Ralph and Bettye Bailey with the members of the Purduettes.

Purdue had many successes to celebrate in fiscal year 2007-2008. The University’s 11th president, France A. Córdova was inaugurated in Elliott Hall of Music. The event drew more than 100 delegates from institutions all over the country, allowing Purdue the opportunity to showcase its strengths to a prestigious academic audience.

In June, Córdova’s Strategic Plan for 2008-2014 — the main goals of which are Discovery with Delivery, Meeting Global Challenges, and Launching Tomorrow’s Leaders — was approved by the Board of Trustees.

The year yielded some sizeable gifts — many of them from familiar names. Regenstrief Foundation gave $11 million for the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering. The Lilly Endowment provided a $9 million gift for a military family project. Ralph and Bettye Bailey gave a generous $4 million gift to Purdue Musical Organizations, and Mike and Kay Birck led all donors for the Mackey Complex renovation with a $5 million gift.