This Is Purdue

In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the president of Pizza Hut U.S., David Graves. 

That’s right, the president of one of America’s largest pizza chains is a Boilermaker who graduated from Purdue University’s business school, newly named after President Emeritus Mitch Daniels. 

Listen as David (BS management ’03) describes how Purdue prepared him with the persistence and perseverance needed to innovate global brands such as Pampers, Pantene and several Yum! Brands, including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut. 

You’ll hear about some of David’s favorite advertising and marketing initiatives over the years, including working with actor Craig Robinson of “The Office” and using Pizza Hut’s brand nostalgia to bring its marketing into today’s modern age. 

Plus, David shares some of his favorite memories at Purdue – including how he met his wife – and his love for Purdue Athletics. And you don’t want to miss hearing our podcast team go behind the scenes in a Pizza Hut kitchen to make his go-to pizza order.  

This episode shares the success story of a Boilermaker who celebrates Purdue’s innovation, excellence and community.  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating this historic Purdue men’s basketball season with Ginny Smith, freshman starting guard Braden Smith’s mom, and Gary and Lotus Furst, sophomore starting forward Caleb Furst’s parents.  

Join us for this special kickoff-to-March Madness episode as Ginny, Gary and Lotus discuss when they first noticed their sons’ basketball talent, their favorite memories from the past season (hint: kicking off the season at the Phil Knight Invitational is on the list) and what coach Matt Painter’s leadership means to them.  

Plus, we go behind the scenes with the person behind the tweets, news releases, statistics and more. Chris Forman, Purdue men’s basketball associate strategic communications director, discusses what it’s like leading communications efforts for a top-ranked, elite basketball program and how he grew the popular Boiler Ball social media channels over the past decade.  

This team has persistence, grit and spirit. As we celebrate their achievements this season, don't miss this episode to get a taste of a day in the life of a Purdue basketball parent. 

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In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Boilermaker and former D.C. Air National Guard fighter pilot Heather Penney.  

Listen as Heather (BA English ’95, MA American studies ’97) shares her incredible story from 9/11, when she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice with her flight lead, Marc Sasseville. She reflects on the events of that historic day, from being selected to complete the mission to stop the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 to being grounded after hours of time in the air to how she feels about that day now, more than 20 years later. 

Heather also expresses her gratitude for her time at Purdue, where her passion for flying blossomed further, and shares more about her experience training to become one of the nation’s first female fighter pilots. 

Goosebumps. That's what you can expect from our episode featuring this brave and relentless Boilermaker. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re sharing a new update from our conversation with Boilermaker innovator Philip Low.

Professor Low, Purdue University’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, helped develop Cytalux, a fluorescent marker that allows cancer surgeons to quickly identify malignant cells and remove them during surgery. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in November 2021 for ovarian cancer, and in December 2022, the FDA approved Cytalux to help doctors during lung cancer surgery as well. 

Based on foundational intellectual property developed at Purdue University and commercialized by On Target Laboratories, this newly authorized use of Cytalux has the potential to improve the outcomes of thousands of patients, helping surgeons to visualize otherwise undetected cancer tissue in 24% of lung cancer patients in a clinical trial. 

In this episode, professor Low discusses how the drug works, why the team started using it for ovarian cancer patients first, and what attracted him to innovation at Purdue University. Listen as we share more details about one of the most popular “This Is Purdue” episodes to date. 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to successful entrepreneur Kendra Bracken-Ferguson (BA communication ‘02), founder and CEO of BrainTrust.

Listen as Kendra describes the early days of social media, blogging and influencing, and how she used platforms like Myspace to transform top-tier global brands. You’ll hear about Kendra’s journey as Ralph Lauren’s first director of digital media and why she eventually left to start her entrepreneurial career.  

Kendra also dives into how her time at Purdue – between taking the field as part of the Purdue Golduster Dance Team to working at the Black Cultural Center to interning with the Indiana Pacers – shaped her into the woman she is today.  

This Boilermaker uses her platform to support Black-owned beauty and wellness brands, and she’s partnered with superstar actress Halle Berry on her health and wellness company, rē•spin. 

This dynamic interview highlights a Purdue alumna who is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and innovating new ways to use technology.  

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In this special episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to the 13th president of Purdue University, Mung Chiang. 

Listen in as President Chiang discusses the day he learned he would become president of what he calls “the most consequential public university in the U.S.” He also shares stories of Boilermaker persistence and humility and why the college experience should be both transformative and fun.

Plus, he shares more about his family life (the Chiangs will be the first Purdue family to live in Westwood Manor with young children), hobbies, and the best spot in West Lafayette to grab his favorite sweet treat – ice cream.

President Chiang, who officially became Purdue’s president on Jan. 1, 2023, is also the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. 

You don’t want to miss this chance to get to know Purdue’s new president on a more personal level! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re celebrating even more popular episodes from 2022. 

Part 2 of our “Greatest Hits of 2022” episode focuses on the academic side of Purdue University. Listen as these Boilermakers — from an IndyCar, Indy 500-winning engineer to a NASA flight director to a new Purdue Board of Trustees member — share their small steps and giant leaps.  

You’ll hear from Purdue alums Rusty Rueff, Angela Ashmore, Ronak Dave, Shawn Taylor and Phil Cook as they share moments from their Purdue journeys and exciting career achievements. 

Ring in the new year with this celebratory episode! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re ringing in the new year with some of our most popular episodes from 2022.  

Part 1 of our two-part “Greatest Hits of 2022” episode focuses on the incredible Boilermaker athletics guests we’ve had on the podcast during the past year. 

Listen in as we share highlights from episodes with women’s basketball coach Katie Gearlds; the iconic Gene Keady; Purdue athletics’ legacy family, the Anthrops; former Boilermaker quarterbacks and best friends Mike Phipps and Don Kiepert; and women’s volleyball coach Dave Shondell. 

We’ll dig into the Purdue spirit, community and traditions and why each and every one of these guests are proud Boilermakers.

You don’t want to miss this spirited episode!  

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to five members of the Purdue Global community as they celebrate the impact Purdue Global has had on their careers and lives. 

The podcast team went behind the scenes at the Purdue Global Black and Gold Reception to hear from both alumni and faculty on why they chose Purdue Global and their advice to anyone considering furthering their education online. 

Listen as recent Purdue Global graduates Kelvin Gumbs and Sherry McQueary and Purdue Global deans Melissa Burdi and Jeffery Buck discuss the impact Purdue Global makes on adult learners and the immense pride they feel celebrating this graduation with loved ones. Plus, you’ll hear special family stories from proud Boilermaker Viveca Stock on how her son got involved in the Purdue community through Purdue Global.

Each of these special guests have their own perspective on the persistence it takes to succeed in higher education.

You don’t want to miss this episode full of gratitude and pride for the Purdue Global community! 

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In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former Purdue University and NFL quarterback Kyle Orton.

Listen as Kyle (BA history '14) discusses how former coach Joe Tiller and quarterback Drew Brees inspired him to choose Purdue, the anticipation and doubt he felt during the 2005 NFL draft, and how Purdue prepared him for life after football. 

Plus, you don’t want to miss the story behind why this devoted husband, father and son was determined to finish his degree at Purdue after retiring from the NFL.  

Kyle's persistence both on and off the field is a true example of what it means to be a Boilermaker.  

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