Record number of students in Boiler Gold Rush will attempt to set a pair of world records; public invited to watch attempts

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A record number of students participating in Boiler Gold Rush and Boiler Gold Rush International, Purdue University’s new student orientation programs, will try to set two new world records on Wednesday (Aug. 15).

Approximately 7,200 students are expected to participate in the Boiler Gold Rush and Boiler Gold Rush International programs, an increase of about 600 students from last year.

Students in the BGR program will move in to residence halls Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 13 and 14). BGR programming will take place Aug. 13-18, with Aug. 19 used as a free day before the first day of the fall semester on Aug. 20.

“Incoming students will be able to connect immediately with a current undergraduate student leader and formulate bonds with several students in their small teams,” said Craig Johnson, interim director of orientation programs. “The opportunity to participate in a week of transition and welcome events like these is rare on college campuses across the country. We’re extremely excited to take our new students through several academic, community and social programs throughout the week and celebrate not only their arrival, but the 25th anniversary of Boiler Gold Rush.”

Those 7,200 incoming students will participate in two Guinness World Records attempts on Aug. 15 as part of a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Boiler Gold Rush program.

The general public is invited to watch the world-record attempts, weather-permitting. Spectators can enter Ross-Ade Stadium through Gates E and F and sit in Section 110. The stadium’s clear bag policy will be in use. More information on that policy and prohibited items can be found here.

The goal for the first world record attempt, scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m., is to have 7,500 students form the largest recorded human letter, currently held by the University of California, Berkeley, with 7,194 participants. After that is completed, students will participate in a Boiler Up rally that will introduce athletic traditions and then transition at about 4 p.m. into being the largest group of people to simultaneously blow train whistles, a record held by the Village of Bartlett, Illinois with 1,659 participants.

BGRi, which takes place Friday (Aug. 10) through Tuesday (Aug. 14), is designed to help new and transferring international undergraduate students adjust and acclimate to university life in the United States and help them transition into the BGR program.

Students participating in Boiler Gold Rush will experience a wide-ranging set of activities used to prepare them academically and socially for college.

A freedom of expression session returns for the third year, giving students a better understanding of policies around free speech and a person’s right to express their opinions.

Boiler Success Sessions will offer faculty- and campus-taught orientations into various aspects of college life, ranging from academic expectations, health and wellness advice and diversity and intercultural awareness. Other highlights include a Boiler Up rally that will introduce athletic traditions and a B-Involved Fair, introducing various clubs and organizations on campus.

The Boiler Gold Rush program will conclude with a send-off ceremony, which will include a performance from comedian, magician and ventriloquist Andy Gross.

Ongoing road construction around campus will affect traffic patterns in reaching check-in points for numerous residence halls and living residences. Driving instructions and check-in locations can be found here.

Media contact: Brian Peloza, bpeloza@purdue.edu, 765-496-9711  

Source: Craig Johnson, john1803@purdue.edu