Bringing Our Best

Union Gateway

Stories and words of appreciation

The Purdue community, in its focus on safety and health, is displaying its commitment to a persistent pursuit of what best positions people to thrive. Here are "Thumbs Up" submissions and stories about such care in action by Purdue faculty, staff and students to help the campus, community and beyond during the coronavirus pandemic.

Submit a Thumbs Up or send a story idea to PurdueToday@purdue.edu.

Winter commencementPhoto gallery: Winter 2022 Commencement

Years of persistence and thousands of small steps together culminated for nearly 3,000 Boilermakers at Purdue’s three Winter 2022 Commencement ceremonies Dec. 17-18 in Elliott Hall of Music.


Dr. Alberto OsegueraBowl-bound Boilers stay healthy thanks to HHS alumnus

Dr. Alberto Oseguera will add “Bowling” to his sports medicine resume on Jan. 2. Oseguera, a 2013 Department of Health and Kinesiology alumnus, joined Boilermaker football as the team doctor in October, and he will travel with the program when it faces LSU at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.


Jazmine CliftonMeet Jazmine Clifton, new director of Purdue Promise

Jazmine Clifton was in the seventh grade when she became involved in AVID, an in-school academic support program that prepares students for college eligibility and success. Those early experiences became the foundation upon which Clifton’s passion for working with first-generation and low-income students began.


All-American Marching Band memberMemorable moments of 2022

As the year draws to a close, Purdue photographers and videographers from across campus share some of their most memorable work from 2022.


What can you imagine at Purdue?Video: What can you imagine at Purdue?

Purdue’s newest video celebrates the dedicated and innovative spirit of our students everywhere — whether forging their path at Purdue Polytechnic High School, persistently pursuing a lifelong goal with Purdue Global, achieving a world-renowned Boilermaker education on campus or earning an advanced Purdue degree with Purdue Online.


Mitch DanielsMitch Daniels: A decade of excellence

The accomplishments of outgoing Purdue President Mitch Daniels, in what forever will be known as the Daniels Decade in the university’s storied history, have touched thousands of Purdue students, faculty and staff and transformed the entire landscape of higher education. This special gallery chronicles the legacy that the Daniels presidency leaves for Boilermakers everywhere.


Purdue University Dance Marathon Step Inside: Purdue University Dance Marathon

In a new episode of “Step Inside,” meet three members of the Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM) and see what it takes to raise more than $10 million for the children and families of Riley Hospital for Children.


Mitch DanielsLooking back: Daniels Decade made headlines across state, world

Throughout his 10 years as Purdue president, Mitch Daniels has led the university through some of its most significant moments, making headlines across the state of Indiana and the world. A new video captures Daniels' legacy, from freezing tuition for 11 years, to the creation of Purdue Global and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, to establishing Purdue as one of the nation’s most innovative, accessible universities.


Mason GillisMason Gillis: This is Persistence at Purdue University

From the classroom to the basketball court, Mason Gillis has never backed down from a challenge. After battling injury at the start of his basketball career, he’s learned that all good things in life are difficult before they become easy.


Thumbs Up: Jackie Ranisate

Jackie Ranisate (Purdue Global Curriculum) was incredibly helpful and a wealth of knowledge as we created the bachelor’s degree in sustainability. She made the process so much smoother. – Celine Hall (Purdue Global General Education)


Darryl Granger‘Cradle of Humankind’ fossils may be older than previously thought

The earth doesn’t give up its secrets easily – not even in the “Cradle of Humankind” in South Africa, where a wealth of fossils relating to human evolution have been found. Now, a dating method developed by a Purdue geologist just pushed the age of some of these fossils found at the site of Sterkfontein Caves back more than a million years.


Fulbright Scholars graphicPurdue faculty named Fulbright Scholars

Studying nonlinear interfacial waves, developing solutions for clean propulsion, and analyzing the development of heritage languages in the classroom environment are some of the research projects representing five Purdue University faculty who have been named U.S. Fulbright Scholars.


Veterans sites tourVideo: Tour of Purdue's veteran-linked landmarks

Many Boilermakers have taken an exam or gone to a career fair in the Armory — but did you know the role it plays in Purdue’s rich military history? Have you ever stopped to read the dedication at the Gold and Black Cross in Purdue Memorial Union’s Great Hall? Take a tour of the rich history of the U.S. military at Purdue.


Logan Noster and Umesh PatelChance encounter reveals Purdue engineers’ remarkable connection

Cook Biotech president and Purdue alumnus Umesh Patel rarely gets to meet patients who have benefited from the SIS technology that he helped create in the 1990s as a College of Engineering graduate student. Patel never expected to meet one like fellow Boilermaker and Purdue graduate Logan Noster.


Jeff FieldsMaPSAC Excellence Award honors Fields for high initiative, leadership

After a career at Purdue that has spanned more than 40 years, Jeff Fields has learned a thing or two about what it means to be persistent, especially when it comes to the day-to-day responsibilities of farming. Fields, the senior farm manager at Purdue’s Animal Sciences Research and Education Center, was recently recognized for his efforts with the 2022 MaPSAC Excellence Award.


Thumbs Up: College of Education IT

This 'Thumbs Up' is a constant within our college, but the team needs to be highlighted at the University scale. Our IT team in the College of Education is simply the best. They treat all CoE students, staff and faculty with respect and provide a high level of support. At any time, one of the members of the team -- Bob Evans, Mike Eldridge, Matt Lundmark and Joshua Anderson -- is available to assist you on any request and always go above and beyond. Thanks for all that you do for us and our college! -- Holly Fiock


Miri NiedrauerVideo: Meet Miri Niedrauer – fighter, risk-taker, Boilermaker

If persistence were a person, it’d be Boilermaker and veteran Miri Niedrauer. Niedrauer didn’t grow up with access to any kind of education, so she made her own, leading her to a PhD in organic chemistry at Purdue and an MBA through Purdue Global.


Grounds crew near Sinninger PondPurdue Grounds receives national recognition for campus landscapes

The Purdue University Grounds Department has earned its second Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) as part of the 2021 PGMS Green Star Awards. The department was recognized for designing and maintaining three landscapes on the West Lafayette campus.


Dante CookPPHS football program centers on collaboration, camaraderie

When Dante Cook signed on as football head coach at Purdue Polytechnic High School, he was starting a brand-new team from scratch. His competitive spirit, desire to make a difference and deep care for the students made it possible for PPHS students to be a part of the football program.


Fast Company graphicPurdue only university in Fast Company magazine's inaugural list of ‘Brands That Matter’

Purdue has been named one of Fast Company’s “Brands That Matter,” a list honoring companies and organizations that give people compelling reasons to care about them, offer inspiration for others to buy in, and authentically communicate their mission and ideals, according to Fast Company editors, who judged each brand on relevancy, cultural impact, ingenuity and business impact.


Bring Our Best archive

Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-4600

© 2015-22 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Office of Strategic Communications

Trouble with this page? Disability-related accessibility issue? Please contact News Service at purduenews@purdue.edu.