purduEBoard: Libraries

Heroes' Tree at Hicks Undergraduate Library

Elaine Bahler — Wed, 11 Nov 2009

Hicks Undergraduate Library is one of the more than 70 Indiana libraries honoring veterans and members of U.S. armed forces by participating in the Veterans Day Our Heroes' Tree program.

The Veterans Day Our Heroes' Tree program, sponsored by the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue, is a way to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by current service members, veterans and deceased service members.

Hicks staff have created a tree display and are inviting community members to create personalized ornaments to honor a soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, military veteran or fallen service member in their lives. Each ornament will be hung on the Our Heroes' Tree at Hicks, which will be on display through Dec. 31.

These ornaments also are shared online at the Virtual Heroes' Tree. More information is available at www.mfri.purdue.edu.

Archives announce online exhibit of John Purdue

Elaine Bahler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009

An exhibit showcasing Purdue founder John Purdue is now available online.

"Portrait of a Founder: John Purdue and Purdue University" can be viewed at www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/johnpurdue/. Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections hosted the physical exhibit this past spring in the new Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center.

John Purdue was born on Oct. 31, circa 1802. Purdue University was founded in 1869, making 2009 the 140th anniversary of that historic occasion.

The exhibit covers various themes, including John Purdue's early life, business activities, his time as a farmer, the founding of Purdue University, and his death and funeral. Fitting with his Halloween birthday, one of the spookier items in the collection is John Purdue's death mask, a plaster cast of Purdue's face, which was common practice in many cultures.