required to participate in university meal plans, will increase by about 3.8 percent.

Purdue awards first scholarships through federal Homeland Security STEM program

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 13:20:00 EST

Seven Purdue graduate students will receive research scholarships through the university's Homeland Security Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Career Development program.

The scholarship winners are David Blunck of Canby, Ore., who is studying mechanical engineering; Karla Ann Combs of Rock Island, Ill., who is studying biological sciences; Laura Hughes of Buford, Ga., who is studying biological sciences; Samuel Liles of Porter, Ind., who is studying technology; Ross Maciejewski of Owensville, Mo., who is studying electrical and computer engineering; Shawn McKay of Mesa, Ariz., who is studying mechanical engineering; and Bryan Sims of Martinsville, Ind., who is studying nuclear engineering.

Accident kills 1 on Purdue hockey team, 7 other players injured

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 21:44:00 EST

A freshman member of the Purdue University Ice Hockey Club team died and seven of his teammates were injured Saturday afternoon (Dec. 1) when the van in which they were riding rolled over after sliding on ice-slickened Ind. 25, five miles north of Wingate, Ind.

The accident occurred at about 3:45 p.m. as the 20 team members, two coaches and a manager were traveling to the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Ill., for a scheduled 5 p.m. game against Holy Cross College of South Bend, Ind.

Purdue Student Union Board sponsors 'Holidays at the Union'

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

Purdue will usher in the holiday season beginning at noon Monday (Dec. 3) when the freshly cut tree arrives at the Purdue Memorial Union Great Hall.

"Bringing the tree into the Union is a fun event that helps put the entire campus into the holiday spirit," said Margie Stoltz, program manager at Purdue Memorial Union. "Holidays at the Union is a great way for Purdue and the local community to come together."

Funding available to send Purdue graduate students abroad

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:32:00 EST

Purdue University graduate students majoring in technical areas will have a special opportunity to study abroad this summer.

The East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is offering an opportunity for Purdue graduate students to study abroad in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore or Taiwan and to work with foreign researchers for eight weeks during the summer.

Sirens to sound as Purdue evaluates vendor's warning system

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:43:00 EST

An outdoor warning siren system will be tested around 3:30 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 29) from the Purdue University Police Department.

Purdue emergency planning representatives will be on hand to review Federal Signal's CampusAlert system, which has a warning siren and the capability to send voice messages, said Ron Wright, director of campus emergency preparedness and planning. Area public safety officials and representatives from Purdue's regional campuses also have been invited to the demonstration.

Purdue pushes recycling with new PSA

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:37:00 EST

Purdue University Residences is airing a public service announcement to nearly 12,000 on-campus residents to promote recycling.

The PSA features "Forest," the vigilante recycling hand-puppet who aggressively models recycling to busy students in the residence halls. The spot airs at least three times each day on the movie channel of University Residences' cable television service, Boiler TV.

Purdue Repertory Dance Company to perform Winter Works Concert

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:12:00 EST

The Purdue Repertory Dance Company will present its Winter Works 2007 Dance Concert on Dec. 7 and 8.

The dance company will perform nine new dances created by faculty and student choreographers. The concert is at the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in the Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts.

Historically Black Institution Visitation Program under way

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST

Some 40 to 50 students and two nationally known speakers are visiting Purdue University for a program aimed at minority students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies.

The 19th Historically Black Institution Visitation Program takes place today (Wednesday, Nov. 14) through Friday (Nov. 16) on campus. Undergraduates from 11 historically black U.S. institutions, along with the University of Puerto Rico, will meet with Purdue faculty, administrators and graduate students, and tour campus facilities to consider the university as a choice for their graduate studies.

Purdue's Windsor Dining Court celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:47:00 EST

Purdue University's Housing and Food Services will celebrate Native American Heritage Month from 5-7 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 15) with its final 2007 presentation of "Cultural Nights @ Windsor: Cultural Journeys though Food, Music and Crafts."

In addition to traditional Thanksgiving fare that will be offered at every Purdue dining facility that night, Windsor Dining Court will offer authentic Native American recipes food from the New England tribes. Free food samples will be offered in the foyer, and diners will be greeted with Native American music, videos, crafts and cultural information.

Purdue Housing and Food Services wins national diversity award

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

Purdue University's Housing and Food Services has received a national award for its efforts to improve cultural awareness and diversity in its work force.

