Purdue has unveiled a broad strategy of AI@Purdue across five functional areas: Learning with AI, Learning about AI, Researching AI, Using AI and Partnering in AI. A key element of the comprehensive plan came as the Board of Trustees approved a first-of-its-kind plan in the country to introduce an “AI working competency” graduation requirement for all undergraduate students on main campus (Indianapolis and West Lafayette).
The Board of Trustees heard an update from Ryan Gallagher, Purdue’s associate vice president for facilities operations and environmental health and safety, on the progress made toward sustainability at the university. Purdue has been recognized by various organizations for sustainability practices, including a Times Higher Education ranking of the No. 6 university in the U.S. contributing to sustainable cities and communities, and a new Bee Campus USA designation.
In the latest Academic and Research Excellence Update, Provost Patrick Wolfe, Executive Vice President for Research Dan DeLaurentis, and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Chris Ruhl highlight key investments, new tools, services and initiatives that support, incentivize and reward scholarly impact and research excellence at Purdue.
Purdue faculty members Stephan Biller, Luna Lu and David Nolte have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). They join the 2025 cohort — which includes 16 international fellows and 169 U.S. fellows representing 127 universities, government agencies and research institutions — and will be inducted during NAI’s 15th annual meeting in June 2026 in Los Angeles.
The new Trailblazer Fund, which fuels student organization innovation in Indianapolis, has awarded grants totaling more than $70,000 to 21 registered student organizations in Indianapolis in its first funding cycle. For Purdue students in Indianapolis, the fund offers significant additional financial support to launch and sustain clubs and organizations, providing up to $5,000 for capital equipment and up to $2,000 for program operations and supplies.
Longtime Purdue Memorial Union hostess Ruth Krauch created a story about giving that she shared with legions of schoolchildren who visited the Union each year to see its massive Christmas tree. Her story about the tree’s pink mitten decoration lives on more than 40 years later as a Purdue holiday tradition.
