zong6, Author
Purdue celebrates Black Excellence
Purdue is committed to celebrating Black excellence with stories about the giant leaps made by Purdue’s outstanding Black students, alumni, faculty and staff. We honor the individuals from our Boilermaker history who have made significant impact on our university, and …
Drenner honored with Purdue Global Faculty Scholarship Award
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For Karla Drenner, her research has come full circle. Years ago, for her PhD dissertation, the Purdue Global faculty member picked marriage equality. And in her longtime position as a Georgia state representative, the topic has surfaced, and …
Purdue Global Announced as Presenting Sponsor of 2022 Purdue Football Season
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults, will be the presenting sponsor of the 2022 Boilermaker Football season. The agreement between the two high-profile entities, secured by Purdue Sports Properties of LEARFIELD, will elevate …
Business Opportunity Program
The day following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, a group of Krannert faculty members approached then-dean John S. Day to establish the Business Opportunity Program (BOP) to increase diversity and provide underrepresented students …
Derek Fordjour
The BOILERMAKER, by artist Derek Fordjour, was given to the Purdue Black Alumni Organization (PBAO) on October 2, 2009, Homecoming Weekend, after the premier of the film Black Purdue directed by Fordjour and Jamar White. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of …
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.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
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 …
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 …