In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Shawn Taylor (Management’82), a successful entrepreneur and the newest member of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. Listen as Shawn describes his childhood growing up on the south side of Chicago, his experience as a first-generation college graduate and the impact Purdue’s very own Dr. Cornell A. Bell, the former director/chairman of the Business Opportunity Program, had on his life both pre- and post-college. Plus, you’ll hear about S...
Sep 15, 2022•47 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dave Shondell, Purdue University’s Art and Connie Euler Women’s Volleyball Head Coach. From growing up immersed in volleyball with his dad and brothers, to leading teams at the high school and collegiate levels, Coach Shondell shares more about his passion for the sport and how it feels to coach athletes like Olympic gold medalist Annie Drews. He also discusses Purdue Volleyball’s latest trip to the NCAA’s Elite Eight in 2021; what it’s like ...
Sep 01, 2022•45 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Boilermakers who are part of the Purdue Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) student organization. Each year, Purdue students design and build custom race cars, then compete against hundreds of other universities from around the world, including teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Germany, as part of SAE’s Collegiate Design Series. In June 2022, the Purdue Formula team finished second overall at Michigan Intern...
Aug 18, 2022•22 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Linda Mason, the dean of Purdue’s Graduate School. Since Dean Mason took over in 2018, the Graduate School has experienced immense growth, including record-high numbers both in overall and international student enrollment. Listen as Dean Mason discusses how she and her team increased support and opportunities for Boilermaker graduate students, including adding more than 360 professional development workshops and the Graduate Parent Support Ne...
Aug 04, 2022•39 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Ronak Dave, a Purdue aeronautics and astronautics alum recently selected as a NASA flight director. Ronak will lead missions to the International Space Station and prepare for lunar missions for NASA’s Artemis program. Why is this a particularly special giant leap? There have only been 108 NASA flight directors since Christopher C. Kraft Jr., the namesake of the Mission Control Center, became the agency’s first flight director in 1958. Listen...
Jul 21, 2022•25 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast What’s it like to be a part of a winning Indianapolis 500 team? And even more, what’s it like to be the first woman IndyCar crew member to win this iconic race? In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re getting an update from Purdue mechanical engineering alumna and IndyCar engineer Angela Ashmore. On May 29, 2022, Marcus Ericsson won the most famous race in motorsports in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda, and Angela was a big piece of that winning strategy! Listen in as she de...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we're talking to Akin Ayodele, former Purdue football defensive end, co-captain of the 2001 Rose Bowl team and NFL linebacker. Akin, a Texas native, shares how former Purdue football head coach Joe Tiller’s tough love helped him develop the mental strength that shaped his success, both athletically and academically. You’ll also hear Akin discuss his professional football career, his friendship with former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and how his gratitude fo...
Jun 23, 2022•39 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to College of Liberal Arts alumnus Rusty Rueff, a philanthropist, investor and advisor. Listen in as Rusty discusses art’s crucial relationship to humanity, leading the company Electronic Arts through the video game industry boom, his role in President Barack Obama’s second presidential campaign and how his mother’s mantra, “tomorrow will go a lot better if you lay your clothes out the night before,” guided his life and career. Recognizing that ma...
Jun 09, 2022•43 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to IndyCar engineer Angela Ashmore. Angela, an engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda, is a lifelong motorsports fan. Her giant leap into professional racing came after relentless persistence and perseverance. Listen in as Angela discusses her experience with Purdue’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) student club, how the problem-solving techniques she learned at Purdue’s School of Mechanical Engineering help...
May 26, 2022•38 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to former Purdue football players Mike Phipps and Don Kiepert, who played on the iconic late 1960s team under Coach Jack Mollenkopf. This quarterback duo friendship started at Purdue, and the two have been best friends for more than 50 years. After graduating, Mike went on to play quarterback in the NFL for 12 years for the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, while Don had a successful career running multiple pharmaceutical companies. You’ll hear ...
