Highlights of Purdue Global’s Winter 2024 Commencement

Purdue Global recently hosted three ceremonies and events for graduates and their families. Learn how grads, alumni and faculty came together for a memorable weekend.

Purdue Global celebrates the accomplishments of nearly 1,200 graduates at commencement ceremonies

Purdue Global hosted three commencement ceremonies at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas. Nearly 1,200 graduates — 679 in person and 514 virtually — participated in ceremonies. The graduates represented 49 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands and include 44 Indiana residents and 247 residents from Texas.

Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Grit, determination and hope guide Purdue Global alum

Walda Collins, a Purdue Global alumna from San Antonio, served as the keynote speaker. Collins is a chef, author, Marine Corps veteran, life coach and pastor. “Some of you wanted to give up and throw in the towel, but life threw it right back at you and said, ‘You’re too close to give up now,’” Collins said. “Some of you wanted to quit, but the warrior in you wouldn’t allow you to.”

Complete text of Collins’ speech: Commencement speaker to grads: Continue to be bold warriors, rising up to face challenges, change

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Central Indiana couple perform national anthem together at Purdue Global graduation

Deaon and Alina Smith combined their passion for music and Purdue Global by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Purdue Global’s winter commencement ceremony. The Smiths, from Indianapolis, are active in the city’s music scene. Alina received her Bachelor of Science in nursing at the Feb. 17 ceremony; Deaon is working on his Master of Science in psychology with a concentration in addiction counseling.

Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

‘Last Lecture’ speaker relishes opportunity to share experiences with grads, inspiring them to follow their own path

Like many college graduates, Tuwana Evans’ own journey was not a straight path — an emphasis of her “Last Lecture” given to those in attendance during Purdue Global’s commencement week. Graduating students nominated Evans to deliver the talk, which happened Feb. 13. Evans, originally from Gary, Indiana, and a Purdue University alum, is now a Purdue Global faculty member who lives in Arizona.

Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Confident, problem-solving Purdue Global grad blazes her own trail

When Samantha LaRue sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” for her high school graduation, she stood on the same Louisiana stage that hosted performances by her two musical idols, Patsy Cline and Elvis Presley. Fast-forward nine years, LaRue found herself on another stage singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” — this time in Irving, Texas, for Purdue Global’s Feb. 17 commencement ceremony. Not only was LaRue a national anthem singer, but she also earned her Bachelor of Science in industrial/organizational psychology.

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Four sisters celebrate graduation together

Purdue Global commencements are known for being family events. Meet Rosio Garcia, Kathy Claros, Shirley Adan and Nancy Claros — four sisters who are registered nurses from Naples, Florida, who all earned their master’s degrees. Find out more about how they completed their classes and then crossed the stage together.

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu