Patrons make use of Purdue’s John W. Hicks Undergraduate Library, which opened its doors in 1982. (Photos courtesy of Purdue Archives and Special Collections)
Boilermaker breakthroughs: Academics at Purdue in the 1980s
Even back in the 1980s, Boilermakers were focused on subjects that are still relevant today. Virus mapping. Paving the way for a global internet. Intelligent manufacturing. Energy-efficient housing. Aerospace innovation. The university was investing in technology, life sciences and engineering, dedicating new buildings during the decade that would lay the groundwork for future breakthroughs. The ’80s were a time of booming enrollment at Purdue and a pivotal period in its academic evolution. Check out a collection of images from that era.