May 12, 2022•39 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting the story of the Anthrop family, a Purdue Athletics legacy from West Lafayette, Indiana. If you’re a Purdue sports fan, you’ve probably heard the name Anthrop. Brothers Dru, Danny and Jackson Anthrop were all Boilermaker athletes, and their father, John, played both basketball and baseball for Purdue, and was on Purdue’s 1980 Final Four team. Listen in as the family shares highlights of what it was like growing up with Purdue essentially in t...
Apr 28, 2022•31 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of "This Is Purdue,” we’re diving into Purdue Day of Giving, an annual event to support Purdue's giant leap as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Every year on Purdue Day of Giving, thousands of alumni, donors and friends pay it forward – and show just how much the university has meant to them. Amber Turner, assistant vice president for broad-based campaigns and strategic engagement for the Purdue for Life Foundation, and Kate Pottschmidt, senior director of broad-...
Apr 14, 2022•39 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of "This Is Purdue," two couples share their love stories that began during their time at Purdue University. Randy and Linda Shields, co-chairs of President’s Council (part of the Purdue for Life Foundation), and Norm and Karen Blake, President’s Council members, are celebrating 45 and 56 years of marriage, respectively, after meeting at Purdue. You’ll hear why both couples continue to foster relationships and volunteer within the Boilermaker community and their generational stor...
Mar 31, 2022•45 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Purdue basketball icon Coach Gene Keady. It’s prime time for college basketball season and March Madness is officially here. What better way to celebrate than to listen to our episode with Coach Keady? You’ll hear the 25-year head coach of the Boilermakers men’s basketball team discuss Purdue’s balance of academics and athletics and why he loves watching his protégé, Matt Painter, coach. Plus, listen in to hear Coach Keady’s thoughts on the NCA...
Mar 17, 2022•18 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Scott Niswonger, founder and chair of the Niswonger Foundation, which was established to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee. After graduating from Purdue, Scott founded both Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, and is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude affiliate clinics in the world. Scott embodies Boilermaker spirit...
Mar 03, 2022•38 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Katie Gearlds, the first-year Purdue women’s basketball head coach. As an Indiana native and former Purdue player, Coach Gearlds describes what it feels like to have her dream job and how she recruits the right fits for the Purdue culture while striving to empower and influence the young women on her team. Coach Gearlds also discusses the incredible support system from the Purdue Athletics community and what it will take for the team to nab m...
Feb 17, 2022•27 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re celebrating Black Boilermaker excellence with stories from three Purdue University alumni who have made significant giant leaps. Amber Johnson (PhD computer science ’19), Sydney Simone (BA communication ’19), and Curtis Baylor (BSIE ’72) all have different backgrounds and different stories about why they chose Purdue. You’ll hear why this computer engineer, TV reporter and Army veteran value their experience on campus, and what they’re doing to continue t...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re featuring a Boilermaker whose innovations are changing and saving lives across the world. Philip Low, Purdue University’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, developed a recently FDA-approved drug called Cytalux, a fluorescent marker that allows cancer surgeons to quickly identify malignant cells and remove them during surgery. Listen in as Professor Low discusses how the drug works, why th...
Jan 20, 2022•37 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Amy Ross, NASA Space Suit Engineer and Purdue alumna. Listen in as Amy discusses her first big design project at NASA, working with her father (NASA astronaut and fellow Purdue alum Jerry Ross), and where she thinks the future of space exploration is headed. Plus, she touches on the importance of introducing students to STEM education early, women trailblazers in engineering and space, and the power of the Purdue community.
Jan 06, 2022•23 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating some of our most popular episodes of 2021 to ring in the new year! Listen in as we share clips from episodes with Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, men’s head basketball coach Matt Painter, the iconic Big Bass Drum crew and more. Plus, host Kate Young interviews several members of the Purdue Marketing and Communications team to hear the behind-the-scenes details from the prep work involved to what pieces of these special interviews ...
Dec 22, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast We’re raising our song anew. Purdue University presents “A Boilermaker Carol.” We love the days we’ve spent with you, Boilermakers. Special thanks to the following partners for their contributions: the students of Purdue Musical Organizations; vocal soloist Addison Schreiber; Jacob Stensberg and Dr. Suki Wong of Purdue Musical Organizations; Professor Barry Funderburg; the College of Liberal Arts; the Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance; the Purdue University Sound for the Performing Ar...
