Purdue University seeks community volunteers for two Guinness World Record official attempts during BGR

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is recruiting about 200 volunteers from surrounding communities to serve as stewards during two Guinness World Record official attempts, which will take place Aug. 15 on campus.

On that day, more than 7,500 students participating in Purdue’s Boiler Gold Rush orientation program will gather at Ross-Ade Stadium to attempt to form the largest recorded human letter, a title currently held by the University of California, Berkeley with 7,194 participants. Immediately thereafter, students will transition to the university’s second official attempt, most people blowing train whistles simultaneously, a record held by the Village of Bartlett in Illinois with 1,569 participants.

For the latter attempt, Guinness requires at least one steward per every 50 students to observe and verify participation. Because stewards may not be Purdue students or employees, record achievement is dependent on help from community members. Volunteers will be required to attend one training session on Purdue’s campus before the event, which will last about two hours. They will also need to be available from approximately 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. All who participate will receive a free T-shirt, as well as lunch and refreshments.

Purdue’s Guinness World Record attempts are part of a larger effort to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Boiler Gold Rush. The event also aligns with Purdue University’s 150th anniversary celebration and yearlong Ideas Festival, themed “Giant Leaps,” a nod to Neil Armstrong’s historic statement on the moon.

Todd Braverman, organizer of Purdue’s record attempts, says the event will be a fun opportunity for students and community members to show their school pride and leave a lasting impact.

“With the 2018 incoming class being the largest in Purdue history, we’re excited for our new students to kick off their Purdue experience in a big way,” says Braverman, program assistant for Purdue’s Orientation Programs (part of Student Success Programs). “Having participated in another large-scale official record attempt at my alma mater, I know firsthand that this will be an experience our students and volunteers are going to remember and talk about for a long time.”

Those who would like to participate may fill out the volunteer form and select which session they will attend. Volunteers must complete the training to qualify as a steward. The signup form closes on July 13, 2018.

• Noon to 2 p.m. July 30, 2018

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, 2018

• 8:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 2, 2018 

Writer: Andrea Mattingly, 765-496-3754, andrea@purdue.edu 

Source: Todd Braverman, 765-494-0437, tbraverm@purdue.edu