Purdue celebrates 150^th with ‘Giant Leaps’ forward

Hail Purdue, indeed! The University’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration—“150 Years of Giant Leaps”—is well underway and reaching new heights of acclaim with a theme inspired by our own “First Man” Neil Armstrong’s historic statement on the moon.

How fitting that 2019 will mark not only the 50th anniversary of the moon landing but also the grand finale of Ever True: The Campaign for Purdue University, the largest fundraising effort in Purdue history. Last fiscal year saw record donations of more than $451 million from 86,176 donors. Let’s keep the momentum going to reach this year’s $500 million goal in the final year of our Ever True campaign.

There’s so much to celebrate! Since our 150th anniversary launch at Homecoming, we have drawn the attention of alumni, friends, and media outlets around the country and world. The Washington Post featured the “giant leap” Jeff Brohm’s Boilermakers made with their huge upset victory over Ohio State on national TV and put the spotlight on our football program as well as the courage of Tyler Trent. The 20-year-old Purdue student fighting a rare form of bone cancer captured the hearts of the nation as he too displays what it means to be a Boilermaker.

Other highlights: Purdue’s focus on higher education at the highest proven value earned the University a No. 4 rank as “best value” school in the nation by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Ed. With our emphasis on affordability, Purdue’s unique Back a Boiler program was selected for a better government award. And the campus’s first 150th Anniversary Commemorative Bench seating area has been installed. As you’ll see in additional stories below, your investment in Purdue’s future not only looks bright, it’s coming into focus fast, as the main campus new master plan is revealed.

Thank you for the role you play in Purdue’s history and future! Visit our campaign website for more of the latest news, additional stories of impact, details on how to give, and ways to stay connected in the exciting year ahead.

Boiler Up, and Hail Purdue!

Celebrate Purdue’s sesquicentennial— “150 Years of Giant Leaps”—and leave your mark on campus! Your $25,000 contribution sponsors a stylish seating area along State Street, complete with a plaque honoring your generosity. Here’s a perfect opportunity for alumni, student organizations, corporations and local businesses, and friends of Purdue to show your Boilermaker pride!

To learn more, email Diane Klassen or call 765-494-7589.