This Is Purdue

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‘Dune’ Star, Tony Nominee Stephen McKinley Henderson Reflects on Purdue Theatre Education Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

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 wife at Purdue and how theatre faculty members Jim O’Connor and Joe Stockdale, along with Tony Zamora, director of the Black Cultural Center, served as key mentors and shaped his acting career path.

You’ll hear more about what Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts means to Stephen, some of his favorite roles throughout the years and the unique challenges of performing in front of a camera instead of a live audience.

Plus, Stephen shares what it’s like working with renowned Oscar-nominated actors Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler, and you’ll get a sneak peek of what’s in store for “Dune” fans in the upcoming “Dune: Part Two” blockbuster sci-fi movie.

*Note: This interview with Stephen was recorded before the SAG-AGTRA Strike.*

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Purdue Research Series | A Look Into Food Safety, Security and Sustainability With Amanda Deering and Haley Oliver Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

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 for Food Safety, dive into a challenge facing the entire world: food safety, security and sustainability.

Contrary to what some may believe, their work in food science involves very little cooking. Amanda and Haley are addressing urgent questions about food production in a changing climate and a growing global population that hit 8 billion in November 2022.

On any given day, these two researchers may be working alongside researchers from Cornell University in the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety or partnering with women in Afghanistan or Indigenous communities in Peru. As a land-grant institution, Purdue is uniquely positioned to address questions of food production and safety by working hand in hand with farmers across Indiana — and the globe.

Tune in to learn more about their partnerships with organizations large and small, changing attitudes on sustainability, the importance of gender representation in food production and how research done in the heart of Indiana is helping feed the world.

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Susan Edgell Discusses How Her Mother, Virginia Ferris, Became the First Woman Appointed to Purdue Agriculture Faculty Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

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 has of traveling for her parents’ nematode research.

She reflects on her mother’s journey navigating higher education as a woman in the 1950s, a time when academics were centered around the success of men, plus discusses her mom’s self-taught DNA research and the joy she had for mentoring Purdue students.

Listen as Susan shares her mother’s advice for women in male-dominated fields and how Virginia’s legacy of persistence helped pave the way for a new generation of women and diversity in STEM.

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Purdue Research Series | A Look Into Semiconductors With Mark Lundstrom Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

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 components in virtually all of our electronic devices.

Mark dives into what semiconductors are, why they’re important and how Purdue is working hand in hand with semiconductor industry leaders to train the next generation of workers.

This isn’t a new role for the university. Mark explains Purdue’s storied history in semiconductor innovation, from alumnus Mohamed Atalla creating today’s most commonly used transistor back in 1959 to technology developed in Purdue’s Birck Nanotechnology Center that can be found in every Tesla car.

Tune in to learn about Purdue’s pivotal role in the development of semiconductor technology and why Mark describes this as a “Sputnik moment.”

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Deputy Athletics Director Tiffini Grimes Discusses the Spirit of Purdue Athletics and Proud Return to Her Alma Mater Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

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 home to Purdue.

Tiffini, who was named in Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2022 and The Athletic’s College Sports 40 Under 40, shares her favorite memories from her time at Purdue, including cheering on the Boilermaker football team and interning for the John Purdue Club.

She also shares the deep pride she feels in pursuing her next giant leap at her alma mater and what it’s like helping Purdue’s talented student athletes have the best experience possible, both on and off the field.

Don’t miss this special episode with this Boilermaker alumna who exemplifies that special Purdue pride and spirit.

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IndyCar Engineers, Purdue Alums Talk Team Penske Legacy and Indy 500 May 25, 2023

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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 IndyCar entries – driven by Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin – that will be racing in the 2023 Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

They discuss the persistence, grit and attention to detail required to be part of a winning Indy 500 team and how their Purdue education set them up for success in the professional motorsports world. As Matt tells us, “The race starts at noon on Sunday. If you’re not ready, the race still starts at noon on Sunday.”

Celebrate the month of May with these two proud Boilermaker alums.

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Purdue Institute for Cancer Research Raises $100,000 in Annual Challenge 5K May 11, 2023

Show notes

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 decade, and its members have over 40 drugs in various stages of development. More than 110 researchers across Purdue University share ideas, insights and findings to drive cancer research, with a shared goal of creating a world without cancer.

Listen as we talk to The Challenge’s 2023 guests of honor, Tony and Kelly Trent, parents of the late Tyler Trent, a 20-year-old Purdue student from Carmel, Indiana, who passed away from a rare form of bone cancer in 2019.

Tony and Kelly share more about what the word “persistence” means to their family – and what it meant to Tyler – and why the research the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research conducts is so important in providing hope to cancer patients and survivors.

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Spring Into Purdue Football With Legends Kevin Sumlin, Mark Herrmann and Pete Quinn, Plus Coach Ryan Walters Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

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 and express their gratitude for the Purdue lessons, memories and relationships that have become integral parts of their lives.

You’ll also hear from Coach Walters on what it feels like as he and his family join this Boilermaker community and which games he is most looking forward to this upcoming season.

This episode is a celebration of the Purdue community through the eyes of some incredible Boilermaker athletes.

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Twin Sisters, Chemical Engineering Alums ‘Sugar and Spice’ Discuss the Power of the Purdue Community Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

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.

You’ll hear Sugar and Spice discuss the impact their Purdue education has had on their lives and why staying connected, being involved and giving back to the Boilermaker community is so important to them.

Listen as they share laughter and tears – and even finish one another's sentences – in this special, spirited episode. Sugar and Spice's twin bond, as well as their bond with the Purdue community, is the real deal!

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From Purdue to President of Pizza Hut: In-Depth With David Graves Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

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, including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut.

You’ll hear about some of David’s favorite advertising and marketing initiatives over the years, including working with actor Craig Robinson of “The Office” and using Pizza Hut’s brand nostalgia to bring its marketing into today’s modern age.

Plus, David shares some of his favorite memories at Purdue – including how he met his wife – and his love for Purdue Athletics. And you don’t want to miss hearing our podcast team go behind the scenes in a Pizza Hut kitchen to make his go-to pizza order.

This episode shares the success story of a Boilermaker who celebrates Purdue’s innovation, excellence and community.

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