In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Scott Niswonger, founder and chair of the Niswonger Foundation, which was established to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee. 

After graduating from Purdue, Scott founded both Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, and is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude affiliate clinics in the world. 

Scott embodies Boilermaker spirit and innovation — whether it's creating jobs and employing more than 9,000 people in a rural area of Tennessee or changing high school students’ lives with the Niswonger Foundation. 

Listen in to hear how Purdue’s unique flight curriculum propelled Scott to where he is now. Plus, you don’t want to miss his stories on why giving back and investing in his community has been rewarding beyond measure. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Katie Gearlds, the first-year Purdue women’s basketball head coach. 

As an Indiana native and former Purdue player, Coach Gearlds describes what it feels like to have her dream job and how she recruits the right fits for the Purdue culture while striving to empower and influence the young women on her team. 

Coach Gearlds also discusses the incredible support system from the Purdue Athletics community and what it will take for the team to nab more Big Ten Championship titles in the coming seasons. 

Plus, we have some fun talking about her extensive shoe collection, featuring — you guessed it — plenty of gold and black shoes. If you love Purdue, you’ll love this conversation! 

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re celebrating Black Boilermaker excellence with stories from three Purdue University alumni who have made significant giant leaps. 

Amber Johnson (PhD computer science ’19), Sydney Simone (BA communication ’19), and Curtis Baylor (BSIE ’72) all have different backgrounds and different stories about why they chose Purdue. You’ll hear why this computer engineer, TV reporter and Army veteran value their experience on campus, and what they’re doing to continue to support and grow the Black community at Purdue. 

Plus, these three alumni share what Black History Month means to them. 

You’ll want to hear their guidance on getting involved with Purdue’s Black Cultural Center, the importance of volunteering, reaching out to the Black community and more. Listen in! 

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re featuring a Boilermaker whose innovations are changing and saving lives across the world.  

Philip Low, Purdue University’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, developed a recently FDA-approved drug called Cytalux, a fluorescent marker that allows cancer surgeons to quickly identify malignant cells and remove them during surgery.  

Listen in as Professor Low discusses how the drug works, why the team started using this drug on ovarian cancer patients first, and what attracted him to innovation at Purdue University. (Hint: He’s been a Boilermaker since birth!) 

On this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Amy Ross, NASA Space Suit Engineer and Purdue alumna.  

Listen in as Amy discusses her first big design project at NASA, working with her father (NASA astronaut and fellow Purdue alum Jerry Ross), and where she thinks the future of space exploration is headed. 

Plus, she touches on the importance of introducing students to STEM education early, women trailblazers in engineering and space, and the power of the Purdue community.  

On this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating some of our most popular episodes of 2021 to ring in the new year! 

Listen in as we share clips from episodes with Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, men’s head basketball coach Matt Painter, the iconic Big Bass Drum crew and more. 

Plus, host Kate Young interviews several members of the Purdue Marketing and Communications team to hear the behind-the-scenes details from the prep work involved to what pieces of these special interviews resonated most with them.  

It’s a great episode to celebrate the podcast’s growth this year as we continue to tell the stories of Boilermakers taking giant leaps.  

We’re raising our song anew. Purdue University presents “A Boilermaker Carol.”

We love the days we’ve spent with you, Boilermakers. Special thanks to the following partners for their contributions: the students of Purdue Musical Organizations; vocal soloist Addison Schreiber; Jacob Stensberg and Dr. Suki Wong of Purdue Musical Organizations; Professor Barry Funderburg; the College of Liberal Arts; the Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance; the Purdue University Sound for the Performing Arts program.

Purdue wishes you a warm and happy holiday season. Boiler up!

“A Boilermaker Carol” © 2021, Trustees of Purdue University

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting Purdue super fans including comedian Joey Mulinaro, two young sisters who are aspiring to be part of Purdue’s All-American Twirling team one day, and even a Golden Retriever who is the canine embodiment of what it means to be a Boilermaker.  

Plus, you’ll hear how our podcast team helped pull off a surprise proposal at the Bell Tower during Purdue’s Homecoming.  

You don’t want to miss this spirited episode! 

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re sharing a new update from our conversation with Xiulin Ruan, professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University.   

In an effort to curb global warming, Xiulin and his team created the whitest white acrylic paint - and now, it has earned a Guinness World Records title.  

The ultra-white paint, which reflects 98.1% of sunlight and deflects infrared heat, could dramatically reduce or even eliminate the need for air conditioning in some regions. 

Listen in as we share more details about one of This Is Purdue’s most popular episodes to date! 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jamie Richards (USN, retired) and Director of Purdue’s Veterans Success Center, Major General Theresa Carter (USAF, Retired) DBA, and Purdue University Trustee, and Ryann Laky, Deputy Joint Operations Center Officer in Charge, Indiana National Guard.  

You’ll hear more about how Purdue’s ROTC program prepared both Ryann and Theresa for their military careers, the Veterans Success Center's programs and resources for military-connected students, and the Student Veteran Organization, which serves as a source of knowledge, support, representation and camaraderie. 

Plus, these three Purdue veterans share what Veterans Day means to them.