2025 Special Boilermaker Award recipients announced

The Purdue Alumni Association has named Jay Gephart and Christa Pazera (BS education ’94, MS education ’96) as recipients of the 2025 Special Boilermaker Award for their dedication to Purdue.

Established in 1981, the award honors members of the Purdue faculty or staff who have contributed significantly to the improvement of the quality of life or the betterment of the educational experience for a substantial number of Purdue students.

Ryan Kay, chair of the Purdue Alumni Association, presented the awardees with pewter locomotive sculptures on the field at Ross-Ade Stadium during Purdue’s home game against Illinois Oct. 4.

Gephart is the Dr. Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands & Orchestras and past director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band. According to his nominators, “Jay has shown immense dedication as the chair of a comprehensive instrumental music department supporting more than 1,300 students each semester, as well as training, hiring and managing a department of 18 faculty and staff. Jay has also been responsible for major gift fundraising for our department, which has included funding for new facilities.”

Pazera is the senior director of residential life for University Residences. Her nominators wrote, “One of Christa’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to genuinely connect with students and staff, recognizing their potential and actively working to help them succeed. She takes the time to listen, provide guidance and create opportunities for growth. Her advocacy extends beyond policy and procedure — she invests in the personal and professional development of those around her.”

The Purdue Alumni Association accepts nominations for the Special Boilermaker Award from May 1 to July 1. Nominations may be made by any person or group affiliated with Purdue — students, faculty, staff or alumni. The names of recipients are inscribed on the recognition obelisk on Purdue Mall and on a plaque in the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center.

For more information about the award, check out the award website or contact Joel Hartman, senior director of volunteerism and campus engagement with the Purdue for Life Foundation, at jbhartman@purdueforlife.org.