This Is Purdue

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting the legacy of Purdue University’s Big Bass Drum, also known as The World's Largest Drum™, part of the “All-American” Marching Band, for the past 100 years.  

Pamela Nave, Purdue Bands' percussion instructor and Associate Professor of Bands and Orchestras, joins us on the episode to discuss the AAMB community, Neil Armstrong’s support, and the iconic symbol of The World's Largest Drum™.  

You’ll also hear from the co-captains of the Big Bass Drum Crew, Brandon Bledsoe and Hannah Pike, on what it takes – both physically and intellectually – to become part of this prestigious crew at Purdue.  

Plus, host Kate Young goes behind the scenes at Band Camp and even runs through a few tricks with the crew and the 565-pound drum! It’s only on This Is Purdue, the official university podcast.  

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In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re going behind the scenes at Purdue’s largest Boiler Gold Rush event yet ahead of the start of the 2021 Fall Semester. 

Listen in as we chat with Craig Johnson, Director of Orientation Programs at Purdue, about how BGR – formerly known as CORN Camp - originated, and how the team continues to evolve this massive event year after year. 

Plus, we’re attending several events at BGR and talking to students experiencing BGR for the very first time.  

If you’re a Purdue alumni, you’re sure to feel some nostalgia during this episode!  

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In this episode of This Is Purdue, we sit down with Purdue University Head Football Coach Jeff Brohm. 

Listen in as we get to know Coach Brohm on a personal level as he discusses why football truly is ‘all in the family’ for him, with both of his brothers as part of his staff, along with his son as a fixture on the sidelines.  

Plus, we dig into the team’s goals for this season, their upcoming historic game at Wrigley Field, and what Coach Brohm finds most rewarding about leading these Boilermakers. 

And what Purdue tradition is Coach’s favorite? (Hint: It involves snow!) All of this and more on This Is Purdue, the official university podcast. 

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In this special edition of This Is Purdue, we’re featuring our journey to find and award the 10 Boilermakers who entered the Old Golden Ticket Vaccination Drawing.  

Students who submitted valid proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 15 were randomly selected to win the ‘Golden Ticket’ - $9,992 - the equivalent of a year’s undergraduate tuition cost for an in-state Boilermaker since 2013. 

Listen in as the Purdue University Marketing and Communications team highlights the behind-the-scenes details of pulling off these ultimate surprises from finding students on campus to crossing state lines to getting the parents in on the celebration. You don’t want to miss this episode!  

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In this episode of This Is Purdue, David Boudia, the most decorated Purdue University Diving Olympian, joins us.

David shares his gold medal-winning journey, and how adversity has helped shape him into the athlete and person he is today.

He also discusses his role in the HBO Sports documentary The Weight of Gold, which explores the mental health challenges that Olympic athletes often face. Hear why David says depression doesn’t discriminate, and why it was important for elite athletes to help shine a light on this.

Plus, two Boilermakers will be representing Purdue and USA Diving in Tokyo, and we talk to Brandon Loschiavo, Purdue alum and first-time Olympian, about how he feels to represent the university on this worldwide stage.

And what is the next step in David’s career? Find out on This Is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University.

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In this episode of This Is Purdue, professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, Xiulin Ruan, discusses his newest invention – ultra-white paint. 

In an effort to curb global warming, Xiulin and his team created the whitest white acrylic paint, which reflects 98.1 percent of sunlight and deflects infrared heat, allowing buildings to cool below the surrounding air temperature. 

Listen in as Xiulin shares his surprise at the amount of attention the invention received, not only in the science and engineering world, but also in the art space. Plus, he breaks down how this paint can help people save money on their electric bills.  

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In this episode of This Is Purdue, two of Purdue University’s commencement leaders join us to discuss Purdue’s first outdoor commencement ceremony at Ross-Ade Stadium.  

Purdue has been hosting commencement at the iconic Elliott Hall of Music since the 1940s. But – like a lot of things in 2020 – COVID-19 changed that.   

Lesa Beals, senior associate registrar, and Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar, share highlights from the 2021 Spring commencement, Purdue’s first in-person ceremony since the pandemic. 

Hear how they teamed up with other Big Ten universities to pull off a ceremony five times larger than what they normally did at Elliott, and how they prepared for things out of their control (AKA Indiana weather)! 

Plus, listen in to hear Purdue University President Mitch Daniels’ full 2021 Spring commencement speech.  

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In this episode of Purdue University’s official podcast, This is Purdue, we’re joined by a very special guest.   

Listen in as Purdue University President Mitch Daniels discusses his decision to fully open the University amidst a pandemic and communicate this to the world back in 2020. Plus, President Daniels talks about what he missed most during the past school year, what he’s looking forward to this Fall (Hint: It involves Purdue Athletics), and his favorite IndyCar driver.  

You don't want to miss this episode!  

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In this episode of This is Purdue, Shatoya Ward, founding principal at Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) Englewood in Indianapolis, discusses how PPHS is reinventing the traditional high school experience, and her excitement for the school’s first graduating class of seniors.  

PPHS – now with three locations – was created to build new K-12 pathways that lead to Purdue, especially for Indiana students who are underserved by traditional high schools and underrepresented in higher education.  

You'll also hear from Kayla Owens, senior at PPHS and future Boilermaker. Listen in! 

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Data touches everything. But unlocking its full potential requires a data-fluent generation. Enter The Data Mine, a living-learning community uniting students, faculty, researchers and industry leaders to take the next giant leap in data science at Purdue University. 

In this episode of This is Purdue, Mark Daniel Ward, director of The Data Mine and a professor of statistics, explains how this initiative was created, the importance of it being a learning-by-doing model, and how the team plans to bring data science to every corner of the state with the Indiana Data Mine.

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