Today is not just any graduation but the commencement at a special place called Purdue, with a history that is rich and distinct and an accelerating momentum of excellence at scale.
July 12, 2023
Today is not just any graduation but the commencement at a special place called Purdue, with a history that is rich and distinct and an accelerating momentum of excellence at scale.
As Purdue’s graduates set out to change the world, they do so ever grateful for the generosity of alumni and friends.
Mary Kay and Lee Sommers understand the importance of education, both as students and teachers, and feel that “education is critical if we want to ensure that our country maintains a strong, productive society.”
David Merrick (AAS’82, T’83) and April Cheung (AAS’95, T’96, MS T’04), a Purdue assistant professor, have a long history of giving back to their community, including volunteer work with the American Red Cross.
Inspired by the kindness and generosity of Boilermakers before him, proud alumnus Tom Moore (LA’65, HDR LA’95) supports Purdue students who are passionate about the arts through his estate plan.
With experience in software programming and coding, Francisco Rius (M’04, MBA’07) looked to grow his understanding of business and technology in college. After moving to the U.S. from Mexico City, Mexico, he enrolled at Purdue, where he adjusted to Indiana’s colder winters while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Joy Matson grew up in a 900-square-foot house in a small Illinois town of 90 people. Wearing hand-me-down clothes, Matson attended school in a three-room schoolhouse—her class was the largest with 12 students.
The Hoffman family is passionate about Purdue. Mike is a 1981 College of Science graduate, and his wife Cindy is a proud Purdue parent and Boilermaker fan. Their two children, Kara and Christopher, both met their spouses while studying in West Lafayette and all four are now Purdue graduates.
Purdue’s next big move will honor a celebrated president who led transformative change during his tenure, as plans for the state-of-the-art Mitch Daniels School of
Ron Wormser isn’t a Purdue graduate, but his first-generation father, aunt, and uncle were. Discover how Ron’s family arrived and flourished in America—and how he has decided to honor them by paying it forward to future Boilermakers.