A Legacy of Giving – Rooted in Service: Russ and Nancy Bond’s Enduring Impact on Purdue HTM

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — On a spring evening defined by elegance and tradition, the Purdue White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management community gathered for its annual Black Tie Dinner on March 28.

In a moment that captured both the spirit of the night and the future of the school, Russ and Nancy Bond, newly named 2026 HTM Hall of Fame inductees, announced their latest gift: the creation of an endowment to support student professional development.

It was not a surprise. It was a continuation.

Because for Russ and Nancy Bond, giving back to Purdue has never been a single act. It has been a way of life.

Built at Purdue, Carried Everywhere

The Bonds’ story begins in 1982, when both graduated from Purdue’s Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHI) program. Their time on campus was defined by involvement, leadership, and a deep sense of belonging.

Russ immersed himself in student leadership and academic organizations, earning recognition in multiple honor societies. Nancy contributed to one of Purdue’s most beloved traditions through Grand Prix. Together, they found not only their professional foundation – but each other.

Married just one year later, they set out on a journey shaped by opportunity, adaptability, and a shared commitment to hospitality.

Russ’s career would span decades with a single company as it evolved from Stouffer to Renaissance to Marriott. His leadership took them across the country – from Houston and Scottsdale to Westchester, San Francisco, Baltimore, St. Petersburg, and Tucson. In every city, he did more than lead hotels, he helped strengthen communities, contributing to tourism development efforts and supporting the local economies that depend on hospitality.

Nancy built her own path in service, working in food service and healthcare settings with a focus on care, comfort, and connection. Her lifelong commitment to giving began early, including leadership roles with Indiana’s Sunshine Society, and has continued through decades of volunteerism.

Wherever life took them, one thing remained constant: their connection to Purdue.

A Legacy of Giving: Quiet, Consistent, Transformational

The Bonds began supporting Purdue in the late 1980s, long before philanthropy became a defining part of their story. Through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, they remained engaged – stepping forward to support Marriott Hall and the evolving needs of the HTM program.

Their generosity helped shape the very spaces where students now collaborate, learn, and discover their paths.

In 2012, they made a defining commitment: the creation of the Russ & Nancy Bond Hospitality Scholarship Endowment. Focused on supporting in-state students, the scholarship has since impacted more than 14 Boilermakers, removing financial barriers and opening doors to experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

For those students, the Bonds are more than donors. They are heroes of possibility.

And yet, their giving has always been understated – never about recognition, always about impact.

Investing in What Comes Next

Their most recent gift, announced at Black Tie Dinner, reflects a forward-looking vision grounded in their own experience.

By establishing an endowment for student professional development, the Bonds are investing in the moments that shape careers: internships, industry travel, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning. These are the experiences that transform students into leaders – the same kinds of opportunities that helped define their own journeys decades ago.

It is a gift that aligns seamlessly with Purdue’s Day of Giving and the Victories & Heroes campaign, an initiative that celebrates the individuals whose generosity and leadership create lasting impact.

Russ and Nancy Bond are, in every sense, both.

A Life of Purpose, Still in Motion

Today, the Bonds call Sonoma, California home, a place they long envisioned as their eventual destination. But even in this chapter, their work continues.

Russ shares his expertise with Troon Golf, stepping into interim leadership roles across the country. Nancy brings her warmth and hospitality to Landmark Winery, welcoming guests in the heart of wine country.

They remain deeply connected to Purdue as Lifetime Members of the Purdue Alumni Association and Pinnacle members of the President’s Council, continuing to engage, support, and champion the next generation.

The True Meaning of a Boilermaker

Russ and Nancy Bond’s induction into the 2026 Purdue HTM Hall of Fame is a celebration of more than professional success. It is a recognition of lives lived with intention – of leadership grounded in service, and generosity driven by gratitude.

Their story is one of partnership. Of purpose. Of quietly changing lives.

And on this Day of Giving, it serves as a powerful reminder: the greatest victories are not measured in milestones alone, but in the people and possibilities we help create along the way.

Because of the Bonds, Purdue HTM students don’t just dream bigger; they go further.