Richard Stroupe (DTECH’23) knows learning is a lifelong pursuit, which inspired his return to school to earn his doctorate after 25 years building his career and leading two software companies.
At the same time, his son, Trey (M’25), enrolled as an undergraduate and joined Purdue’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (AFROTC) program.
“Experiencing the university together, from two very different stages of life, gave us a shared appreciation for the culture, tradition, academic rigor, and Boilermaker spirit that define Purdue,” Richard says. Trey found a strong sense of discipline, belonging, and pride in the AFROTC, shaped in large part by program commander Col. Joseph McKenna.
“From the moment Trey joined, McKenna became a mentor, coach, and steady presence in his life,” Richard says. “He pushed cadets to meet the highest standards and took the time to know them personally. Trey didn’t just receive military training—he gained life lessons in resilience, humility, and servant leadership that will guide him far beyond his Space Force career.”
Richard describes McKenna as someone who leads by example, blending accountability with mentorship to mold principled, adaptable leaders—qualities he sees reflected in his son. Richard believes service is rooted in humility and commitment, and that true leadership is measured by how we empower others and strengthen our communities. For him, that means showing up, following through, and leaving things better than we found them—principles McKenna modeled every day.
When McKenna announced his retirement after 26 years of service in the Air Force, the Stroupe family created the Col. Joseph W. McKenna AFROTC Endowment Fund to honor his legacy. The fund provides financial support to Purdue AFROTC cadets, easing their burden so they can fully focus on becoming exceptional military leaders.
“I want McKenna to know how deeply he has impacted not just Trey, but our entire family,” Richard says. “His leadership helped shape the man and officer Trey is becoming, and that influence will echo throughout his life. This fund is more than a financial gift—it’s a way to ensure McKenna’s legacy continues long after he’s left campus. Every cadet who benefits from it will, in some way, be touched by his example.”
Richard believes everyone has the power to create lasting impact, whether through giving, service, or community engagement.
“None of us reaches our goals entirely on our own,” Richard says. “We’ve all benefited from mentors, opportunities, and institutions that invested in us. Giving back is how we honor those investments. It’s a way to ensure that the doors once opened for us remain open—or open even wider—for those who come after.”
—Nicolle DeWitt
