Celebrating Black Excellence

Honoring Boilermakers who have shaped our community 

Our university is committed to honoring the Black students, alumni, faculty and staff who have had pivotal roles in our history. We look up to the individuals who made memorable contributions and thank those who continue to do so today.  

Explore some of the outstanding achievements of Black Boilermakers and the giant leaps they have taken around the world. 

What can you imagine at Purdue?

The only barriers to what you can achieve should be the limits of your imagination.

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Purdue University professor in Indianapolis Katrenia Reed Hughes

A ‘forever professor’ for Purdue students in Indianapolis

Katrenia Reed Hughes feels a responsibility to help the students she teaches achieve long-term success.

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Stephen McKinley Henderson on his journey to the top

The Purdue alumnus says theater “makes us look ourselves squarely in the face.”

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Graduating from Purdue Polytechnic High School and Purdue University

For Kayla Owens, being a Boilermaker began before her freshman year of college.

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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.

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podcast | Experience

Podcast Ep. 124: Renee Thomas on Helping College Students Find Their Community at Purdue University

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Renee Thomas, Purdue University’s associate vice provost for student access and community engagement.  For more than 35 years, Renee has increased educational opportunities for thousands of Boilermakers.  In this episode,…
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Kayla Owens

video | Education

Graduating from PPHS and Purdue 

Kayla Owens pursues her dreams through Purdue  For Kayla Owens, being a Boilermaker began long before the start of her freshman year of college. As part of Purdue Polytechnic High School’s first graduating class, she’s been persistently pursuing her dreams…
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article | Athletics

The Colvins: A Boilermaker family

Family ties can become the ties that bind. In the Colvin family, togetherness takes many forms. Raven Colvin, a senior on Purdue’s nationally ranked volleyball team, and Myles Colvin, a sophomore on the men’s basketball squad, couldn’t be more different….
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article | Athletics

Purdue Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi reflects on Paris experience

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, former Purdue Track & Field star, was proud to represent his country and alma mater at the Olympics.

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article | Athletics

Black pioneers who shaped Purdue Athletics

Five Boilermakers reflect on what it was like to be a Black student-athlete at Purdue Pioneers. There have been many in Purdue Athletics history. But perhaps none more important than those among the first Black student-athletes to compete for the…
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Purdue University professor in Indianapolis Katrenia Reed Hughes

article | Experience

A ‘forever professor’ for Purdue students in Indianapolis

Katrenia Reed Hughes feels a responsibility to help the students she teaches achieve long-term success.

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Purdue computer scientist PhD recipient Myson Burch

article | Experience

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…
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Shye Robinson in Washington, D.C.

article | Experience

Encouraging progress in policies and programs

What motivates the president of Purdue Student Government? “Giving back is my priority,” Shye Robinson says.

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podcast | Experience

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…
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Justin Scott

article | Education

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.

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Purdue running back Devin Mockobee

article | Education

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.

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Stephen McKinley Henderson

podcast | Education

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).

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