Purdue University, a public land-grant research institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana, serves as the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. Its establishment in 1869 was made possible by Lafayette businessman John Purdue's generous donation of land and funds, with the intention of creating a college dedicated to science, technology, and agriculture. The university commenced its academic journey with the first classes being held on September 16, 1874.
1905: Black Athlete Participates in Purdue Track Team
In 1905, a Black man participated in Purdue University's track team, marking a significant step towards inclusivity in the university's athletics program.
1918: Armory Building Rebuilt
After a fire in 1918, the Armory Building at Purdue University was rebuilt. This building houses the university's ROTC programs along with other clubs.
1920: Early Days of W9YB
The Amateur Radio Club at Purdue, known as W9YB since 1932, dates back to 1920 under a previous callsign.
April 4, 1922: WBAA Radio Station Launch
WBAA, the longest continuously operating radio station in Indiana, received its license on April 4, 1922.
1925: Largest Undergraduate Engineering Enrollment
By 1925, Purdue University achieved the largest undergraduate engineering enrollment in the United States, a position it maintained for the following half-century.
1925: First Old Oaken Bucket Game
The first Old Oaken Bucket game between Purdue and Indiana University resulted in a 0-0 tie in 1925.
1929: Undefeated Season for Purdue Football
Purdue's football team achieved an undefeated season in 1929, going 8-0.
1932: Retroactive National Championship Recognition
Purdue's men's basketball team was retroactively designated the 1932 national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll.
1932: Another Undefeated Season for Purdue Football
Purdue's football team achieved another undefeated season in 1932, with a record of 7-0-1.
1932: W9YB Callsign Adoption
The Amateur Radio Club at Purdue University adopted the callsign W9YB in 1932.
1935: Amelia Earhart Joins Purdue Faculty
In 1935, Amelia Earhart joined the faculty at Purdue University as a consultant for their flight courses and a counselor for women on career choices.
1936: Purdue Research Foundation Funds Earhart's Flight
The Purdue Research Foundation provided funds in 1936 for the Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft that Amelia Earhart used during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
1937: Purdue Football Classified as Major College
In 1937, Purdue's football team was classified as a Major College school.
1943: Undefeated Season for Purdue Football
Purdue's football team achieved a perfect 9-0 record in 1943.
1946: Integration of Women's Dormitories
In 1946, the governor of Indiana issued an order to integrate the women's dormitories at Purdue University, ending the segregation that had previously prevented Black women from living on campus.
1947: Desegregation of On-Campus Housing
On-campus housing at Purdue University became racially desegregated in 1947.
1947: Student Protest Leads to Desegregation of Sports Teams
In 1947, a student protest at Purdue University led to the desegregation of sports teams, which had been segregated for a period in the 1910s. This event marked a significant victory for equality and inclusion in the university's athletic programs.
1953: Formation of the School of Science, Education, and Humanities
In 1953, Purdue University formed the School of Science, Education, and Humanities, marking a significant step in organizing its academic programs.
1957: Córdova Recreational Sports Center Opens
The Córdova Recreational Sports Center at Purdue University, built in 1957, holds the distinction of being the first building in the nation designed exclusively for university student recreational purposes.
1958: First Purdue Grand Prix
The first Purdue Grand Prix, a 50-mile go-kart race, was held in 1958 to raise money for student scholarships.
1959: Start of Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Although the formal establishment of a dedicated humanities school came later, Purdue University began conferring Bachelor of Arts degrees as early as 1959.
1960: First Bachelor of Arts Degrees Awarded
In 1960, Purdue University awarded its first Bachelor of Arts degrees, marking a significant expansion in the university's academic offerings.
1961: Opening of Purdue Research Park
The Purdue Research Park opened in 1961. Developed by the Purdue Research Foundation, this park aimed to foster collaboration between Purdue researchers and private businesses, particularly in fields like life sciences, homeland security, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.
1961: University Hall Remodeled
University Hall, the sole remaining structure from Purdue University's original six-building campus, underwent remodeling in 1961. After the remodel, it housed the history department and classrooms for the School of Liberal Arts.
1963: Establishment of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education
Building on its commitment to the humanities, Purdue University established the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education in 1963, providing a more structured academic home for these disciplines.
1968: Helen Williams Becomes First Black Faculty Member
In 1968, Helen Williams made history by becoming the first Black faculty member at Purdue University, marking a pivotal moment in the university's journey toward diversity and inclusion.
