Today’s top 5 from Purdue University

Spring campus scenes. Hovde

You will want to read these good stories that you may have missed.

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Only university ranked, Purdue recognized for strides in building the semiconductor workforce and research of the future

Purdue University, for the first time, has been named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. The only university among Fast Company magazine’s prestigious Top 50 Most Innovative Companies, No. 16 Purdue follows OpenAI (at No. 1, developer of ChatGPT and Dall-E) and leads NASA (No. 17) and The Walt Disney Company (No. 25) as organizations “paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow” and “setting the standard with some of the greatest accomplishments of the modern world.” Overall, the list acknowledges 540 organizations across 54 categories and regions around the world.

Mediacontact: Christy McCarter, mccarter@purdue.edu

“This Is Purdue” Podcast: Heather Penney

Heather Penney, a Purdue graduate and former D.C. Air National Guard fighter pilot, shares her incredible story from 9/11, when she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice with her flight lead, Marc Sasseville. Penney reflects on the events of that historic day, from being selected to complete the mission to stop the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 to being grounded after hours of time in the air to how she feels about that day now.

Media contact: Kate Young, taylor58@purdue.edu

New assay accelerates E. coli testing process

A team led by Purdue University’s Bruce Applegate has developed a new time-saving assay to detect an especially severe strain of E. coli in ground beef. The new assay has promising implications for nations in Africa, South America and elsewhere that have fewer resources than the U.S. to invest in food safety.

Media contact: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu

Helping construction material manufactures reduce the energy consumption, carbon footprint of heating and cooling homes

Purdue researchers have developed a method that turns bricks, concrete panels and drywall into materials that store thermal energy, reducing energy consumption of heating and cooling buildings.

Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Purdue Global celebrates nearly 1,000 graduates in Anaheim commencement ceremonies

Family and friends celebrated Purdue Global’s Winter 2023 Commencement on Saturday (Feb. 25) at the City National Grove of Anaheim in California. Nearly 1,000 candidates received their degrees during two in-person ceremonies and one virtual ceremony.

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

More Purdue News

Rough seas near South Pacific island Nikumaroro viewed from aboard a vessel supporting the expedition.

Earhart expedition update: Weather prevents shore work for third straight day; crew to extend trip

October 16, 2026

The Marin Mainiku sits offshore near Nikumaroro beneath storm clouds and in rough seas.

Earhart expedition update: Weather prevents shore work Thursday; ID update expected in next 48 hours

October 15, 2026

A diver surveys shallow lagoon waters while a small support boat operates nearby.

Earhart expedition update: Underwater survey of Taraia Object begins

October 14, 2026

Two expedition members stand along the shore of Nikumaroro’s lagoon overlooking turquoise water.

Earhart expedition update: Crew arrives onshore, sets up operations on Nikumaroro

October 13, 2026