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 those who are continuing to do so. As part of Black History Month and beyond, we commemorate those who helped make Purdue University the outstanding institution of higher learning it is today.
Purdue University
Black Cultural Center
A vibrant element of university life, the Purdue Black Cultural Center offers a wealth of programs and services for the entire campus community. The BCC brings together the diversity of the Purdue family by nurturing and presenting the rich heritage of the African American experience through art, history and cultural understanding.
Explore the Stories
A ‘forever professor’ for Purdue students in Indianapolis
Katrenia Reed Hughes feels a responsibility to help the students she teaches achieve long-term success.
Building tools to shape the future of health science
Myson Burch, an IBM research scientist, uses skills he sharpened at Purdue to address complex health issues As he reflects upon his journey in computer science, Dr. Myson Burch can pinpoint the experience that transformed the discipline from something he …
Encouraging progress in policies and programs
What motivates the president of Purdue Student Government? “Giving back is my priority,” Shye Robinson says.
Podcast Ep. 95: Football Legend Leroy Keyes’ Wife, Monica, on Earning Her Master’s Degree at Purdue, Raising Their Family in the Boilermaker Community and Her Husband’s Legacy
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Monica Keyes, wife of the late Purdue icon and former Boilermaker football player and coach Leroy Keyes. Turns out, the couple met in a church bowling league in Philadelphia, Monica’s …
Podcast Ep. 90: Coach Ryan Walters and the New Era of Purdue Football
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to our new Purdue University head football coach, Ryan Walters. Listen as Coach Walters describes how he felt when he got the call from Purdue Athletics Director Mike Bobinski and what …
DSS special agent Justin Scott: From Purdue to the U.S. Department of State
Justin Scott’s globe-spanning career packs more action in a day than seems possible.
Devin Mockobee’s running start
Devin Mockobee has a blue-collar mentality and work ethic that is endearing and relatable to Purdue’s fan base.
Podcast Ep. 88: ‘Dune’ Star, Tony Nominee Stephen McKinley Henderson Reflects on Purdue Theatre Education
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Tony-nominated actor and “Dune” star Stephen McKinley Henderson (MA theatre ’77).
A Vision of a More Food-Secure World
While growing up in Benin in western Africa, Doriane Sossou saw how food insecurity affected those around her.
Explore Videos
Parker Sisters
Courageous Parker sisters were ‘Boilermakers in every sense’
Nigel Taylor
Nigel Taylor shares how the historically Black Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. has been a true place of belonging for him on campus.
Meet Don and Liz
Don and Liz Thompson’s impact and commitment to Purdue, particularly the university’s Minority Engineering Program, have empowered generations of students.
Black Cultural Center Tour
Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center is a vibrant element of campus life. The BCC offers a wealth of the African American experience through art, history and cultural understanding education and programming
Leroy Keyes
Purdue football legend Leroy Keyes on growing up Black and how Purdue University made him feel accepted.
Toyinda Smith
This Purdue Hall of Famer continues to make an impact, now as an author, professor and coach, among other titles.
Black Voices of Inspiration
Established in 1975 as one of Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center performing arts ensembles, Black Voices of Inspiration (BVOI) is a choir dedicated to the performance of spirituals, gospels and contemporary songs of inspiration by African American composers.