article Assata Gilmore No fewer than five of Assata Gilmore’s family members attended Purdue University before her, so there were certainly big footprints to be filled. Needless to say, Gilmore filled them — and more. Learn More
article David Robert Lewis Since its founding in 1887, Purdue University’s School of Civil Engineering has been dedicated to the advancement of society – through not only research and implementation, but cultural progressiveness as well. One of the School’s first significant cultural achievements came… Learn More
article Helen Bass Williams Helen Bass Williams (1916–1991) was a significant figure in the Civil Rights movement before coming to Purdue in 1968 as an instructor in French and a counselor in the School of Humanities, Social Science, and Education (HSSE). Born and raised… Learn More
article Nichole Wilson For Nichole Wilson, the goal was always to be among the leaders in healthcare. The exact path, however, was not always so clear. “I’ve always had leadership in my DNA, and I reached a point where I wanted to take the next step in my… Learn More
article Purdue University Black Alumni Authors We recognize the following Black authors, all alumni of Purdue University, and their contributions to literature. Their powerful use of language is changing the world. Learn More
article Cornell Bell Dr. Cornell A. Bell distinguished himself in education with his personal involvement and dedication in helping provide opportunities to hundreds of students through the Business Opportunity Program. He was the director of the program for 37 years until his retirement… Learn More
article Kassandra Agee Chandler Kassandra “Katie” Agee Chandler (M’80) was born to a blue-collar family from Gary, Indiana. She originally aspired to attend an out of state college following high school graduation. This plan was disrupted when she was contacted by Cornell Bell (PhD… Learn More
article We support Black Engineers The We Support Black Engineers Campaign was curated to celebrate and show support for Purdue’s College of Engineering Black students, faculty, staff and alumni. This campaign pays homage to the Civil Rights Movement and to the historical I AM A MAN imagery birthed from… Learn More
article Clara Bell Clara E. Bell forged a personal footpath that developed her empathy for the complexities that faced Purdue University’s black students and her black colleagues. She shined a spotlight on the distinct needs of minority nursing students, minority faculty, and what… Learn More
article Erin Cook Aspiring animation specialist Erin Cook’s love for beauty and creativity doesn’t stop with her major. To her, music comes hand-in-hand with athletics, and she knew she wanted all of it in her college experience. “I wanted a school with a… Learn More
article Lamar Lundy Lamar Lundy (HHS’57) arrived at Purdue in 1953 from Richmond, Indiana. At 6 feet 7 inches and 200 pounds, he was a dominant presence in both basketball and football. A three-time letter winner, Lundy was named Most Valuable Player in… Learn More
article Dolores Cooper Shockley The Minority Engineering Program Remembers the Legacy of: Dr. Dolores Cooper Shockley Ph.D. ’55 – A Historical Moment for Purdue and the Nation Dolores completed her early education at Booker T. Washington in Clarksdale, Mississippi until the tenth grade. She… Learn More