Purdue Story Ideas

JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Aug. 12, 2002 Purdue Bands to hold auditions for solo twirlers Approximately 13 students will audition for the opportunity to become a solo baton twirler with the Purdue Marching Band. Auditions for the Golden Girl, Girl in Black and the Silver Twins will be at 3 p.m. Friday (8/16) at the practice field adjacent to 3rd Street across from Shreve Hall. Each twirler will perform a short routine and be interviewed by a panel of judges. Journalists will be able to shoot photos and video. Individual interviews with the twirlers also can be arranged. An announcement about the future of solo twirling auditions at Purdue also will be made at that time. The auditions serve as the finale to a week of band camp, which journalists and videographers also are welcome to cover. For a band camp schedule, contact Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu. Purdue getting ready for students' return Purdue University West Lafayette campus will soon welcome new students in anticipation of the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 19. The first major wave of undergraduates arrived Saturday (8/10) and Sunday (8/11), when 3,600 first-time students moved into University Residences for the Boiler Gold Rush orientation program. It is the largest group ever to participate in the program. Aside from the standard "moving in" story, Boiler Gold Rush offers many interview and photo opportunities. Coverage opportunities include Unionfest in the Purdue Memorial Union and Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center from 8 p.m. to midnight today (Monday, 8/12) and Tuesday (8/13). Also today, Wendy Fox will offer a humorous and informative alcohol awareness presentation at 1:30 p.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. Issues related to diversity will be explored at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (8/13) in a presentation entitled "Mosaics: Cultural Diversity on Campus" in the Elliott Hall of Music. New this year is the "Meet the Schools" resource fair. The fair and a picnic will take place Wednesday (8/14) at the Memorial Mall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. At 8:30 p.m. that evening, comedian Buzz Sutherland will perform at the Elliott Hall of Music. He is a popular entertainer who has appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman" and the "Jay Leno Show." Orientation will conclude with "Purdue Palooza" at the Purdue West Shopping Center from 2-10 p.m. on Thursday (8/15). It will feature club-sponsored contests and 11 local bands. A complete listing of the Boiler Gold Rush schedule can be viewed on the web. CONTACT: Bill Schnackel, senior director for University Residences, (765) 494-1000, bschnackel@purdue.edu; Patti Dulik, senior assistant director of orientation and new student programs, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu. Purdue gears up for Indiana State Fair Journalists covering the Indiana State Fair will find a variety of photo and story opportunities on Wednesday (8/14) during Purdue Day. While the School of Agriculture has been a well-known presence at the fair, this will mark the first time that a majority of the various schools and departments will be represented to showcase new research and technology. A student-designed Formula race car will be parked on the fairgrounds' Main Street throughout the day. Fairgoers will be able to get inside the car for a closer look and can question designers. From noon to 2 p.m. astronaut and Purdue alum Jerry Ross will pose for pictures. At 4:30 p.m. he will be part of an autograph session with other Purdue personalities as part of the "Click It Or Ticket" display on the Main Street Stage. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will join more than 300 university staff and students, who also will be participating in Purdue Day. Sights and sounds will include Purdue cheerleaders, the "All-American" Marching Band and the Boilermaker Special. Guests staying from 5-6:30 p.m. can join the "rally on Main Street Stage," with remarks by Jischke and Purdue dignitaries. Guests will have the opportunity to enter drawings and win free tickets to a Purdue football game, which will be announced at the rally. Journalists needing assistance during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair can contact Beth Forbes, Purdue Agricultural Communications, (765) 427-5179 (cell); or Jesica Webb, Purdue News Service, (765) 491-1460 (cell). CONTACT: Dana Neary, Purdue Day co-organizer, (765) 494-1113, nearyd@purdue.edu; Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu. Events • Monday, Aug. 19. Fall semester classes begin. • Monday, Sept. 9. University Senate Meeting. Stewart Center, Room 302. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page