Purdue Global celebrates graduates and their accomplishments at commencement ceremonies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global recently hosted three in-person ceremonies at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus and two online ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of 2,257 graduates. Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults. Check out these commencement stories you may have missed.

Record number of Purdue Global graduates celebrate their accomplishments at October commencement

More than 10,000 guests, faculty and staff attended three in-person commencements at Elliott Hall of Music to celebrate Purdue Global’s recent graduates.

The graduates represented 26 countries and 49 states, including 390 residents from Indiana, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. There were 359 graduates affiliated with the military. Thirty-four systemwide Purdue University employees earned a Purdue Global degree or certificate via the Purdue Global education benefit.

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

Transforming communities through nutrition, education and well-being

Emily Lewis believes in the power of transformation, which touches her life every day. 

Lewis, who received her Bachelor of Science in nutrition from Purdue Global in May 2024 and is currently working on her Master of Public Health, was the keynote speaker during Purdue Global’s Oct. 5 commencement ceremonies.

She encouraged the graduates to keep transforming and reminded them to be proud of getting to commencement.

A full text of Lewis’ speech is available online.

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Going out on a high note

Meet Ickebor Lorena Martinez, Ebony Collier and Carson Sowers. The three Purdue Global graduates weren’t being acknowledged just for completing their studies. They were also setting the tone by starting the ceremonies with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

Learn more about how the alumni were selected to sing the national anthem, as well as what the experience meant to them.

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

A lifetime of unyielding dedication to emergency response drives Purdue Global graduate

Growing up in rural Johnson County, Indiana, Michael Pruitt had hobbies and interests centered around emergency response. After becoming a volunteer firefighter at age 17, he knew immediately what his career path would be.

“I was hooked from the start,” Pruitt said. “Ever since that first experience as a volunteer, I knew that’s what I wanted to do the rest of my life.”

Fast-forward nearly 40 years and Pruitt is still hooked. He recently earned his Bachelor of Science in emergency management from Purdue Global and is looking to use what he learned to strengthen his abilities in firefighting and emergency response for his community and to further his career.

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

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.