Purdue News

September 22, 1999 Beering to conduct alma mater at Purdue-Northwestern game WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – "Close by the Wabash, in famed Hoosier land, stands old Purdue, serene and grand..." Purdue President Steven C. Beering will share a poignant moment with Purdue football fans Saturday (9/25) as he climbs onto the conductor's podium to lead the "All-American" Marching Band in "Purdue Hymn." Although Beering has sung the university's alma mater along with the 400-member band countless times, this represents his first time to conduct it. "Purdue Hymn" has a special significance to this Purdue president, because it was in 1993 that Beering convinced the Board of Trustees to adopt the hymn as the university's first official alma mater. Soon after Beering assumed the reins of leadership at Purdue in 1983, he started drumming up interest in the idea of establishing an official university song, and he sought input from students and alumni. "There are a number of Purdue songs, but 'Purdue Hymn' emerged as the one most identified with the university," said Purdue spokesman Joseph Bennett. "'Purdue Hymn' is fairly easy to sing, has stirring lyrics and evokes the spirit of our university very nicely." "Purdue Hymn" will occur in its traditional spot as part of the marching bands' pregame stadium show for Purdue's match with Northwestern University in Ross-Ade Stadium. The pregame stadium show begins at approximately 10:45 a.m. Kickoff time is 11:10 a.m. During the performance of the hymn, fans are encouraged, as always, to sing along, said David Leppla, director of Purdue's Department of Bands. The JumboTron screen on the main scoreboard will present a photographic collage of special moments from the Beering presidency during the number. The song was first sung publicly by Purdue Musical Organizations during a 1943 performance in Elliott Hall of Music. Alfred B. Kirchhoff wrote the song in 1941. He was a graduate student at Purdue, and also served as teacher, choirmaster and organist at St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page