Alumni Party
Thank you for joining us online for the February Alumni Party. Dr. Córdova and Purdue Alumni Association Executive Director and CEO Kirk Cerny enjoyed answering questions during the event, and those received via e-mail. Below are some of the questions and answers discussed.
Chris Clark
BA 1973, MS 1974
BA 1973, MS 1974
asks...
What strategies will you employ to make Purdue one of the elite research universities? This is a difficult challenge because the bar continues to move. Purdue appears to continue to fall short of other top state universities like Berkeley and Michigan and private schools like Stanford and MIT. 
First, we must increase research. With all recent advances, Purdue still ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten in research. We will focus on large-scale interdisciplinary research, and our new $375 million Discovery Park is ideally positioned to help us accomplish our goals.
We need more research partnerships with other universities, industry and national laboratories. Again, the excellent facilities at Discovery Park offer wonderful opportunities to bring visiting researchers to our campus.
Second, we must improve our graduation rate, student success. Although our graduation rate is at record levels, too many students who begin their careers are leaving for a variety of reasons. We need additional programs focused on retention.
Third, we need to increase the number of Purdue faculty who are admitted to prestigious academies. We need to nominate our outstanding faculty for awards that will recognize their accomplishments.
Fourth, we need to market our university strategically so people throughout the nation and world understand the transformation that is taking place here.
Successful fund raising is a key to all of this and a key to being recognized among the top universities.
In addition to our national rankings, Purdue aspires to be a global university and already is receiving strong international recognition.
All of this will be part of our Strategic Plans for the next six years. Close ^
We need more research partnerships with other universities, industry and national laboratories. Again, the excellent facilities at Discovery Park offer wonderful opportunities to bring visiting researchers to our campus.
Second, we must improve our graduation rate, student success. Although our graduation rate is at record levels, too many students who begin their careers are leaving for a variety of reasons. We need additional programs focused on retention.
Third, we need to increase the number of Purdue faculty who are admitted to prestigious academies. We need to nominate our outstanding faculty for awards that will recognize their accomplishments.
Fourth, we need to market our university strategically so people throughout the nation and world understand the transformation that is taking place here.
Successful fund raising is a key to all of this and a key to being recognized among the top universities.
In addition to our national rankings, Purdue aspires to be a global university and already is receiving strong international recognition.
All of this will be part of our Strategic Plans for the next six years. Close ^
Karen M. Siciliano
BA 1983
Go Boilers!
BA 1983
asks...
Purdue is known for its engineering prowess and its alumni in space. Krannert School of Management made a name for itself. We have formed noteworthy alliances with government and industry via the schools of agriculture and science. As a liberal arts alum, I'm curious what steps you will take to bring the humanities into focus. Go Boilers!
I received my undergraduate degree from Stanford in English and fully understand the importance of Liberal Arts to our university, community and society. Liberal Arts is the largest college at Purdue and it will play a vital role in our future.
We have a great deal to be proud about in Purdue Liberal Arts. The Department of English has online writing lab called OWL that has had nearly 100 million hits, We have a highly ranked speech and hearing program. Liberal Arts outreach in our community is doing important work with Latinos who are newly arrived in our community.
The Liberal Arts faculty is involved in research at Discovery Park, and three 2007 Murphy Award winners for top teachers came from this college. I also hope you have seen history Professor Randy Roberts on the History Channel.
Synergies between the liberal arts, social sciences, engineering and science is one of eight focuses of our Strategic Plans, and a working group is just this week finishing a white paper on how this can be accomplished. This is an exciting time for Purdue Liberal Arts. Close ^
We have a great deal to be proud about in Purdue Liberal Arts. The Department of English has online writing lab called OWL that has had nearly 100 million hits, We have a highly ranked speech and hearing program. Liberal Arts outreach in our community is doing important work with Latinos who are newly arrived in our community.
The Liberal Arts faculty is involved in research at Discovery Park, and three 2007 Murphy Award winners for top teachers came from this college. I also hope you have seen history Professor Randy Roberts on the History Channel.
Synergies between the liberal arts, social sciences, engineering and science is one of eight focuses of our Strategic Plans, and a working group is just this week finishing a white paper on how this can be accomplished. This is an exciting time for Purdue Liberal Arts. Close ^
Steve L. Thompson
BSEE 1977
BSEE 1977
asks...
We live in Wisconsin. I'm a Purdue alumnus and my daughter is currently a freshman at Purdue. In Wisconsin we have a reciprocity agreement with U of Minnesota. I've always felt that all states with a Big Ten school should have a mutual reciprocity agreement between them. Has this ever been discussed or promoted?
