Purdue News

April 5, 2002 Alumni celebrate Gala Week at Purdue University WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Alumni will return to Purdue University for reunions, entertainment and activities during Gala Week, April 19-21, sponsored by the Purdue Alumni Association. Registration and activities information will be available at Gala Week headquarters in the Purdue Memorial Union, Room 118. The office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20. For registration and ticket information, call (800) 414-1541 or (765) 494-5178. A complete listing of events also is posted online at the Alumni Gala Week site. Gala Week highlights include the dedication of a class project by the reunion class of 1952 at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, in the Agricultural Mall. The project includes a sculpture entitled "Transformation" and an Academic Success Awards scholarship. Following the dedication, the annual class parade to John Purdue's grave will step off at 10:45 a.m. from the area between the Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center. The parade is traditionally led by the oldest attending graduate. The parade features the "Gold and Black" Band, Purdue Pete and the Boilermaker Special. Other Saturday events include the 128th Founders Day Reception and Banquet. An hourlong reception will start at 4:45 p.m. in the main lounges of the Purdue Memorial Union. The banquet will follow at 6 p.m. in the union's North and South ballrooms. It will feature comments by Purdue President Martin C. Jischke, entertainment by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and special alumni awards. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance online or in Room 160 of the union. A big-band song and dance program with the Purdue Jazz Band will take place after the banquet. Many schools have scheduled activities for alumni between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20. A variety of class reunions and coffee hours have been scheduled for Sunday, April 21. A "Loyalty Brunch," in which Jischke will present certificates to members of reunion classes also will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom. Tickets, which are $14, must be purchased in advance online or in Room 160 of the union. Marty Burns, director of reunions for the Purdue Alumni Association, says Gala Week should offer something of interest for every visiting alumnus. "Gala Week is a longstanding tradition of the Purdue Alumni Association, " Burns says. "It's a wonderful time for alumni to reconnect with their classmates and their school. It's always heartwarming to see old friends meet in the hallway of the Memorial Union and reminisce about classes and parties. We look forward to hosting our alumni on this special weekend every year." Other Gala Week activities are: Friday, April 19 • Purdue Bands Twilight Concert Series – Jazz on the Hill., 5 p.m. Slayter Center of Performing Arts. The concert features the Purdue Alumni Jazz Band along with the Purdue Jazz, Lab and Concert bands. The concert is free. Contact: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785. • Purdue Libraries Exhibit, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stewart Center, Room 279. The exhibit features special collections. Contact: Katherine Markee, librarian, (765) 494-2904. Saturday, April 20 • 44th annual Purdue Grand Prix go-kart race at the track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. The track opens at 10 a.m. The first qualifying sprint begins at 11:30 a.m. The alumni race will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the 50-mile feature race starts at approximately 3 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the gate. • Jahari Dance Troupe Spring Revue, 7 p.m. Loeb Playhouse. Admission is $5 for students, $7 for the general public. Tickets will be sold at the door. Contact: Renee Thomas, Black Cultural Center director, (765) 494-3091. • Purdue University Bands Showcase, 8 p.m. Elliott Hall of Music. Varsity, Collegiate and University concert bands will be featured in a free concert. Contact: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785. • ROTC Hall of Fame Induction, 10 a.m., Purdue Armory. Ten graduates of the Purdue Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs will be inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. Pictures of each inductee will be hung in the armory. Contact: David Tate, nominating committee chairman, (765) 494-1392, dgtate@purdue.edu. Sunday, April 22 • Purdue University Bands Showcase, 2:30 p.m. Elliott Hall of Music. Performances feature the Purdue Symphony Orchestra, Purdue Symphonic Band and Alumni Concert Band. The showcase is free. Contact Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785. In addition, the Robert L. Ringel Gallery exhibit "Laszlo Matulay: Images for Words" will be open throughout the weekend. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21. The free exhibit is sponsored by Alfred and Isobel Bader in celebration of the 90th birthday of Dr. Herbert C. Brown, professor emeritus and Nobel Prize laureate. Contact: Mary Ann Anderson, Galleries administrative assistant, (765) 496-7899. Purdue Theatre also will present "Our Town" throughout the weekend. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Experimental Theatre, Stewart Center. Tickets $11 and $13 for the general public, $7 and $9 for students and seniors. Call (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. CONTACT: Cathy Cobb, Purdue Alumni Association event organizer, (765) 494-5178, ccobb@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page