Orientation programs welcome more than 8,000 students to campus

Purdue welcomed its newest Boilermakers to the West Lafayette campus last week during Boiler Gold Rush and Boiler Gold Rush International, two orientation programs that help students navigate their new environment ahead of fall semester classes. 

More than 8,000 students participated in BGR activities Aug. 15-19, and nearly 700 students from 72 countries took part in BGRi programming Aug. 12-14.

Students were assigned to small groups of 15-20 students led by team leaders, who guided their groups through a variety of on-campus activities like opening ceremonies at Elliott Hall of Music; presentations on diversity, freedom of expression and academic success; a Purdue-themed, 300-drone show from Sky Elements; and the B-Involved Fair, where students could connect with university clubs and organizations.

New Boilermakers also experienced other unique Purdue traditions. During fountain runs with their teams, they zigzagged past – and through – five fountains in the heart of Purdue’s campus and made their way to Rush Crossing, where stepping over the tracks signified the beginning of their Purdue journeys.

More than 700 team leaders, team supervisors, staff and student orientation committee members volunteered to help make the long-standing Purdue tradition a success. 

“This is Purdue’s 30th year of hosting a Purdue welcome for the incoming class,” said Dan Carpenter, assistant vice provost for Student Success Innovations. “Though the programs have evolved, we’re extremely proud to continue the legacy of helping thousands of Purdue students develop a strong sense of belonging at Purdue. There’s no other institution in the country where this many student volunteers sign up to facilitate orientation at this scale.” 

BGR and BGRi are organized annually by Student Success Programs. For more information about each, visit the Purdue Orientation Programs webpage.