Purdue News

April 6, 2004

Gala Week 2004 combines old and new traditions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Department of Aviation Technology and the Class of 1954 will celebrate 50th anniversaries during the Purdue Alumni Association's annual Gala Week, being held in conjunction with Spring Fest the weekend of April 16-18.

Registration and activities information will be available for most events at Gala Week headquarters in the Great Hall of Purdue Memorial Union. The office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17. For registration and ticket information, call (800) 414-1541 or (765) 494-5178. A complete listing of events also is available online at the Alumni Gala Week Web site.

Friday festivities include a Purdue Forever reception at 4 p.m. for attending alumni graduating more than 50 years ago (1953 and earlier classes). After the reception, there will be dinner and Purdue Musical Organizations entertainment at La Posada in the Purdue Memorial Union. Reservations are required and tickets are $30 per person,

The Class of 1954 50th reunion dinner will start Friday with a social at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. in the South Ballroom of Purdue Memorial Union. Reservations are required and tickets are $45 per person.

The Department of Aviation Technology's 50th anniversary celebration starts Friday and includes a technology distinguished alumni awards dinner, tours of the aviation technology program facilities, guest speakers and a book signing by Purdue historian and author John Norberg, whose latest book "Wings of Their Dreams" was recently published by Purdue Press. Most events take place in Purdue Airport, Hangar Six. For information contact Heather Wilkerson at (765) 494-7967, alumni@tech.purdue.edu.

Various schools and departments, including consumer and family sciences, education, liberal arts and science, also will hold alumni awards receptions and dinners on Friday.

The highlight of Saturday's events will be a new twist for the 130th Founders Day reception and dinner. Instead of a more formal banquet, alumni, families and friends are invited to don their black and gold football attire for a Purdue tailgate honoring the reunion classes attending.

The reception begins at 5 p.m. in the Shively Stadium Club at the Ross-Ade Pavilion. At 5:30 p.m., the Purdue Varsity Glee Club will provide entertainment. The football tailgate-style dinner begins at 6 p.m. with remarks by Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. An association business report and the PAA Citizenship Award will be presented. Tickets are $40, and reservations are required.

Saturday at 9 a.m. the School of Agriculture and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources will rededicate the 100-year-old David C. Pfendler Hall, the second oldest building on campus. Pfendler Hall was formerly known as Agricultural Hall and Entomology Hall. Contact Lucy Whitehead at (765) 494-9990, whitehead@purdue.edu.

Sunday events begin with the traditional class parade with Purdue Pete and the Boilermaker Special. Reunion classes will assemble at 9 a.m. between Stewart Center and Purdue Memorial Union. The parade to John Purdue's grave begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by a memorial service starting at 9:30 a.m. Immediately following the parade, the Class of 1954 will be inducted into the Forever Class at the Loyalty Brunch in the North Ballroom of Purdue Memorial Union. The classes of 1949, 1944, 1939, 1934 and 1929 also will be recognized and presented with loyalty certificates.

Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu

Source: Marty Burns, (765) 494-5181, mjburns@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Media are welcome at all Gala Week events. A complete schedule and contact information is available online.

Purdue unites fun, family and agriculture at Spring Fest

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