October 2024 Newsletter

Fall 2024 Family Weekend Approaching!

We are excited to welcome families back to campus November 1-3 for Fall Family Weekend. Check out the Fall Family Weekend event listing for full details on events happening in West Lafayette, Indianapolis and surrounding areas. Registration for Fall Family Weekend will close on October 18th!

Purdue Parents Stay Connected

For many Boilermakers, parents and families have been a significant part of the foundation for their academic and social success prior to their arrival at Purdue. While attending college is a crucial next step in the social and academic development of students, parents and families may feel unsure of how to support their students in their collegiate journey. Read more.

For second year in a row, Purdue ranked among top 50 undergraduate colleges in America by U.S. News & World Report

Purdue University is again the highest-ranked public university in Indiana, and, for the second straight year, the state’s only public institution among the nation’s top 50, according to the latest 2025 Best Colleges ranking compiled by U.S. News & World Report. In rankings focusing primarily on undergraduate programs, released today (Sept. 24), Purdue placed No. 18 among public universities and tied for No. 46 overall among 434 national universities, while also extending its streak as one of the top 10 Most Innovative schools in the nation (No. 9) to seven consecutive years. Read more.

Federal Work Study 

• Wednesday, 10/23 2-3pm
• Wednesday, 11/20 9-10am

 

The Purdue OWL

We at the Purdue OWL hear a lot of parents are the editors of choice for students. And while parents certainly know best, we want to remind you that the Purdue OWL is here to complement the writing advice you give your children. 

Our professionally-trained staff of consultants can help with all stages of the writing process—whether that's brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or revising—and can assist with any genre or academic assignment. On the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses, OWL writing consultants are available for hour-long, one-to-one appointments Monday-Friday and even on Sundays as well; students can schedule up to three appointments per week and, after each appointment, a detailed report will be sent directly to their inboxes as a friendly reminder about what was covered during the session. 

Here at the OWL, we are always happy to chat with students about their writing, and we want to empower them with the skills needed to improve their writing and communication. Institutional data indicates that students who come to the Purdue OWL have higher GPAs and are more likely to remain in college and graduate. By encouraging your child to visit the Purdue OWL, you can model the type of help-seeking behaviors that studies show lead to academic success. Find out more about Purdue OWL.

 

Photo gallery: ‘Inside the Capsule’ with the Purdue Memorial Union

On September 17, Boilermakers celebrated the Purdue Memorial Union’s centennial during the “Inside the Capsule” event, which included keynote speeches, the unpacking of the 1924 PMU time capsule and the packing of a new capsule. See photos from the celebration and learn what’s inside the new capsule.

A collection of 74 bronze sculptures by the French impressionist Edgar Degas is now open. Believed to be the only complete collection of the works currently on display, the sculptures were a gift to the Purdue University College of Liberal Arts from alumnus Avrum Gray (BS mechanical engineering ‘56). Valued at more than $21 million with a market value of as much as $52 million, the collection represents the largest gift in the history of the College of Liberal Arts. Hours, location and important dates.

Students can register for this year’s Winter Session in their myPurdue portal. 

Students can earn three credits by taking an asynchronous online course from Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, to Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, or by participating in a short-term Study Abroad program. 

Students are encouraged to discuss winter course options with their academic advisor during their spring registration advising appointment. 

For more information, visit the Winter Session website.

 

‘This Is Purdue’: Celebrating Jay Gephart’s Purdue ‘All-American’ Marching Band legacy

In the latest “This Is Purdue” episode, Jay Gephart, the Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands and Orchestras, conductor of Purdue Wind Ensemble and director of the “All-American” Marching Band, shares the legacy he hopes to leave as he steps down at the end of the 2024 season.

Commencement Corner

As a reminder, there is a dedicated website for Purdue Commencement providing Key Dates, Ticketing Information, Parking Information and many other helpful tips as your student prepares for Commencement

Winter 2024

Division I -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET

• College of Agriculture (including Agricultural and Biological Engineering)
• College of Health & Human Sciences
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business

Division II -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. ET

• College of Education
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Science
• Polytechnic Institute

Division III -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET

• College of Engineering (excluding Agricultural and Biological Engineering)

Spring 2025 Commencement Dates

May 16-18, 2025

• Divisions to be determined.

Dates

October 7-8, fall break

November 27-30, Thanksgiving break

December 9-14, final exams

December 14, fall term ends

December 15, winter commencement