Category: Purdue Traditions

Mollie Parker stands with the Windsor Racing Grand Prix kart outside Windsor Hall

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Grand Prix experience reveals a new career path for Purdue student

As a sophomore living in Windsor Hall, Mollie Parker saw the flyer that changed her life.
Travis Iles sits on a go-kart in the Sigma Chi garage

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A Boilermaker fan cave dedicated to the Purdue Grand Prix

Many items in Travis Iles’ fan cave relate to the Purdue Grand Prix, which he won in 2009.
Brian Bobay stands outside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

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An insider’s perspective on the new and improved IMS Museum

IMS Museum guests now receive a musical welcome from a group that Boilermakers know well.
Purdue Grand Prix alums Al Wurster, Dave Fuhrman and Bill Shumaker hold up an Indianapolis Motor Speedway brick with Purdue Grand Prix Foundation president Wil Rohrbach.

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Bringing a treasured Indy 500 tradition to the Purdue Grand Prix

Only two U.S. racetracks have original bricks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Darrell and Tina Smith pose for a photo at the Purdue Memorial Union Christmas tree.

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A late spouse’s Christmas dream realized

Darrell Smith honored his late wife’s wish by donating this year’s Purdue Christmas tree.

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Podcast Ep. 117: ‘Joy of My Life’ — Celebrating Jay Gephart’s Purdue ‘All-American’ Marching Band Legacy 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jay Gephart, the Al G. Wright Chair of Purdue Bands & Orchestras, conductor of Purdue Wind Ensemble and director of the “All-American” Marching Band.  The prestigious marching band is known...
Purdue Memorial Union

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Podcast Ep. 116: Celebrating 100 Years of History at the Purdue Memorial Union

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Bob Mindrum, former director of the Purdue Memorial Union and author of “Purdue Memorial Union, The First 100 Years, 1924 to 2024.”  The Purdue Memorial Union — a longtime centerpiece...
Eric Jakubiak poses in the lockers he built to house his Purdue memorabilia collection.

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A fan cave can go anywhere — even in a bathroom

Eric Jakubiak remodeled his basement bathroom in gold and black during a pandemic quarantine You wouldn’t necessarily look at the photo and understand its significance unless you were a Boilermaker — and even then, you’d need to be Eric Jakubiak...
Purdue alum Don Hunt and his bar built using a section of original flooring from Mackey Arena

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Check out a Purdue fan cave where each piece has a memorable story

Don Hunt still has the ticket from his first Purdue game, among his extensive Boilermaker memorabilia collection.
Molly, Bill and Sam Walker share a special family bond in the Purdue Christmas Show

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Celebrating 90 years of Christmas cheer

The Purdue Christmas Show tradition is full of cross-generational connections between family members
Darrell Smith, a Purdue maintenance technician and longtime caretaker of the Purdue Memorial Union Christmas tree

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A special holiday tradition and a tribute to a beloved spouse

The Purdue Memorial Union Christmas tree is the centerpiece of one of the university’s most beloved traditions.

Purdue’s “Piano Man,” Bruce Barker.

podcast | Experience

Podcast Ep. 94: ‘Piano Man’ Bruce Barker on His Purdue Experience, Playing in Front of Millions and Retirement

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Purdue’s “Piano Man,” Bruce Barker. Despite growing up in Lafayette, Bruce didn’t see himself attending Purdue. He wasn’t the best student while in school, and he didn’t peg himself as...