Purdue completes busy weekend of dedications

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Two new buildings, the expansion of a propulsion laboratory for research, an all-skills outdoor learning space and the Honor Tracks monument were dedicated by Purdue University on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 22 and 23).

The new Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories expansion dedication occurred on Friday (Sept. 22). Speakers included John Philo, graduate assistant at Zucrow Lab; Mung Chiang, John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering; and Purdue President Mitch Daniels.

Zucrow Laboratories, which is located in the Purdue Aerospace District, is one of the nation's largest university propulsion laboratories for combustion research, next-generation jet engines, rocket engines and propellants. More information on the expansion can be found here.

The dedication for the new Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Outdoor Learning Space, located at Lyles-Porter Hall, 715 Clinic Drive, was held Friday (Sept. 22). Speakers included Christine Ladisch, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences; Keith Kluender, professor and head of the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; and the Miles family.

Each component of the outdoor learning space was selected to support children with issues related to communication, sensory and motor skills. The equipment encourages children to play together rather than in isolation, and it will be used as part of research and clinical programming in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. 

The Wilmeth Active Learning Center dedication occurred Friday (Sept. 22). James L. Mullins, dean of libraries, and Daniels spoke at the event.  

The center, the site preparation and construction of which lasted for more than two years, offers students a unique learning experience through active learning and integrated study rooms and library spaces. The WALC combines library and classroom space for seamless, active learning scenarios. More information can be found here.

The Honor Tracks monument dedication, which commemorates Purdue’s new student honor pledge, was held Saturday (Sept. 23). Located on the lawn between Elliott Hall of Music, Psychological Sciences Building and Haas Hall, the monument replaces a sidewalk with 40 feet of black granite railroad track. Speakers included Daniels and several students.

The granite ties of the tracks spell out iconic words from Purdue's new student honor pledge. More information about the pledge is available here. The project was the work of the Order of the Iron Key, a Purdue student society devoted to service-oriented leadership. More than 75 individual and student organization donors contributed more than $60,000 plus material and labor. 

The new Bechtel Innovation Design Center dedication was held on Saturday (Sept. 23) at 1090 Third Street, West Lafayette. Speakers included Allison Gruninger, electrical and computer engineering graduate and Purdue Engineering Student Council alumna; Gary Bertoline, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute; Chiang; and Daniels.

The Bechtel Innovation Design Center is a new student project facility that encourages creativity; hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities across disciplines; and the development of teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills through curricular and student-led projects. More information on the design center can be found here. 

Writer: Megan Huckaby, 765-496-1325, mhuckaby@purdue.edu 

Sources: Teresa Koltzenburg, director of strategic communications for Purdue Libraries, 765-496-0069, tkoltzen@purdue.edu

Christine Babick, director of communications for Purdue College of Engineering, 765-496-0417, babick@purdue.edu

Casey Dexter, director of donor relations and events, College of Health and Human Sciences, CCDexter@prf.org

Roger Stewart, student affairs specialist, Dean of Students, rcstewar@purdue.edu