Meet Purdue United Way Champion Bernie Engel

As the 2026 Purdue United Way campaign champion, Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, shares his perspective on what makes Purdue’s partnership with United Way unique and why our collective efforts matter.

In this year’s interview, Dean Engel discussed Purdue’s land-grant mission, the power of coming together, and what’s possible when we work together to build stronger futures for our community.

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Champion Bernie Engel on the United Way

When you think about the Purdue United Way campaign, what makes it unique?

What makes the Purdue United Way campaign unique is the connection between a large university and our local community. Every day, Purdue faculty, staff, students, and retirees contribute their talents to improving lives through education, research, and engagement. The United Way of Greater Lafayette campaign gives us another meaningful way to make a difference. Thousands of individuals across campus come together around a common purpose: strengthening the communities where we live and work. That collective impact is powerful.

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From your perspective, why has Purdue remained committed to partnering with United Way for so many years?

Purdue’s land-grant mission is rooted in service and improving quality of life. Partnering with United Way aligns naturally with those values. United Way helps connect resources to organizations that address some of the most important needs in our community, including education, health, housing, food security, and family support. Purdue has remained committed because we recognize that a strong university and a strong community go hand in hand.

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Some people wonder if giving to United Way spreads their gift too broadly. How do you respond to that?

I see it differently. United Way provides donors with an opportunity to support a network of organizations that work together to address complex community challenges. No single nonprofit can meet every need. By investing through United Way, donors help strengthen a coordinated system of support that reaches individuals and families at many different stages of life. It is an efficient and effective way to create community-wide impact.

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What impact have you seen, either personally or professionally, that reminds you why this campaign matters?

Throughout my career, I have seen how access to education, mentoring, healthcare, and community support can change the trajectory of a person’s life. In agriculture, we often talk about investing today for benefits that may not be fully realized for months and even years. The same is true for community investment. Programs supported by United Way help children succeed in school, assist families through difficult circumstances, and provide resources that create opportunities for long-term success. Those outcomes strengthen the entire community.

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If you could share one message with your Purdue colleagues about this year’s campaign, what would it be?

Every contribution matters! Whether your gift is large or small, joining together as a Purdue community allows us to create impact far beyond what any one of us could accomplish individually. The campaign is an opportunity to invest in our neighbors, support organizations doing important work, and demonstrate the values of service and stewardship that are central to Purdue.

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Get to Know the Champion

What’s something people at Purdue might be surprised to learn about you?

Many people know me through my role as dean, but they may not know that my professional background is in agricultural and biological engineering, with a focus on water resources and environmental stewardship. I’ve always enjoyed tackling complex problems that bring together agriculture, science, technology, and people, and that curiosity continues to guide both my academic and leadership work.

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If you weren’t doing your current job, what career do you think you’d enjoy?

I would probably still find myself in a role that combines problem solving, agriculture, science, and helping others succeed. I could easily imagine being involved in environmental consulting, watershed management, or working directly with communities to address challenges related to natural resources and sustainability. Those are areas that have fascinated me throughout my career.

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What’s your favorite Purdue tradition?

As the Dean of Agriculture, this one is obvious: the Ag Alumni Fish Fry. You don’t have to be an alumnus of our college or even have a strong connection to agriculture to enjoy the event. Hope to see you at the next one on Saturday, February 6, 2027!