Welcome
The Purdue Club of Chicago is the oldest and largest of Purdue University’s Alumni Clubs. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the educational mission and presence of Purdue in the Chicago metropolitan area. Many of our efforts focus on providing scholarship opportunities for Purdue students, promoting Purdue University and supporting the 60,000 alumni that live in Chicagoland.
The Purdue Club of Chicago is rich in history and service to Purdue Alumni. Our organization started in 1890. The Purdue Club of Chicago and Indiana Chicago Club created the tradition of the Old Oaken Bucket. This bucket continues to serve as a trophy in the annual rival football game between Purdue University and Indiana University.
Events are planned throughout the year to bring Chicago-area alumni together. Popular annual events include a Blackhawks game in a private box, game-watching parties at local bars, our annual Freshmen Send-Off Picnic, participating in Big Ten Night at US Cellular Field and Wrigley Field.
The Purdue Club of Chicago also competes with the Indiana Alumni Club in Chicago in an annual blood drive competition and supports the Youth Sports Alliance’s Field day with all 14 Big Ten Schools. These are just a few ways that the Purdue Club of Chicago gives back to its community.
Each year, The Purdue Club of Chicago awards a scholarship to a selected incoming freshmen. Efforts are made throughout the year to raise money to help fund our annual scholarship. We strive to increase both the dollar amount and number of scholarships that we can award each year.
Ultimately, the Purdue Club of Chicago is about continuing the Purdue experience for alumni and financially assisting future Boilermakers through our scholarship fund. Your enthusiasm for Purdue doesn’t need to end at graduation.
Scholarship
The Purdue Club of Chicago (PCC) is the oldest and largest of Purdue University’s Alumni Clubs and is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Purdue presence in the Chicago metropolitan area. PCC awards an annual scholarship to an incoming freshman from the Chicago area to help offset the costs of out-of-state tuition.
The scholarship is primarily merit based, but need is considered in the overall evaluation. PCC strives to award deserving recipients who are well-rounded, and who the Scholarship Committee believes will succeed at Purdue while embracing its traditions and spirit.
Applicants must reside in the Chicago area (Illinois only). To receive a scholarship award, the student must accept admission to Purdue University for the Fall 2023 semester and enroll as a full-time student for Fall 2023.
After the initial applications are received and reviewed, eligible candidates will be notified via email and may be asked to provide additional information in support of their applications; the deadline for submission of additional information will be mid-to-late March.
The Scholarship Committee may also request an online or in-person interview; applicants will be notified via email if an interview is needed or if additional information is requested. We hope to hear from you soon! Hail Purdue!
Applications are due by March 1 and will be awarded on or before April 15 for the upcoming academic year.
Questions?
Contact our scholarship committee at scholarship@puchicago.org.
Scholarship Award
The amount of the freshman scholarship award has not yet been determined. Scholarship monies are tendered by the Purdue Bursar’s Office (50% of the award each semester).
A freshman scholarship award may be renewable for up to 50% of the initial reward for the next three consecutive years provided the recipient is enrolled full-time at Purdue and continuously remains eligible. Renewability is subject to the recipient meeting the eligibility criteria set forth in the PCC Endowment, providing additional information to the Scholarship Committee and approval of any award by the Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship winners may be profiled by PCC or Purdue Alumni Association in its publications. The winner will also be recognized at PCC’s Annual Meeting and other events.
Endowment
Purdue Alumni Club of Chicago established an Endowment with the Purdue Alumni Association to further its scholarship goals.
Engaging and organizing Purdue’s Chicagoland-based alumni is something the Purdue Club of Chicago (PCC) has been doing for 130 years. As the first and one of the largest Purdue Alumni clubs in the country, the Purdue Club of Chicago seeks to connect the ever increasing population of Chicagoland Purdue alumni and celebrate our Boilermaker spirit!
A major priority of PCC includes funding scholarships for Chicagoland residents that attend Purdue. Last year, we were able to award a $6,000 scholarship to a Chicagoland resident and current student. Through our various fundraising efforts, we were also able to contribute $14,500 to the PCC endowment at Purdue. Our ultimate goal is to grow PCC’s endowment to a level where we can award a scholarship to a Chicagoland resident equal to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Three Ways to Contribute to the Purdue Club of Chicago
- Contribution Online with Purdue, by Clicking Here
- Download And Complete The Donation Form, By Clicking Here
- Donate to Purdue Club of Chicago Scholarship via PayPal, By Clicking Here
Did you Know that the Purdue Club of Chicago is a Qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization organized for the purpose of providing educational scholarships? Not only does that mean that contributions made directly to PCC may be tax deductible, it also means that contributions can be made to PCC through other charitable organizations, such as United Way.
Many Individuals support United Way as part of their workplace giving campaigns. While PCC is not a United Way agency, donors can designate PCC on their United Way pledge form. As always your support allows us to provide scholarships to Chicagoland students attending Purdue University.
If you have any questions regarding contributing to PCC or designating us on your United Way election form, feel free to contact our treasurer.
Thank you in advance for your continued commitment to support the efforts of the Purdue Club of Chicago so that we may continue making a difference in our Chicagoland Boilermaker community.
Contact Us
Michelle Wellman
president@puchicago.org
630-886-3386
Purdue for Life Foundation
alumniclubs@purdueforlife.org