This Is Purdue

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to chemistry teacher and TikTok superstar Phil Cook. 

Listen as Phil (BS chemistry education '00, MS education '13) discusses his passion for education, his rise in Internet fame after just one TikTok video and why he believes Purdue is the best place for science and engineering. 

Join the podcast team on a field trip to Culver Academies, where Phil teaches, for a firsthand look at his viral Halloween experiments, including an exploding pumpkin, liquid nitrogen marshmallows and flaming candy corn.

Tune in (and be sure to watch our video content on Purdue’s YouTube channel) as Phil presents his special “Chem-o-ween" tricks and treats.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the new Purdue University Police Department (PUPD) Chief Lesley Wiete.

Listen as Chief Wiete discusses her transition from attending Purdue as an undergraduate student to working for the PUPD for the past 23 years and her experience as a female leader in a male-dominated field like law enforcement.

Hear more about Chief Wiete’s goals and what it means to her to be a Boilermaker – and you don’t want to miss the story about how she met her husband, West Lafayette Police Department Lt. Stason Wiete. (It involves the beloved Purdue staple, Harry’s Chocolate Shop.)

Plus, you’ll hear Chief’s full speech during her official swearing-in ceremony. This episode is full of appreciation for the Purdue community and encapsulates the spirit of Chief Wiete’s dedication to serving it. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Frank Dooley, chancellor of Purdue Global.  

Purdue Global is Purdue’s accredited and affordable online solution designed for the working adult with life experience, and often some college credit – but no degree. Chancellor Dooley’s experiences have prepared him to lead Purdue Global and oversee academics for more than 36,000 students.  

Listen as Chancellor Dooley shares impactful stories from graduates that fuel the enthusiasm for his work and inspire him to keep expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds. 

Plus, he explains Purdue Global’s mission and the ways it promotes Purdue University’s values and goals. If you’re interested in the remarkable rise of online learning, you don’t want to miss this episode! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Shawn Taylor (Management’82), a successful entrepreneur and the newest member of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. 

Listen as Shawn describes his childhood growing up on the south side of Chicago, his experience as a first-generation college graduate and the impact Purdue’s very own Dr. Cornell A. Bell, the former director/chairman of the Business Opportunity Program, had on his life both pre- and post-college.  

Plus, you’ll hear about Shawn’s next giant leap as a Purdue trustee and his advice for developing relationships with people who are authentic, real and honest – and why it’s key for your career.  

This emotional and motivating episode showcases true Boilermaker persistence and spirit!  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dave Shondell, Purdue University’s Art and Connie Euler Women’s Volleyball Head Coach. 

From growing up immersed in volleyball with his dad and brothers, to leading teams at the high school and collegiate levels, Coach Shondell shares more about his passion for the sport and how it feels to coach athletes like Olympic gold medalist Annie Drews.  

He also discusses Purdue Volleyball’s latest trip to the NCAA’s Elite Eight in 2021; what it’s like to work alongside his brother, associate head coach John Shondell; and what Boilermaker traits and training take his teams to victory again and again and again. 

Listen as this two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year shares his hopes for the future, including more media coverage of women’s sports and, yes, more wins for the Purdue team! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Boilermakers who are part of the Purdue Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) student organization. 

Each year, Purdue students design and build custom race cars, then compete against hundreds of other universities from around the world, including teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Germany, as part of SAE’s Collegiate Design Series. 

In June 2022, the Purdue Formula team finished second overall at Michigan International Speedway, their best finish in 30 years! 

Listen as Purdue Formula team members Helen Rumsey (ME’24), Dominic Nocon (ME’22) and Arpit Agarwal (AAE’23) describe how this student organization provides hands-on experience to create innovative car designs and tests engineering skills with real-world problems. 

Plus, as the podcast team goes behind the scenes, you'll hear the excitement surrounding the students' first live unveiling of their custom-built cars. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Linda Mason, the dean of Purdue’s Graduate School. 

Since Dean Mason took over in 2018, the Graduate School has experienced immense growth, including record-high numbers both in overall and international student enrollment. 

Listen as Dean Mason discusses how she and her team increased support and opportunities for Boilermaker graduate students, including adding more than 360 professional development workshops and the Graduate Parent Support Network. 

Our graduate students are behind so much of the innovation and discovery coming out of a research-intensive land-grant institution like Purdue, from the battery in your phone to the things you eat to the paint in your home. Listen today! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Ronak Dave, a Purdue aeronautics and astronautics alum recently selected as a NASA flight director. Ronak will lead missions to the International Space Station and prepare for lunar missions for NASA’s Artemis program. 

Why is this a particularly special giant leap? There have only been 108 NASA flight directors since Christopher C. Kraft Jr., the namesake of the Mission Control Center, became the agency’s first flight director in 1958. 

Listen as Ronak discusses why Purdue’s close ties to NASA drew this New Jersey native to West Lafayette. He also dives into his persistent pursuit to achieve his dreams of becoming a flight director and shares what he thinks about the future of space exploration.  

This Boilermaker is at the forefront of everything humans do in space. You don’t want to miss this episode!  

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What’s it like to be a part of a winning Indianapolis 500 team? And even more, what’s it like to be the first woman IndyCar crew member to win this iconic race? 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re getting an update from Purdue mechanical engineering alumna and IndyCar engineer Angela Ashmore. On May 29, 2022, Marcus Ericsson won the most famous race in motorsports in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Huski Chocolate Honda, and Angela was a big piece of that winning strategy!  

Listen in as she describes her experience in Victory Lane, the Boilermaker support she encountered before and after the big race and how it feels to make history as the first woman IndyCar crew member to win the Indy 500.  

Plus, in case you missed it, you can hear our original interview with Angela as she discussed her Purdue journey and what she hoped her next giant leap would be. (Spoiler alert: That giant leap was achieved!)  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we're talking to Akin Ayodele, former Purdue football defensive end, co-captain of the 2001 Rose Bowl team and NFL linebacker.  

Akin, a Texas native, shares how former Purdue football head coach Joe Tiller’s tough love helped him develop the mental strength that shaped his success, both athletically and academically. 

You’ll also hear Akin discuss his professional football career, his friendship with former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and how his gratitude for the scholarship assistance he received at Purdue compelled him to establish Dreambuilders Foundation. This nonprofit works with athletes across America to help children in need receive the items, opportunities and support they need to achieve their dreams. 

Akin’s inspiring story of perseverance exemplifies the Boilermaker spirit. 

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