Inaugural Purdue Day of Service to promote volunteerism, campus beautification

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University and the Purdue for Life Foundation announce the inaugural Purdue Day of Service, to be held Oct. 29, on the West Lafayette campus.

Created as a way to encourage Purdue alumni and friends of the university to embrace volunteerism, the first Purdue Day of Service will feature tree planting near the corner of McCormick Road and Third Street and beautification work at Horticulture Park. This event aligns with the university’s 1869 Tree Planting Master Plan, which calls for planting 3,738 trees by fiscal year 2025, and the Sustainability Master Plan.

The total number of trees to be planted in the tree master plan was determined by doubling 1,869, which is the year Purdue was founded.

“Volunteering is the perfect way to get involved and give back to the community you love, and this event is also a great chance for alumni and friends of Purdue to stay connected,” said Courtney Magnuson, senior director of outreach and volunteerism for the Purdue for Life Foundation. “Making the world a better place is a core component of Purdue’s mission, and we’ll be doing exactly that — one tree at a time.”

Day of Service activities will begin with registration at 8 a.m. ET at the corner of McCormick Road and Third Street. Participants will be provided with exclusive event T-shirts and all necessary equipment at that time. Work shifts are scheduled for 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., with lunch and remarks set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free lunch will be provided to each volunteer.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

About the Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation helps friends and alumni of Purdue University stay connected, get involved and give back. Created on March 11, 2020, the foundation deepens alumni ties to Purdue, drives and coordinates all alumni-related activities across the Purdue family’s post-graduation lives and works with alumni and friends to garner support for the university.

The organization combines the alumni engagement function of the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office, and it includes the President’s Council, the John Purdue Club and the Office of Industry Partnerships, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities. Learn more online.

Media contact: Jim Bush, jsbush@purdue.edu