In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Danny Milisavljevic, associate professor of physics and astronomy in Purdue University’s College of Science. This marks the third episode in our Purdue Research Series, which shares how Purdue provides practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. Danny’s love of space dates back to his days as a crayon-wielding kid writing up an elementary school report on the solar system. Combined with his research in school library encyclopedias...
Aug 17, 2023•46 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Tony-nominated actor and “Dune” star Stephen McKinley Henderson (MA theatre ’77). You may know Stephen from box-office hits and award-winning films like “Dune,” “Fences” and “Lincoln.” But did you know that he spent some of his formative years at Purdue? Listen as Stephen discusses what led him to Purdue – and how his time on campus propelled him to an esteemed career both on Broadway and in film. Stephen shares the story of how he met his wi...
Aug 03, 2023•30 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Amanda Deering and Haley Oliver from Purdue University’s Department of Food Science. This marks the second episode in our Purdue Research Series, which shares how Purdue provides practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. Amanda, associate professor of fresh produce food safety in Purdue’s College of Agriculture, and Haley, the 150th Anniversary Professor of Food Science and director of the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab fo...
Jul 20, 2023•55 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Susan Edgell, the daughter of Purdue University trailblazer Virginia Ferris. Virginia was the first woman appointed to the College of Agriculture faculty and had a significant influence on the department’s teaching, research and culture. She was also one of the world’s leading experts on the soybean cyst nematode. Susan shares stories about growing up in the Boilermaker community from her time at the Purdue nursery school to the memories she ...
Jul 06, 2023•19 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re featuring the first guest in our Purdue Research Series, Mark Lundstrom, Purdue University’s chief semiconductor officer. We’re sharing how Purdue provides practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges in this new series. As the United States strives to reclaim a leading role in the global semiconductor industry, Mark and other Boilermakers are acting to ensure our nation is prepared to meet the ever-growing demands for these essential componen...
Jun 22, 2023•30 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Tiffini Grimes (BA political science '05), Purdue University’s deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator. This Boilermaker alumna highlights her journey in collegiate athletics as she made her way from law school to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) to working in the athletics departments for universities like Penn State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Alabama and, finally, back...
Jun 08, 2023•41 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Matt Kuebel and Mike Koenigs, Team Penske IndyCar engineers and Purdue University alums. Listen as Matt (BS mechanical engineering ’22) and Mike (MS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’03) discuss their Purdue College of Engineering journeys and what it’s like working for one of the most well-known, legendary teams in motorsports. Matt, an IndyCar design engineer, and Mike, an IndyCar aerodynamicist, both work on all three Team Penske...
May 25, 2023•52 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” the podcast team is taking our listeners behind the scenes during the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research’s 15th annual Challenge 5K run/walk. More than 900 runners and walkers participated in this year’s Challenge, raising more than $100,000 for lifesaving cancer research. As one of only seven National Cancer Institute-designated Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers in the U.S., the Institute for Cancer Research generated more than 150 patents during the past de...
May 11, 2023•23 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re springing into football season with esteemed former Purdue football players Kevin Sumlin, Mark Herrmann and Pete Quinn, plus our new Purdue University head football coach, Ryan Walters. We caught up with these four special guests at John Purdue Club’s annual Mollenkopf-Keyes Golf Classic during President’s Council Weekend in Naples, Florida. Listen as Kevin, Mark and Pete share stories about being part of the historic teams through the 1970s and 1980s a...
Apr 27, 2023•33 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to twin sisters Almira “Sugar” Yllana (ChE '99) and Giovanna “Spice” Krozel (ChE '99). Nicknamed by their maternal grandfather at birth, these two Purdue chemical engineering alums have taken the Boilermaker community by storm. From the Purdue for Life Foundation to the John Purdue Club to the Purdue Women’s Network Chicago Chapter, Sugar and Spice have a legacy of university involvement and think of their Purdue connections as one big family. Y...
Apr 13, 2023•35 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the president of Pizza Hut U.S., David Graves. That’s right, the president of one of America’s largest pizza chains is a Boilermaker who graduated from Purdue University’s business school, newly named after President Emeritus Mitch Daniels. Listen as David (BS management ’03) describes how Purdue prepared him with the persistence and perseverance needed to innovate global brands such as Pampers, Pantene and several Yum! Brands, includ...
Mar 30, 2023•38 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating this historic Purdue men’s basketball season with Ginny Smith, freshman starting guard Braden Smith’s mom, and Gary and Lotus Furst, sophomore starting forward Caleb Furst’s parents. Join us for this special kickoff-to-March Madness episode as Ginny, Gary and Lotus discuss when they first noticed their sons’ basketball talent, their favorite memories from the past season (hint: kicking off the season at the Phil Knight Invitational is on the...
