Purdue students unfurl plan to salute Boilermakers worldwide
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University honored Boilermakers around the world with a permanent display of flags of more than 120 nations in its Memorial Union.
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The $20,000 project was sponsored by the Purdue students in the Iron Key, a senior student leadership honorary, and was funded by more than 40 offices, student groups and individuals.
The goal is to honor our students and alumni who blanket the globe, said Iron Key member Behnam Arjomandi, of Shiraz, Iran, who just earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue in agribusiness management and is now pursuing a master's degree.
"Purdue is home to the second largest international student body at a U.S. public institution, which creates the very kind of diverse environment that benefits all students," Arjomandi said. "Together we develop an understanding and appreciation for one another that will prepare us to take positions in our global community and interdependent economy.
"The flags also will serve as reminder to all students of the value of study abroad, which we hope will be an integral part of their education."
Heather Owen, program director for the Purdue Memorial Union, said opening ceremonies involved many of the key sponsors, including the Purdue Student Union Board and Purdue Student Government as well as Iron Key.
"This project is meant to honor our students, not their countries as political entities," said L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students. "We are recognizing that the fabric of Purdue — its students and graduates — is international. There is so much to be gained by all our students, faculty and staff when they come to know one another.
"Wherever you go, there are Boilermakers who are better citizens of the world because of their experiences here."
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Sources: L. Tony Hawkins, (765) 494-1239, lthawkins@purdue.edu
Heather Owen, (765) 494-8089, owenh@purdue.edu
Behnam Arjomandi, (765) 494-9813
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Staff of the Purdue Memorial Union will be hanging the flag display Monday (Sept. 18). Journalists are welcome to cover the hanging of the flags as well as the ceremony on Sept. 21.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Steve Strouse of Purdue's physical facilities department gets international flags ready to hang on Monday (Sept. 18) in the Purdue Memorial Union West Great Hall. The display includes the flags of more than 120 nations that are represented by students, faculty and staff at the university. The $20,000 project was sponsored by the Purdue students in the Iron Key, a senior student leadership honorary, and will be funded by more than 40 offices, student groups and individuals. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality image is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/PMU-flaginstall.jpg
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