1969: Official Inauguration of Purdue Seal
Purdue University officially inaugurated its official seal in 1969, during the university's centennial celebration.
1969: NCAA Championship Runner-Up
Purdue's men's basketball team finished as the runner-up in the 1969 NCAA Championship, losing to UCLA coached by legendary former Purdue player John Wooden.
1972: End of Major College Classification
Purdue's classification as a Major College school ended in 1972.
1973: Purdue Football Becomes Division I
Purdue's football team received Division I classification in 1973.
1975: Purdue Joins ARPANET
Purdue University became a part of ARPANET in 1975, an early packet-switching network that laid the groundwork for the modern internet.
1978: Purdue Football Elevated to Division I-A
Purdue's football program was elevated to Division I-A in 1978.
1987: Ronald Reagan's Visit to Purdue
In 1987, U.S. President Ronald Reagan visited Purdue University's West Lafayette campus and delivered a speech on the impact of technological advancements on job creation.
1989: Creation of the School of Liberal Arts
To provide a more focused academic structure, Purdue University created the School of Liberal Arts in 1989, encompassing arts, humanities, and social sciences programs. At the same time, education programs were separated into the newly established School of Education.
1994: Reuben J. Olembo Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Reuben J. Olembo, a geneticist and environmentalist who became the deputy executive director of UNEP and a UN Assistant Secretary-General, was recognized by Purdue in 1994 with a Distinguished Alumni Award for Agriculture.
1994: Launch of Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL)
In 1994, Purdue University's English department launched the Online Writing Lab (OWL). This website quickly became a popular resource for students and educators, providing guidance on grammar, punctuation, and style.
1995: Pilot Exploratory Studies Program
In 1995, Purdue University initiated a pilot program for Exploratory Studies. This program aimed to assist undergraduate students who had not yet declared a major in exploring academic options.
1996: Nina Roscher Receives ACS Award
In 1996, Nina Roscher, a physical organic chemist and advocate for women and minorities in science, received the ACS Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences.
1997: Invention of Cricket Spitting
The sport of cricket spitting was invented at Purdue University's Spring Fest in 1997.
1998: Nina Roscher Receives Presidential Award
In 1998, Nina Roscher received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
1999: Exploratory Studies Program Made Permanent
Due to its success, the Exploratory Studies program at Purdue University was made permanent in 1999, providing continued support for undecided undergraduate students.
1999: Creation of the Movie Tribute Show
The Movie Tribute Show was created in a small television studio on the Purdue campus in 1999.
1999: Purdue Women's Basketball Wins NCAA Championship
The Purdue women's basketball team won the NCAA Championship in 1999.
2001: Purdue Women's Basketball as NCAA Runner-Up
The Purdue women's basketball team was the runner-up in the 2001 NCAA Championship.
2004: Purdue Research Park Ranked First
In 2004, the Purdue Research Park earned the top ranking from the Association of University Research Parks, a testament to its success in fostering innovation and economic development.
2004: Dedication of Discovery Park Research Center
The initial buildings of the Discovery Park interdisciplinary research center were dedicated in 2004 at Purdue University.
2005: Renaming to College of Liberal Arts
In recognition of its growing stature and comprehensive offerings, Purdue University renamed the School of Liberal Arts to the College of Liberal Arts in 2005.
2005: Matt Painter Becomes Head Coach
Matt Painter, a former Boilermaker basketball player, became the head coach of Purdue's men's basketball team in 2005.
2006: Purdue Football Transitions to FBS
Purdue's football program transitioned from Division I-A to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2006.
November 2007: Purdue Ranked Fourth Best Place to Work in Academia
In November 2007, Purdue University was ranked the fourth best place to work in academia by The Scientist magazine, highlighting its supportive and stimulating work environment.
2007: Growth of Purdue Faculty
By Fall 2007, Purdue's faculty had grown to 2,563 tenured and tenure-track positions across the Purdue Statewide System.
2008: Ryan Newman Wins Daytona 500
In 2008, Purdue graduate Ryan Newman, who earned a bachelor's degree in vehicle structure engineering, won the Daytona 500.
2008: End of Purdue Debris Yearbook
Purdue University's yearbook, the Debris, ceased publication in 2008 after 119 years.
2009: Record Research Funding
Purdue University achieved a record $438 million in sponsored research funding during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, demonstrating its strong research capabilities and attracting significant support from organizations like the National Science Foundation, NASA, and various US departments.