Reciprocity is an issue for state legislatures that support the 10 public Big Ten universities. Tuition and fees at Big Ten schools vary widely. This year the cost for an in-state student attending Penn State is $13,520 compared with $7,154 at Purdue.
Costs also vary by program. For example, Purdue engineering, management, aviation technology, Pharmacy-D and veterinary medicine have special add-on fees. All of this makes reciprocity very complicated. The basic thinking behind resident and non-resident costs is that non-residents pay the full tuition and fees while resident students only pay fees. The tuition comes from the state. Legislatures pay tax revenues to their institutions to support students (taxpayers) from their state.
Reciprocity is a good idea in theory and it is been used in some states with common borders but has not been attempted regionally and is not on the Big Ten agenda. Close ^
Costs also vary by program. For example, Purdue engineering, management, aviation technology, Pharmacy-D and veterinary medicine have special add-on fees. All of this makes reciprocity very complicated. The basic thinking behind resident and non-resident costs is that non-residents pay the full tuition and fees while resident students only pay fees. The tuition comes from the state. Legislatures pay tax revenues to their institutions to support students (taxpayers) from their state.
Reciprocity is a good idea in theory and it is been used in some states with common borders but has not been attempted regionally and is not on the Big Ten agenda. Close ^
Brad Hintz
BS 1971
BS 1971
asks...
According to US News & World Report, Purdue is the least selective school in the Big Ten, admitting a greater percentage of applicants than any other university in the conference. A large demographic bubble of college-eligible applicants in the United States is allowing most universities to increase their selectivity. 1) Why are Purdue application trends different than the other large land grant universities? 2) Is Purdue’s open admissions policy a conscious decision of the university administration?
Purdue is receiving a record number of applications, more than 26,000 for the upcoming freshman class. The increase in the number of applications universities receive today is the result of individual students' application to multiple institutions — more than ever before. In the years ahead, we actually expect to see a decrease in the number of college-eligible individuals.
There is tremendous competition among universities for top students, and we are working hard and instituting new programs to increase the number of admitted students who actually enroll at Purdue in the fall.
Purdue admits students directly to individual colleges and schools. This process goes on from later summer until March, when most of our programs are filled. We use a holistic admission approach, taking everything about the student into consideration, including strength of high school, advanced placement course and extracurricular activities. Close ^
There is tremendous competition among universities for top students, and we are working hard and instituting new programs to increase the number of admitted students who actually enroll at Purdue in the fall.
Purdue admits students directly to individual colleges and schools. This process goes on from later summer until March, when most of our programs are filled. We use a holistic admission approach, taking everything about the student into consideration, including strength of high school, advanced placement course and extracurricular activities. Close ^
Alistair D. B. Cook.
Resident Political Scientist,
Queen’s College,
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3052, Australia
Resident Political Scientist,
Queen’s College,
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3052, Australia
asks...
I am based in Australia. I was one of many international students studying for my masters at Purdue. I would like to know what active steps are being taken to build on the international dimension of Purdue. Specifically, what institutional links are being made with universities overseas?
We have many international institutional links, especially in India and China. But as we pursue our goal of becoming a global university, we must increase these partnerships. In addition to partnerships with international universities, we need to increase our work with international corporations and use our research in international projects.
We have an ongoing Asian initiative at Purdue that is focused on this along with increase our international enrollment, which already ranks third in the nation among all public and private universities. Close ^
We have an ongoing Asian initiative at Purdue that is focused on this along with increase our international enrollment, which already ranks third in the nation among all public and private universities. Close ^
David A. Wingert
BS Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering 1979
BS Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering 1979
asks...
What is Purdue doing to help engineering undergraduate students be successful in their studies?
We do a lot! Our goal at Purdue in all of our schools and colleges is not just to enroll students. It is to graduate them, and we have special efforts focused on helping students in the demanding engineering disciplines.
Purdue has special efforts such as Minority in Engineering and Women in Engineering programs focused on unique needs of our students. We have also created the First-Year Engineering Program. It is the entry point for all beginning engineering students. The program is a student-oriented, service program with a mission to recruit, advise, teach, and retain outstanding students for Purdue's College of Engineering.
All engineering students at Purdue must complete the first-year engineering requirements before entering the engineering school of their choice. This core curriculum includes courses in math, chemistry, physics, computer programming and communication skills, as well as an introductory engineering lecture series.
