In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former NASA astronaut and Purdue University Presidential Ambassador Drew Feustel (BS solid earth sciences ’89, MS geophysics ’91), Purdue professors and NASA contributors Briony Horgan and Marshall Porterfield, and SpaceKids Global founders Marc (BS electrical engineering ’71, MS business and industrial administration ’72) and Sharon Hagle. These five Purdue space experts came together for a live panel after Purdue premiered a first-of-its-ki...
Oct 17, 2024•34 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to George Karlaftis (BS selling and sales management ’21), Purdue football alum, current defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs and two-time Super Bowl champion. In this episode you will: Follow George’s journey from playing water polo in Athens, Greece, to football at West Lafayette High School in Indiana. Learn what drew George to Purdue football and how he balanced being an All-Big Ten first team athlete with earning a degree in selling and...
Oct 03, 2024•30 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast 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 as the heartbeat of the university, with Jay serving as its fifth director. In this episode you will: Hear about the legacy Jay hopes to leave as he steps down at the end of the 2024 season. Journey around the world celebrating the incredible events where t...
Sep 19, 2024•47 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast 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 of Purdue’s campus — is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Sept. 9, 2024. In this episode you will: Learn about the history of the iconic Purdue Memorial Union from its fundraising efforts in the early 1900s to the newest renovations, like the Purdue Union Club...
Sep 05, 2024•31 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Preeti Sivasankar, Purdue University’s vice president for research innovation and professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Societal transformation begins with research, and no one knows this better than Preeti. Since joining Purdue’s faculty 19 years ago, she has contributed to making the department a leader in the field. Purdue is now home to the No. 2 speech-language pathology graduate program and No. 8 audiolo...
Aug 22, 2024•27 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Adriana Harmeyer, clinical assistant professor and archivist for university history, and “Jeopardy!” super-champion. In May and June 2024, Adriana earned super-champion status after winning 15 consecutive games of “Jeopardy!” As a longtime fan of this Emmy Award-winning game show, she was able to make her “Jeopardy!” dreams come true thanks to plenty of preparation and persistence. In this episode you will: Go behind the scenes of “Jeopardy!”...
Aug 08, 2024•33 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jan-Anders Mansson, executive director of the Ray Ewry Sports Engineering Center and Distinguished Professor of Materials and Chemical Engineering at Purdue. Sports engineering affects everyone, from those dedicated to getting their daily steps in to the most decorated Olympic athletes. The Purdue Research Series returns to “This Is Purdue” for a second season to explore how Purdue provides practical solutions to the world’s toughest challeng...
Jul 25, 2024•44 min•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Beth Bostwick, serial entrepreneur and author. As a prominent entrepreneur and mentor within Purdue Innovates, Beth (MS human resources ’89) provides passionate insights into the world of startups and details how young entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success. In this episode you will: Get to know Beth’s personal story of persistence as she fought through her multiple sclerosis diagnosis while earning her master’s at Purdue. Learn the ...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dan Hasler, chief operating officer, and David Umulis, senior vice provost and chief academic officer, of Purdue University in Indianapolis. As Purdue’s first comprehensive urban campus, Purdue in Indianapolis will bring exciting opportunities for students, faculty and the whole Boilermaker community. In this second episode of our Boilermaker Bites series, Dan and David discuss the importance of Purdue coming to downtown Indy, all while enjoy...
Jun 27, 2024•48 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Willie Reed, dean of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Join us as we celebrate Reed’s legacy as he prepares to step down after 17 years as dean. When you listen to this episode, you can expect to: Learn more about Dean Reed’s incredible journey of persistence — from being taught first grade by his grandmother in southern Alabama to becoming dean of one of the top veterinary schools in the country. Discover what led Dean Reed...
Jun 13, 2024•36 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re discussing the return of commercial flights to the Purdue University Airport and highlighting the university’s renowned history in aviation. Listen as Adam Baxmeyer (BS aviation administration ’02; MPA ’22, Purdue Global), director of the Purdue University Airport, and Rob Wynkoop, vice president of Auxiliary Services, share the importance of the Purdue Airport building upon the university’s nearly 100-year legacy in aviation excellence. After 20 years ...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to three Boilermakers who work behind the scenes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to execute “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — the Indianapolis 500. Listen as David Letherman (BS management ’15), senior manager of event personnel; Meredith Walker (BS management, marketing ’11), senior manager of VIP and talent experience; and Louis Kissinger (BS chemical engineering ’17), senior manager of events and administration, share how the problem-so...
May 23, 2024•45 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to five members of Purdue’s Cradle of Astronauts: Sirisha Bandla (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’11), Drew Feustel (BS solid earth sciences ’89, MS geophysics ’91), Beth Moses (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’92, MS aeronautics and astronautics ’94), Mark Polansky (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’78, MS aeronautics and astronautics ’78) and Audrey Powers (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering...
May 02, 2024•33 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Erik Miller, owner and winemaker of Kokomo Winery and Breaking Bread Winery. Listen as Erik (BS organizational leadership ’99) shares the journey of working his way up from a wine harvest intern to conceptualizing and later founding his own winery in Healdsburg, California, in the heart of Sonoma County. Erik’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped make Kokomo Winery an award-winning winery in California, where becoming a household name is increa...
Apr 18, 2024•46 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to PGA Tour golfer Adam Schenk. Adam is a Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business alum and former first-team All-Big Ten Purdue men’s golfer, who has spent nearly a decade dedicated to his full-time career on the golf course. During this time, he secured his PGA Tour card and rapidly ascended the leaderboard, often competing alongside some of the world's top-ranked golfers. The 2023 season took him to new heights pursuing his first PGA Tour ...
