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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 time at Purdue – between taking the field as part of the Purdue Golduster Dance Team to working at the Black Cultural Center to interning with the Indiana Pacers – shaped her into the woman she is today.   This Boilermaker uses her platform to support Black-owned beauty and wellness brands, and she’s partnered with superstar actress Halle Berry on her health and wellness company, rē•spin.  This dynamic interview highlights a Purdue alumna who is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and innovating new ways to use technology.

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 live in Westwood Manor with young children), hobbies, and the best spot in West Lafayette to grab his favorite sweet treat – ice cream. President Chiang, who officially became Purdue’s president on Jan. 1, 2023, is also the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  You don’t want to miss this chance to get to know Purdue’s new president on a more personal level!

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 their Purdue journeys and exciting career achievements.  Ring in the new year with this celebratory episode!

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 Don Kiepert; and women’s volleyball coach Dave Shondell.  We’ll dig into the Purdue spirit, community and traditions and why each and every one of these guests are proud Boilermakers. You don’t want to miss this spirited episode!

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 deans Melissa Burdi and Jeffery Buck discuss the impact Purdue Global makes on adult learners and the immense pride they feel celebrating this graduation with loved ones. Plus, you’ll hear special family stories from proud Boilermaker Viveca Stock on how her son got involved in the Purdue community through Purdue Global. Each of these special guests have their own perspective on the persistence it takes to succeed in higher education. You don’t want to miss this episode full of gratitude and pride for the Purdue Global community!

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 retiring from the NFL.   Kyle's persistence both on and off the field is a true example of what it means to be a Boilermaker.

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, liquid nitrogen marshmallows and flaming candy corn. Tune in (and be sure to watch our video content on Purdue’s YouTube channel) as Phil presents his special “Chem-o-ween" tricks and treats.

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 husband, West Lafayette Police Department Lt. Stason Wiete. (It involves the beloved Purdue staple, Harry’s Chocolate Shop.) Plus, you’ll hear Chief’s full speech during her official swearing-in ceremony. This episode is full of appreciation for the Purdue community and encapsulates the spirit of Chief Wiete’s dedication to serving it.

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 inspire him to keep expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds.  Plus, he explains Purdue Global’s mission and the ways it promotes Purdue University’s values and goals. If you’re interested in the remarkable rise of online learning, you don’t want to miss this episode!

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 Shawn’s next giant leap as a Purdue trustee and his advice for developing relationships with people who are authentic, real and honest – and why it’s key for your career.   This emotional and motivating episode showcases true Boilermaker persistence and spirit!

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 to work alongside his brother, associate head coach John Shondell; and what Boilermaker traits and training take his teams to victory again and again and again.  Listen as this two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year shares his hopes for the future, including more media coverage of women’s sports and, yes, more wins for the Purdue team!

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 International Speedway, their best finish in 30 years!  Listen as Purdue Formula team members Helen Rumsey (ME’24), Dominic Nocon (ME’22) and Arpit Agarwal (AAE’23) describe how this student organization provides hands-on experience to create innovative car designs and tests engineering skills with real-world problems.  Plus, as the podcast team goes behind the scenes, you'll hear the excitement surrounding the students' first live unveiling of their custom-built cars.

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 Network.  Our graduate students are behind so much of the innovation and discovery coming out of a research-intensive land-grant institution like Purdue, from the battery in your phone to the things you eat to the paint in your home. Listen today!  Learn more about Purdue University’s Graduate School.  Learn more about Purdue Graduate School Dean Linda Mason.

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 as Ronak discusses why Purdue’s close ties to NASA drew this New Jersey native to West Lafayette. He also dives into his persistent pursuit to achieve his dreams of becoming a flight director and shares what he thinks about the future of space exploration.   This Boilermaker is at the forefront of everything humans do in space. You don’t want to miss this episode!

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 describes her experience in Victory Lane, the Boilermaker support she encountered before and after the big race and how it feels to make history as the first woman IndyCar crew member to win the Indy 500.   Plus, in case you missed it, you can hear our original interview with Angela as she discussed her Purdue journey and what she hoped her next giant leap would be. (Spoiler alert: That giant leap was achieved!)

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 for the scholarship assistance he received at Purdue compelled him to establish Dreambuilders Foundation. This nonprofit works with athletes across America to help children in need receive the items, opportunities and support they need to achieve their dreams.  Akin’s inspiring story of perseverance exemplifies the Boilermaker spirit.

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 many of his own life’s fortunes stem from relationships, experiences and opportunities born out of Purdue, Rusty also discusses why he feels compelled to give back to the University and what the Boilermaker community means to him.   You don’t want to miss this episode!

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 helped propel her career and a shift from working in NASCAR to IndyCar.   Also, hear why Marcus Ericsson, IndyCar driver for CGR's No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda, believes Angela serves as a role model for other women in STEM and the professional motorsports world.   As for Angela’s next giant leap? She’s aiming for an Indianapolis 500 win!

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 Mike and Don share stories about loyalty, persistence and the legacy behind Boilermaker football legend Leroy Keyes.   Come for the behind-the-scenes history of the 1967 Big Ten championship team, stay for stories only decades of Boilermaker friendship can provide.

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 their backyard, traveling to away games and how they balanced academics and athletics.   Plus, hear from Jana Anthrop (also known as Mama Anthrop) on what the Purdue community and Boilermaker spirit has meant to their family throughout the years.   You don’t want to miss this special legacy episode!