The National Association of College Auxiliary Services awarded the university the 2007 Golden Award for the Promoting Unity through Diversity program that includes diversity training for all new employees. It also includes Spanish-language training for supervisors and support staff and a multicultural Web site that includes a calendar of all HFS and university events addressing diversity issues.

International Education Week to include variety of activities

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:59:00 EST

Purdue University will celebrate International Education Week this week (Nov. 12-16) with a variety of activities on campus and outreach efforts at local schools.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education designed to promote programs to help Americans learn more about other nations and cultures, encourage international education in local schools, and emphasize good global citizenship.

Purdue international enrollment ranks among highest in the nation

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:02:00 EST

A report released Monday (Nov. 12) by the Institute of International Education ranked Purdue University second in the nation among U.S. public institutions in international student enrollment for the 2006-07 academic year.

Purdue had 4,824 international students from 123 countries enrolled in 2006-07, only seven fewer than the previous year, said Michael Brzezinski, director of Purdue's Office of International Students and Scholars. Among all public and private universities, the University of Southern California enrolled the largest number of international students at 7,115. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked first among U.S. public institutions.

Black Cultural Center presents arts festival focusing on the blues

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 10:50:00 EST

Four performing arts ensembles from Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will dramatize what they learned during a semester-long study of blues during the Nov. 30 Cultural Arts Festival.

Dancing at the Crossroads (wit' a black cat bone) will be performed at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. Admission is $7 for the general public and $5 for students.

Purdue band fundraising efforts surpass halfway point

Fri, 2 Nov 2007 10:46:00 EDT

The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band has surpassed the halfway point in its goal of raising $100,000 for a spring trip to China.

Donations totaling $53,400 have been collected so far to help finance the band's trip to Beijing to perform in the Meet in Beijing International Arts and Music Festival in late May. The event is a leadup to the 2008 Olympics there.

Purdue gives students online nutrition information tools

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:39:00 EDT

Purdue University Residences has launched an online service that allows students to calculate their exact nutritional intake from meals eaten at five university dining courts.

The NetNutrition Web site allows diners to click on menu items they consumed and in what quantity. Once entered, they receive instantaneous nutritional feedback, including the amount of consumed calories, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol and protein. The software also calculates what percentage of the recommended daily allowance of each nutrient has been consumed.

Purdue 'All-American' Marching Band to begin drive for China trip

Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:01:00 EDT

Purdue University on Saturday (Oct. 6) announced that its "All-American" Marching Band is heading to China this spring, and alumni are stepping up to help.

The "All-American" Marching Band has been invited by the China Performing Arts Agency, a division of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, to perform in the Meet in Beijing International Arts and Music Festival. The event will be in late May prior to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Purdue awarded $500,000 for student scholarships in homeland security research, studies

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 15:54:00 EDT

Purdue University this fall will award scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students exploring research and career opportunities in homeland security, thanks to a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Homeland Security Institute and the Regional Visualization and Analytics Center in the university's Discovery Park are leading the initiative in conjunction with Purdue's Homeland Security Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics Career Development Program.

Science Bound takes another leap forward

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:36:00 EDT

Purdue University, which recently welcomed the first class of 27 Science Bound students with full-tuition scholarships, has announced that number could double next fall.

Interim Provost Victor L. Lechtenberg and Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White on Sept. 24 joined Science Bound supporters in celebrating the program's continued success. The event was at the Crowne Plaza at Union Station, 123 W. Louisiana St., Indianapolis. Approximately 500 students, parents, mentors and corporate partners were in attendance, including the senior class of 60 Purdue hopefuls.

Purdue announces Miller Scholars

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:20:00 EDT

The Purdue University Department of Biological Sciences has selected the 2007-08 Dr. Eric Dwayne Miller Scholars.

Juniors Katelyn Nelligan and Kelly Moore will receive $2,000 from the renewable merit-based scholarship fund.

Purdue helps teacher add science to students' iPod playlists

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:19:00 EDT

Students may add iPods to their school supplies list this year to take advantage of educational podcasts available through iTunes.

Matt Carlson, a science teacher in West Lafayette, Ind., produced 30 podcast episodes, digital video files distributed on the Internet that can be played on portable media devices and personal computers. The videos are available free of charge at http://www.ScienceTheater.net and on iTunes, and each lasts about five minutes.