2010: Establishment of the College of Health and Human Sciences
The College of Health and Human Sciences, the newest college at Purdue University, was established in 2010. This college offers a range of degrees, including Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, across its nine academic units.
2010: Formation of the College of Health and Human Sciences
Purdue University established the College of Health and Human Sciences in 2010. This new college consolidated existing academic units, including the School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, and College of Consumer and Family Sciences.
2010: Bloomberg Reveals Purdue's High Number of CEO Alumni
In 2010, Bloomberg revealed that Purdue University had one of the highest numbers of undergraduate alumni serving as chief executive officers of S&P 500 firms.
2011: 19 Purdue Alumni on Super Bowl Winning Teams
By 2011, a total of 19 Purdue alumni had been part of Super Bowl-winning teams.
2011: First LEED Certified Building
Purdue University achieved a significant milestone in sustainability in the fall of 2011 with the completion of an addition to the Mechanical Engineering Building, which became the university's first LEED Certified building.
2012: Herman Cain Runs for President
Herman Cain, a Purdue alumnus, was a candidate for President of the United States in 2012.
2012: High International Student Enrollment
In 2012, Purdue University welcomed a large international student population, with 8,562 students from 126 countries enriching the campus community.
2013: Diversity Statistics Reported
In 2013, Purdue University reported statistics reflecting the racial and gender diversity of its student body. The undergraduate population comprised 5.7% Asian, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.0% Black or African American students, with 42.6% being female. Notably, non-Indiana residents constituted a significant majority (75%) of graduate and professional students.
2013: Dedication of Alexander Field
Purdue's baseball facility was named Alexander Field in honor of alumni Anna Margaret Ross Alexander and John Arthur Alexander in 2013.
April 27, 2017: Purdue Acquires Kaplan University
Purdue University announced its plan to acquire Kaplan University, a for-profit college, on April 27, 2017, with the goal of converting it into a public university in Indiana. This acquisition aimed to serve adult learners and was subject to multiple approval processes. The acquired institution now operates as Purdue University Global.
2017: Fourth in Engineering Research Expenditures
In 2017, Purdue University secured its position as fourth in engineering research expenditures among all US colleges, with a research expenditure budget of $244.8 million, underscoring its commitment to advancing engineering knowledge and innovation.
December 2018: Launch of Purdue Online
Purdue University launched Purdue Online in December 2018. This unified online education initiative, approved by President Mitch Daniels and the Board of Trustees, aimed to significantly expand the university's online program offerings. It serves as a central hub for students seeking to manage their administrative accounts and access a wide array of online courses and degree programs.
2020: Purdue OWL Partners with Chegg
In 2020, Purdue OWL partnered with Chegg, a company that offers AI-generated homework help. This partnership sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that Chegg's services promote plagiarism.
2020: Purdue for Life Foundation is Created
In 2020, the Purdue for Life Foundation was established by merging the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office. The foundation is located in the Dauch Alumni Center.
2020: National Merit Scholarship Program Sponsorship
Purdue University sponsored 88 Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program in 2020.
2021: National Merit Scholars in Freshman Class
In the 2020–2021 academic year, Purdue University had 127 freshman students who were recognized as National Merit Scholars.
2021: Test-Optional Admissions Implemented
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Purdue University adopted test-optional admissions for the incoming Fall 2021 class, a policy that has been extended through Fall 2023.
2022: U.S. News & World Report Selectivity Classification
The 2022 U.S. News & World Report categorized Purdue University-West Lafayette as "more selective" in its annual ranking.
2022: Sale of WBAA to WFYI-FM
Despite public disapproval, Purdue University sold WBAA radio station to WFYI-FM in 2022.
2022: High Rankings from U.S. News & World Report
In 2022, Purdue University received several high rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The university was ranked as the 7th most innovative national university and tied for 18th best public university in the US. Notably, Purdue's undergraduate engineering program tied for 9th among schools whose highest degree is a doctorate.
2023: Purdue Wins Big Ten Championships
Purdue's men's basketball team won both the Big Ten Conference Championship and the Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2023.
2023: Test-Optional Admissions Extended
Purdue University extended its test-optional admissions policy through Fall 2023.
January 2024: Current Status of the Old Oaken Bucket Rivalry
As of January 2024, Purdue leads the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry against Indiana University with a record of 77-42-6.
2024: U.S. News & World Report Ranking
Purdue University is ranked 43rd in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report annual ranking.