Purdue Global to celebrate accomplishments of record number of graduates at October commencement

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults, will host commencement ceremonies on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus Saturday, Oct. 5, for nearly 1,500 in-person graduates and 764 graduates participating in virtual ceremonies — a record high for a Purdue Global commencement weekend.

Due to the number of individuals graduating in person, three ceremonies are scheduled throughout the day at Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music. They are (all Eastern time):

• 9 a.m. — Schools of Law, Health Sciences, Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies, and Nursing
• 12:30 p.m. — College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• 4 p.m. — School of Business and Information Technology

Two virtual ceremonies will follow at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

The graduates, including 390 Indiana residents, represent 26 countries and 49 states plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. There are 359 graduates affiliated with the military. Thirty-four systemwide Purdue University employees are earning a Purdue Global degree or certificate via the Purdue Global education benefit.

Tickets are not required for admission to Elliott Hall of Music. All attendees will have any bags checked at the door prior to entry.

Chancellor Frank Dooley will address the graduates, along with more than 10,000 guests, faculty and staff members.

Emily Lewis of Boston, who earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Purdue Global in 2024, will give the keynote address. Lewis is now working on her Master of Public Health from Purdue Global. Lewis is a community advocate who has supported research on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease for the last five years. She currently works at a Boston nonprofit that seeks to end elder isolation and the public health obstacles that older adults face. She also teaches a dance therapy program to older adults with Parkinson’s disease.

Commencement will feature three different vocalists singing the national anthem — one for each ceremony. Ickebor Lorena Martinez of Miami, will sing in the first ceremony. Martinez is receiving a Bachelor of Science in health care administration. The second ceremony will feature Ebony Collier of Chicago, who is receiving her Master of Science in human services. Carson Sowers will sing in the third ceremony on Saturday. Sowers is from Lexington, Virginia, and is receiving his Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Additional commencement activities

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Tyler Sorg will continue Purdue Global’s tradition of giving the “Last Lecture” to graduates. Sorg is a full-time faculty member who teaches a wide variety of development and mentoring courses in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Faculty are nominated by students and then selected for the “Last Lecture” as a testament to their impact on students.

Events on Friday, Oct. 4, include the Nursing Honor Society Induction Ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the Black and Gold Celebration for all in-person graduates from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Frances A. Córdova Recreation Sports Center on Purdue’s campus. The Purdue for Life Foundation in conjunction with Purdue Global, will celebrate the latest Purdue Global active-duty and veteran graduates with a Military Appreciation Dinner.

More information, including how to watch commencement ceremonies online, can be found at the Commencement Showroom.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.