Dec 16, 2021•59 sec•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting Purdue super fans including comedian Joey Mulinaro, two young sisters who are aspiring to be part of Purdue’s All-American Twirling team one day, and even a Golden Retriever who is the canine embodiment of what it means to be a Boilermaker. Plus, you’ll hear how our podcast team helped pull off a surprise proposal at the Bell Tower during Purdue’s Homecoming. You don’t want to miss this spirited episode!
Dec 09, 2021•22 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re sharing a new update from our conversation with Xiulin Ruan, professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University. In an effort to curb global warming, Xiulin and his team created the whitest white acrylic paint - and now, it has earned a Guinness World Records title. The ultra-white paint, which reflects 98.1% of sunlight and deflects infrared heat, could dramatically reduce or even eliminate the need for air conditioning in some regions. Listen in a...
Nov 22, 2021•27 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jamie Richards (USN, retired) and Director of Purdue’s Veterans Success Center, Major General Theresa Carter (USAF, Retired) DBA, and Purdue University Trustee, and Ryann Laky, Deputy Joint Operations Center Officer in Charge, Indiana National Guard. You’ll hear more about how Purdue’s ROTC program prepared both Ryann and Theresa for their military careers, the Veterans Success Center's programs and resources for military-connected students, ...
Nov 11, 2021•59 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Purdue men’s basketball head coach Matt Painter. Listen in as coach Painter discusses recruiting the right fits for the Purdue culture, his special relationship with former Purdue basketball coach Gene Keady, and that 2019 NCAA Elite Eight game. Plus, coach Painter shares his thoughts on why Purdue University is the perfect place for him. With Purdue basketball ranked seventh nationally in the Associated Press preseason men’s basketball poll, t...
Oct 28, 2021•40 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re welcoming Dr. Jerome Adams, Purdue University’s first executive director of health equity initiatives and professor of practice in the departments of Pharmacy Practice and Public Health. Dr. Adams, the former Indiana state health commissioner and the 20th U.S. surgeon general, discusses his background, how he felt when he got the call to serve as the nation’s doctor, and dives into what health equity means. Listen in as he explains how he intends to hel...
Oct 14, 2021•39 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Jim Everett, former Purdue University and NFL quarterback, as he reflects on his football career. Listen in as Jim discusses the 1984 trifecta win against Michigan, Ohio State, and Notre Dame in the same season while leading the Boilermakers. Plus, we dig into Jim’s experience as a first-round NFL draft pick, his life after playing professionally, and his recent induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. You don’t want to miss this conve...
Sep 30, 2021•34 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting the legacy of Purdue University’s Big Bass Drum, also known as The World's Largest Drum™, part of the “All-American” Marching Band, for the past 100 years. Pamela Nave, Purdue Bands' percussion instructor and Associate Professor of Bands and Orchestras, joins us on the episode to discuss the AAMB community, Neil Armstrong’s support, and the iconic symbol of The World's Largest Drum™. You’ll also hear from the co-captains of the Big Bass Drum ...
Sep 16, 2021•27 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re going behind the scenes at Purdue’s largest Boiler Gold Rush event yet ahead of the start of the 2021 Fall Semester. Listen in as we chat with Craig Johnson, Director of Orientation Programs at Purdue, about how BGR – formerly known as CORN Camp - originated, and how the team continues to evolve this massive event year after year. Plus, we’re attending several events at BGR and talking to students experiencing BGR for the very first time. If you’re a Purd...
Sep 02, 2021•33 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of This Is Purdue, we sit down with Purdue University Head Football Coach Jeff Brohm. Listen in as we get to know Coach Brohm on a personal level as he discusses why football truly is ‘all in the family’ for him, with both of his brothers as part of his staff, along with his son as a fixture on the sidelines. Plus, we dig into the team’s goals for this season, their upcoming historic game at Wrigley Field, and what Coach Brohm finds most rewarding about leading these Boilermakers...
Aug 19, 2021•31 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast 
