Three Purdue turf science students and alumni—Ethan Flahaven (BS ’18), Brody Piel (BS ’25), and Otto Hoehl (Rising Senior)—are showcasing their expertise at the prestigious Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois. Flahaven, a 2018 graduate, is the north course superintendent; Piel, a 2025 graduate, is assistant superintendent for the south course; and Hoehl, a current[Read More…]
Steve Ruckman’s journey in turfgrass science began on his family farm in New Albany, Indiana, where he managed the grass between rows of Christmas trees to prevent erosion and control growth. That early experience sparked a lifelong passion, which he nurtured through high school by maintaining his school’s baseball and soccer fields. Steve pursued his[Read More…]
Dr. Cale Bigelow partnered with Citizens Energy Group to encourage Indianapolis residents to conserve water through smarter lawn care practices. The video segment aired on WISH-TV on June 19th: Citizens Energy Group promotes water conservation efforts. Dr. Bigelow advises watering lawns no more than twice a week, noting that Indiana’s 40 inches of annual rainfall[Read More…]
The 2025 Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day took place on July 8 at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center in West Lafayette, drawing professionals from across Indiana and the Midwest. In addition to the 350 attendees, there were 30 exhibitors featured in the trade show. The event began in the morning with[Read More…]
This month’s “This is Purdue” podcast features Dan Kiermaier (BS 2012/Turf Management and Science), head groundskeeper for the Chicago Cubs. In this episode, you’ll learn about his journey through Purdue’s College of Agriculture, his experience during the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, and his family’s baseball legacy, including his brother Kevin Kiermaier. You’ll also get[Read More…]