Mar 16, 2023•47 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Boilermaker and former D.C. Air National Guard fighter pilot Heather Penney. Listen as Heather (BA English ’95, MA American studies ’97) shares her incredible story from 9/11, when she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice with her flight lead, Marc Sasseville. She reflects on the events of that historic day, from being selected to complete the mission to stop the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 to being grounded after hours ...
Mar 02, 2023•46 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re sharing a new update from our conversation with Boilermaker innovator Philip Low. Professor Low, Purdue University’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, helped develop Cytalux, a fluorescent marker that allows cancer surgeons to quickly identify malignant cells and remove them during surgery. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in November 2021 for ovarian cancer, and in De...
Feb 17, 2023•40 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to successful entrepreneur Kendra Bracken-Ferguson (BA communication ‘02), founder and CEO of BrainTrust. Listen as Kendra describes the early days of social media, blogging and influencing, and how she used platforms like Myspace to transform top-tier global brands. You’ll hear about Kendra’s journey as Ralph Lauren’s first director of digital media and why she eventually left to start her entrepreneurial career. Kendra also dives into how her ...
Feb 02, 2023•51 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the 13th president of Purdue University, Mung Chiang. Listen in as President Chiang discusses the day he learned he would become president of what he calls “the most consequential public university in the U.S.” He also shares stories of Boilermaker persistence and humility and why the college experience should be both transformative and fun. Plus, he shares more about his family life (the Chiangs will be the first Purdue family to liv...
Jan 12, 2023•48 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating even more popular episodes from 2022. Part 2 of our “Greatest Hits of 2022” episode focuses on the academic side of Purdue University. Listen as these Boilermakers — from an IndyCar, Indy 500-winning engineer to a NASA flight director to a new Purdue Board of Trustees member — share their small steps and giant leaps. You’ll hear from Purdue alums Rusty Rueff, Angela Ashmore, Ronak Dave, Shawn Taylor and Phil Cook as they share moments from t...
Dec 22, 2022•45 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re ringing in the new year with some of our most popular episodes from 2022. Part 1 of our two-part “Greatest Hits of 2022” episode focuses on the incredible Boilermaker athletics guests we’ve had on the podcast during the past year. Listen in as we share highlights from episodes with women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds; the iconic Gene Keady; Purdue athletics’ legacy family, the Anthrops; former Boilermaker quarterbacks and best friends Mike Phipps and...
Dec 08, 2022•36 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to five members of the Purdue Global community as they celebrate the impact Purdue Global has had on their careers and lives. The podcast team went behind the scenes at the Purdue Global Black and Gold Reception to hear from both alumni and faculty on why they chose Purdue Global and their advice to anyone considering furthering their education online. Listen as recent Purdue Global graduates Kelvin Gumbs and Sherry McQueary and Purdue Global de...
Nov 21, 2022•46 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former Purdue University and NFL quarterback Kyle Orton. Listen as Kyle (BA history '14) discusses how former coach Joe Tiller and quarterback Drew Brees inspired him to choose Purdue, the anticipation and doubt he felt during the 2005 NFL draft, and how Purdue prepared him for life after football. Plus, you don’t want to miss the story behind why this devoted husband, father and son was determined to finish his degree at Purdue after retirin...
Nov 10, 2022•22 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to chemistry teacher and TikTok superstar Phil Cook. Listen as Phil (BS chemistry education '00, MS education '13) discusses his passion for education, his rise in Internet fame after just one TikTok video and why he believes Purdue is the best place for science and engineering. Join the podcast team on a field trip to Culver Academies, where Phil teaches, for a firsthand look at his viral Halloween experiments, including an exploding pumpkin, l...
Oct 27, 2022•37 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the new Purdue University Police Department (PUPD) Chief Lesley Wiete. Listen as Chief Wiete discusses her transition from attending Purdue as an undergraduate student to working for the PUPD for the past 23 years and her experience as a female leader in a male-dominated field like law enforcement. Hear more about Chief Wiete’s goals and what it means to her to be a Boilermaker – and you don’t want to miss the story about how she met her husb...
Oct 20, 2022•30 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Frank Dooley, chancellor of Purdue Global. Purdue Global is Purdue’s accredited and affordable online solution designed for the working adult with life experience, and often some college credit – but no degree. Chancellor Dooley’s experiences have prepared him to lead Purdue Global and oversee academics for more than 36,000 students. Listen as Chancellor Dooley shares impactful stories from graduates that fuel the enthusiasm for his work and ...
Sep 29, 2022•35 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast 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 
