Purdue News

April 7, 2003 Alumni to return for Gala Week at Purdue University WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Alumni will gather at Purdue University for reunions, entertainment and activities on April 21-27 during Gala Week, which is sponsored by the Purdue Alumni Association. Registration and activities information will be available at Gala Week headquarters in the Purdue Memorial Union, Room 118. The office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26. For registration and ticket information, call (800) 414-1541 or (765) 494-5178. A complete listing of events also is available online at the Alumni Gala Week site. The Class of 1953 will be inducted into the Forever Class during the "Loyalty Brunch" at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom. Loyalty Certificates also will be presented to members of the 55th, 60th, 65th, 70th and 75th reunion classes. Tickets, which are $14, must be purchased in advance. Following the brunch, the annual class parade to John Purdue's grave will step off at 12:45 p.m. from the area between the Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center. The parade is traditionally led by the oldest attending graduate. The parade features the "Gold and Black" Band, Purdue Pete and the Boilermaker Special. Other Saturday events include the 129th Founders Day Reception and Banquet. An hourlong reception will start at 4:45 p.m. in the South Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union. The banquet will follow at 6 p.m. in the union's North Ballroom. It will feature comments by Purdue President Martin C. Jischke, entertainment by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and special alumni awards. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. A Big Band song and dance program with the Purdue Jazz Band will take place after the banquet. Many schools have scheduled activities for alumni between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26. A coffee social will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 27, in the Purdue Memorial Union main lounges to celebrate the classes of 1923, 1928, 1933, 1938, 1943, 1948 and 1953. Marty Burns, director of reunions for the Purdue Alumni Association, says Gala Week should offer something of interest for every visiting alumnus. "Gala Week is a time for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater and their friends," Burns says. "Through these various activities and dinners, we hope alumni can rekindle the memories of their college days and renew their pride in Purdue." Other Gala Week related activities are: Friday, April 25 • Jazz on the Steps, 5 p.m., Hovde Hall steps. Formerly called Jazz on the Hill, this free jazz concert has been moved due to construction near Slayter Center. Multiple jazz bands, including the Alumni Jazz Band, will perform. Attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic. Sandwiches and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Saturday, April 26 • ROTC Hall of Fame Induction, 10 a.m., Purdue Armory. Graduates of the Purdue Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs will be inducted into the ROTC Hall of Fame. Pictures of each inductee will be hung in the armory. The first recipient of the Michael Christian Scholarship also will be announced. Contact: David Tate, nominating committee chairman, (765) 494-1392, dgtate@purdue.edu. • 46th annual Purdue Grand Prix go-kart race at the track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. The track opens at 10 a.m. The first qualifying sprint begins at 11:30 a.m. The 50-mile race starts at approximately 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the gate. • Jahari Dance Troupe Spring Revue, 7 p.m. Loeb Playhouse. Admission is $5 for students, $7 for the general public. Tickets will be sold at the door. Contact: Renee Thomas, Black Cultural Center director, (765) 494-3091. • Purdue University Bands Showcase I, 8 p.m., Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Free performances feature the Varsity, Collegiate and Purdue Concert bands. Sunday, April 27 • Purdue University Bands Showcase II, 2:30 p.m. Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Performances feature the Purdue Symphony Orchestra, Purdue Symphonic Band and Alumni Concert Band. Composer Robert W. Smith will serve as the guest director. The showcase is free. Contact Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785. In addition, the Robert L. Ringel Gallery exhibit "Women of the Book: Jewish Artists, Jewish Themes" will be open throughout the weekend. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27. The free exhibit is sponsored Purdue Galleries in conjunction with the Ben and Louise Klatch Jewish Arts Series. Contact: Mary Ann Anderson, Purdue Galleries administrative assistant, (765) 496-7899. The Stewart Center Gallery will showcase the Amelia Earhart Collection throughout the weekend. The exhibit, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 25, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, in Stewart Center, is presented in collaboration with the Libraries' grand reopening of the newly renovated Humanities, Social Science & Education Library in Stewart Center. Contact: Mary Ann Anderson, Purdue Galleries administrative assistant, (765) 496-7899. Purdue Theatre also will present "Fuddy Meers," a comedy which traces a woman's attempt to regain her memory while surrounded by bizarre characters. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Experimental Theatre, Stewart Center. Tickets are $14 and $16 for the general public, $8 and $10 for students and $10 and $12 for seniors. Call (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Next year Gala Week will merge with Spring Fest, which will take place Friday through Sunday, April 16-18. Senior alumni from classes celebrating 50 years or more since graduation will gain a new perspective on Purdue by participating in Spring Fest. The classes representing younger alumni will be honored during Homecoming. Spring Fest, which began 90 years ago as the Ag School Open House, features almost 100 campuswide events, activities, demonstrations and seminars, including the Bug Bowl, the Horticulture Show, Brick Bowl and school open houses. Last year, it attracted an estimated crowd of more than 30,000 people. CONTACT: Cathy Cobb, Purdue Alumni Association reunion secretary, (765) 494-5178, ccobb@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page