The First-Year Engineering Program provides students with a firm foundation and initial understanding of engineering and career options to assist them in identifying which of Purdue's engineering disciplines is the right fit. We have professional academic advisors, faculty, and student advisors dedicated to assisting beginning engineers with the first-year experience.
The First-Year Engineering Program is also home to the First-Year Engineering Honors Program for academically talented and highly motivated students.
We also help engineering students learn how to use their skills to help others through our EPICS program — Engineering Projects in Community Service. Close ^
Purdue has special efforts such as Minority in Engineering and Women in Engineering programs focused on unique needs of our students. We have also created the First-Year Engineering Program. It is the entry point for all beginning engineering students. The program is a student-oriented, service program with a mission to recruit, advise, teach, and retain outstanding students for Purdue's College of Engineering.
All engineering students at Purdue must complete the first-year engineering requirements before entering the engineering school of their choice. This core curriculum includes courses in math, chemistry, physics, computer programming and communication skills, as well as an introductory engineering lecture series.
The First-Year Engineering Program provides students with a firm foundation and initial understanding of engineering and career options to assist them in identifying which of Purdue's engineering disciplines is the right fit. We have professional academic advisors, faculty, and student advisors dedicated to assisting beginning engineers with the first-year experience.
The First-Year Engineering Program is also home to the First-Year Engineering Honors Program for academically talented and highly motivated students.
We also help engineering students learn how to use their skills to help others through our EPICS program — Engineering Projects in Community Service. Close ^
Maggie McCormick Hunckler
BA 1991, MS 1994
BA 1991, MS 1994
asks...
I studied abroad during my time as an undergrad. How will Purdue ensure that all students have an international experience, or at least that opportunity, regardless of their major?
We would like all of our students to have an international experience as part of their Purdue education. We know that nationally and at Purdue, about 50 percent of entering freshmen are interested in a study abroad experience sometime during their undergraduate career, but for a variety of reason many do not pursue the opportunity. Last academic year, nearly 1,300 Purdue students participated in study abroad.
The Office of Programs for Study Abroad offers several types of programs to accommodate Purdue students. More than 200 programs are offered, they range in length from one week to one year, and they are located in more than 47 countries. The programs will vary by many different criteria, including cost, on-site support, accommodations, course options, dates and lengths, excursions and field trips, and language abilities.
All students on Purdue-approved programs remain enrolled as regular Purdue students while studying abroad, allowing students to fit study abroad into their four-year plan. Academic credit usually transfers back to Purdue with grades.
Every effort is made to keep program costs as close as possible to the cost of study on the West Lafayette campus. Students eligible for financial aid may apply most forms of aid to the costs of approved programs.
In addition to study abroad, our Purdue campus in West Lafayette is an international community. Purdue enrolls nearly 5,000 international students, ranking us third in the nation among all universities, public and private. This give all of our students international exposure during their years on campus.
Among our Strategic Plan goals is to become a global university, and this includes increasing the number of study abroad students along with increasing international research partnerships and using our discovery to help around the world. Close ^
The Office of Programs for Study Abroad offers several types of programs to accommodate Purdue students. More than 200 programs are offered, they range in length from one week to one year, and they are located in more than 47 countries. The programs will vary by many different criteria, including cost, on-site support, accommodations, course options, dates and lengths, excursions and field trips, and language abilities.
All students on Purdue-approved programs remain enrolled as regular Purdue students while studying abroad, allowing students to fit study abroad into their four-year plan. Academic credit usually transfers back to Purdue with grades.
Every effort is made to keep program costs as close as possible to the cost of study on the West Lafayette campus. Students eligible for financial aid may apply most forms of aid to the costs of approved programs.
In addition to study abroad, our Purdue campus in West Lafayette is an international community. Purdue enrolls nearly 5,000 international students, ranking us third in the nation among all universities, public and private. This give all of our students international exposure during their years on campus.
Among our Strategic Plan goals is to become a global university, and this includes increasing the number of study abroad students along with increasing international research partnerships and using our discovery to help around the world. Close ^
Joe Hess
BSAE 1980, MSAE 1981
BSAE 1980, MSAE 1981
asks...
Do you see improving the quality of incoming freshman classes, as measured by SAT/ACT scores, a priority? If so, how do you hope to accomplish this?
SAT/ACT scores are only one item considered in the admission process. Purdue uses an holistic approach to admitting students, taking into consideration such things as whether a student is taking advanced placement courses, strength of the high school, and extracurricular activities. SAT/ACT scores are a factor in raising admission standards at Purdue, but certainly not the only consideration. Close ^