Apr 04, 2024•34 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO of Cummins Inc. Jennifer discusses her experience as a Purdue mechanical engineering student and how that led her to four internships with Cummins during her Boilermaker journey. Her story is unique because not many people can say they interned for a company and later served in the most senior role — CEO — of that same company. Hear her share the importance of leading a 105-year-old company into the future and t...
Mar 21, 2024•23 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former head coach Carolyn Peck and co-captains Stephanie White and Ukari Figgs as they reflect on the Purdue women’s basketball team’s 1999 NCAA National Championship. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this legendary win and listen as Coach Peck, Stephanie and Ukari share more about this historic season and the real story behind what happened when they arrived in San Jose for the Final Four of March Madness. From starting the season beating N...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Matt Folk, president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation. In this new “Boilermaker Bites” series, Matt joins podcast host Kate Young at 8Eleven Modern Bistro in the Purdue Memorial Union. Over a delicious meal of pasta with grilled scallops, Matt digs into Purdue for Life’s goal of helping everyone who is part of the Purdue community stay connected, get involved and give back. Matt explains that by bringing together the Purdue Alumni As...
Feb 22, 2024•32 min•Ep 102•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Rochelle Dorn-Hayes, human resources director at Ford Motor Co. Tune in as Rochelle shares more about her time at Purdue, where she earned her MBA from the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. She carries with her the lessons learned from her beloved mentor, Dr. Cornell A. Bell, and the importance of providing guidance to the next generation of Boilermakers through her involvement in the Business Opportunity Program (BOP). Rochelle al...
Feb 08, 2024•55 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast In this special 100th episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating and reflecting on our past episodes, which highlight Boilermakers who, through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap. Over the last three years, our podcast team has featured more than 160 Boilermaker guests, produced over 50 hours of audio and created over 200 video clips. We’re celebrating these incredible milestones by answering questions from our loyal “This Is Purdue” fans....
Jan 25, 2024•51 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jim Bullard, the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. Listen as Dean Bullard discusses his career journey from his time navigating obstacles like the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to accepting his new role with the Daniels School of Business — an opportunity he calls “irresistible.” Dean Bullard shares his excitement for the future and how he...
Jan 11, 2024•35 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating Boilermakers who provide practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. Part 2 of our “Greatest Hits of 2023” shines a light on the incredible research advancements from Purdue Boilermakers as we reflect on all four of our 2023 Research Series episodes. Listen as we highlight special moments from episodes with Purdue’s chief semiconductor officer Mark Lundstrom, food science professors Amanda Deering and Haley Oliver, associate prof...
Dec 21, 2023•40 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re starting to ring in the new year with some of our most popular episodes from 2023. Part 1 of our two-part “Greatest Hits of 2023” episode shines a light on the incredible stories and achievements of Boilermakers from across different disciplines. Tune in as we share highlights from episodes featuring Purdue President Mung Chiang, fighter pilot Heather Penney, Pizza Hut U.S. President David Graves, Purdue deputy athletics director Tiffini Grimes, Team Pe...
Dec 07, 2023•46 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Sangtae Kim, the Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Head of Chemical Engineering and Distinguished Professor. Sangtae dives into his family background — including what it was like growing up in a family of educators, his career at Eli Lilly and what brought him back to academia to lead Purdue University’s Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. Listen as Sangtae discusses the significance of the growing number of women majoring in engineering and Pur...
Nov 20, 2023•31 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast 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 hometown, when Leroy was an NFL player for the Eagles. Week after week they happened to keep showing up in the same-colored shirts. “I was learning how to bowl … and he and I began to have little wagers,” Monica reflects. “You know, ‘I’ll bet you a Coke.’ And th...
Nov 09, 2023•36 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast 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 someone who would succeed in college. But after high school, he struggled to find meaningful work without a college degree. On a whim, he applied to Purdue. Pretty soon, Bruce was auditioning for the Varsity Glee Club, teaching himself to play piano and reinven...
Oct 26, 2023•47 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former Purdue football quarterback Curtis Painter. After Curtis’ time at Purdue, he stayed right here at home in Indiana, playing three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts before the Baltimore Ravens signed him, then closing out his professional career with the New York Giants. Listen in as host Kate Young talks with Curtis about his time at Purdue. He reflects on highlights including a 62-10 blowout against Indiana University in the final gam...
Oct 12, 2023•26 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dave and Donna Beering, proud alumni and son and daughter-in-law of Dr. Steven C. Beering, former Purdue president. If you’re a Boilermaker, you’ve likely heard the name "Beering” or possibly taken a class or two inside Beering Hall. But in this special interview, you’ll get to know the Beering family on a more personal level, including stories about Dr. Beering’s time as a physician in the Air Force and how Dave, then a Purdue student, found...
Sep 28, 2023•43 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Michele Buzon, professor of anthropology in Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts. This marks the final episode in our 2023 Purdue Research Series, which shares how Purdue provides practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. As a bioarchaeologist, Michele’s examination of skeletal remains can help us better understand the lives of everyday people who lived thousands of years ago. She and her team conduct research along the b...
Sep 14, 2023•32 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast 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 it’s like to join the ranks of legendary Purdue football coaches like Jack Mollenkopf and Joe Tiller – and as one of the youngest collegiate head coaches in the entire country, no less! But first, Coach Walters takes us back to where it all began, growing up in a ...
Aug 30, 2023•30 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast 