Purdue fraternities sanctioned for previous violations

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:03:00 EDT

Purdue officials, in conjunction with international fraternity offices, on Monday (Aug. 27) announced joint punitive measures for five fraternities that previously were temporarily suspended for violating the university's policies on alcohol and social functions at chapter houses.

The Office of the Dean of Students and the Interfraternity Council removed the chapters from temporary suspension but submitted a list of requirements they must fulfill, said Kyle Pendleton, Purdue's assistant dean of students. The five fraternities had been placed on temporary suspension pending the outcome of official assessments by the fraternities' international offices and Purdue.

Comedian, former Boilermaker Jim Gaffigan to perform at Purdue

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:05:00 EDT

Tickets are still available for stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 in Purdue University's Elliott Hall of Music.

Purdue's Student Concert Committee is presenting the performance.

Gaffigan, an Indiana native, was born and raised in Dune Acres, a suburb of Chesterton, Ind., and attended Purdue during his freshman year.

Deadline approaches to sign up for Gus Macker basketball tournament; donor offers challenge match

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:39:00 EDT

A Purdue University student group, Lafayette Rotary and Habitat for Humanity are calling for students and community members to sign up for the Sept. 22-23 Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament.

Meanwhile, an area supporter has challenged the community to match up to $5,000 to help sponsor the tournament.

Purdue's Camp Calcium concludes for year

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:06:00 EDT

Middle school-aged girls experienced campus life this summer while taking part in Purdue University's Camp Calcium, a research effort that studies how calcium and other nutrients affect the body. This year's camp, which concluded on Aug. 1, focused on measuring the effects of vitamin D on calcium absorption. Results from previous camps have been used in part to form the dairy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid. The girls participated in swimming and other sports, arts and crafts, classes taught by university staff, and field trips to nearby locations.

Purdue receives national award for retention excellence

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:04:00 EDT

Purdue University has received a national award for its retention programming.

The Lee Noel-Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Award was presented Thursday (July 12) at the national conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing and Retention in Orlando, Fla. The award, established by the Noel-Levitz enrollment management consulting firm, recognizes the most successful, state-of-the art retention programs at colleges and universities in North America.

'Push-button' climate modeling now available

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 14:46:00 EDT

A tool used by scientists to create climate models is about to become easier to use and available to a much wider audience.

A new Web-enhanced version of the most commonly used climate modeling system will allow many more scientists - and even curious students - to test theories about the planet's climate.

Matt Huber, an assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at Purdue University, says the Community Climate System Model is already used by thousands of scientists, and the results from their models often make headlines around the world.

Purdue dining service student employees promoted, honored

Tue, 15 May 2007 12:53:00 EDT

Several Purdue University Residences student employees have been promoted to supervisory roles or named employee of the month.

Kris Baccinno, Demotte, Ind.; Matt Heida, Mentor, Ohio; and Sean Valencourt, Goshen, Ind., each now supervise teams of 10-15 fellow student employees who set up, serve and clean up at the Athletic Dining Room. Mike Torbitt, Demotte, Ind., was voted Student Employee of the Month at the Athletic Dining Room and Mike Janke, St. Charles, Ill., gained the same honor at Cary Knight Spot Grill.

Beijing to serve as meeting place for Boilermakers

Tue, 8 May 2007 15:16:00 EDT

Nearly 100 Purdue students, faculty and staff will visit Beijing, China, this month, thanks to the university's study abroad and faculty development programs.

Twelve members of Purdue faculty and staff will travel there as part of the Faculty Development in China program. This program makes it possible for faculty and staff to visit several cities in China for two weeks to develop new opportunities for research, international student recruitment, study abroad programs and the exchange of students and faculty members.

Commissioning ceremony to include senior ROTC students

Thu, 3 May 2007 13:19:00 EDT

Approximately 50 graduating seniors will be commissioned into the U.S. military during an annual ceremony at 11 a.m. May 11 in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom.

The graduating seniors from Purdue's Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs will be commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns. Maj. Gen. Richard B. Moorhead, commanding general of the 38th Infantry Division of the Indiana Army National Guard, will commission the students.

Purdue graduates to take part in commencement ceremonies

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:13:00 EDT

Purdue University will award degrees at five campuses and seven College of Technology locations throughout Indiana during commencement ceremonies.

