Trudy Guthrie to Retire

Trudy Guthrie, Director of External Relations, is set to retire in December after an incredible 22-year career with the Purdue University family, 7 of which were spent with Purdue Bands & Orchestras. Throughout Trudy’s career, she has held positions in areas spanning from the Botany & Plant Pathology Business Office and College of Engineering Development Office to Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue for Life Foundation. There, she pursued a greater focus on annual giving, stewardship, and donor relations – eventually leading her to become Assistant Director of Development for Purdue Bands & Orchestras. 

In that role, Trudy developed long-standing relationships with our alumni and donors culminating in the opening of Marc and Sharon Hagle Hall – of which she played an integral part. Having assumed the role of Director of External Relations in 2023, Trudy used her Hospitality and Tourism Management degree to continue telling the story of Purdue Bands & Orchestras through various special events and reunions, namely our largest All-American Alumni Marching Band to date – with 900+ former band members in attendance and 1,000+ on the field. Her passion for people – the students of today and yesterday – can be felt in her sweet spirit and steadfast dedication.

Proud to be in the middle of a three generation Purdue family (her father played trombone in the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and three of her children also graduated from Purdue), Trudy is a Boilermaker through and through. We will miss her tremendously as she transitions into retired life enjoying her new home in Crawfordsville with husband, Todd, and spending more time with her children and grandchildren. We are Ever Grateful for all Trudy has done in service of Purdue Bands & Orchestras and wish her all the best.

If you would like to send a note of congratulations to Trudy, please email trudyg@purdue.edu.