Commencement at the West Lafayette campus is scheduled for May 11-13 at Elliott Hall of Music. An estimated 5,677 degrees will be presented in four ceremonies that weekend, including 4,295 undergraduate degrees, 223 professional degrees, 803 master's degrees and 356 doctoral degrees.

Lehmann victorious at 50th Grand Prix; first female to win race

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:53:00 EDT

Liz Lehmann, a junior from Fort Wayne, made history Saturday (April 21) at the 50th annual Purdue University Grand Prix by becoming the first female to win the race

"It's more surreal than anything," the management major said of her win. "When I made a pit stop at lap three, I noticed I was in the top five. The next time I looked at the board, which I try not to do because it makes me lose my focus, I noticed that kart 7 (Lehmann's kart) was in the lead. I couldn't believe it."

It was the third year that Lehmann has competed in the 160-lap, 50-mile Grand Prix race, which takes place at the university's kart track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. Last year she finished fourth.

Purdue dining services reduces bad fat, provides students nutrition information

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:25:00 EDT

Building on its decision to reduce trans fats in its food preparation almost two years ago, Purdue University Residences now is giving its diners more tools to maintain healthy eating habits.

University Residences has been sponsoring nutrition education games in its dining courts and creating an interactive nutrition education Web site. Educational displays have been posted in dining courts informing students about the university's switch to trans-fat-free oils for food preparation.

Two professors to be named winners of 2007 Violet Haas Award

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:55:00 EDT

Two Purdue professors will be awarded the 2007 Violet Haas Award at a ceremony on April 26.

Klod Kokini, a professor of mechanical engineering and associate dean of engineering for academic affairs, and Sally Thompson, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, will be honored at a reception at 4 p.m. April 26 in the lobby of the Lawson Computer Science Building.

Purdue Super Jazz Jam to explore many eras, styles of jazz

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:11:00 EDT

Purdue's Super Jazz Jam concert on March 30 will feature four bands and pieces by artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Pat Metheny and Thelonious Monk.

The Purdue Jazz Band, Lab Jazz Band, Concert Jazz Band and American Music Repertory Ensemble will cover multiple eras and styles of jazz in the annual concert, which will take place at 8 p.m. in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. It is free and open to the public.

Purdue International Festival to begin March 25

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:37:00 EDT

A variety of activities and events celebrating the many cultures represented on campus will take place March 25 to April 14 during the Purdue International Festival.

The festival, formerly known as International Awareness Week, will give Purdue students, faculty and staff and the community a chance to explore the many cultures that are represented by the nearly 5,000 international students and 700 visiting scholars from 127 countries who work or study at Purdue.

International Festival speaker to discuss life in India

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:51:00 EDT

A visiting professor from India will speak at a series of events as part of the upcoming Purdue International Festival.

Sarada Sreedeviamma will speak at three events on Monday (March 26). She is an associate professor at the Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala, India. A clinical psychologist, she lectures widely and has served as a United Nations resource person for the sub-regional consultation on trafficking of women and children in South Asia.

Purdue initiates review of procedures, will expand signage for utility facilities

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:22:00 EDT

Purdue University on Wednesday (March 21) announced it has initiated an independent review to determine what occurred leading to the accidental electrocution of freshman Wade Steffey in an Owen Hall utility room.

As part of the review, Purdue is looking for people with technical capabilities to perform such an analysis.

Saints' quarterback praises Purdue students helping Katrina victims

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:56:00 EDT

NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is thanking more than 50 students from Purdue University residence halls who are spending their spring break helping to rebuild homes damaged by hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding in 2005.

"The devastation of Hurricane Katrina was so vast," Brees wrote to the student volunteers. "You can never fully appreciate it until you see it in person, and then you realize what the people in this region have been through and the work that is still left to be done."

Sophomore wins Miss Purdue Scholarship Pageant title

Wed, 7 Mar 2007 13:46:00 EST

Kelli Hoffman, 22, a Purdue University sophomore in the College of Agriculture, on Saturday (March 3) was named the winner of the Miss Purdue Scholarship Pageant.

Hoffman of Columbia City, Ind., won more than $6,000 in scholarship money and gifts from local businesses. She also will go on to compete in June's Miss Indiana Pageant in Zionsville, Ind., where thousands of dollars in scholarship will be available, as well as a trip to the Miss America pageant.