Sally and Pete Kay (2007 - present)
Last year we celebrated the conclusion of the Campaign for Purdue, which raised an unprecedented $1.7 Billion dollars for the University. These moneys were used to construct or modify some 60 buildings on campus, to hire 300 new faculty members at a time when other universities were cutting staff, and to fund scholarships and other programs which would provide a world class educational opportunity for our students.
The overarching goal of all these activities was to accelerate Purdue’s path towards preeminence among institutions of higher learning. President’s Council members played the leading role in this effort, contributing approximately 80% of the private funds raised during the Campaign while working with the University on many academic and administrative advisory boards.
In addition to the financial success of the campaign, we can report many other achievements during the past year:
- President’s Council membership at year end is at an all time high of 17,782 members;
- 27 schools within the University are rated in the top 25 nationally, 11 of them in the top ten;
- Purdue’s Discovery Park boasts two of the best research facilities in the Nation, in the Bindley Bioscience and Birck Nanotechnology Centers;
- Several new Discovery Park centers, for Energy, the Environment, Healthcare Engineering, Oncological Sciences and Discovery Learning are playing leading roles in the disciplines they represent;
- Purdue’s Research Park has been rated the best in the Nation;
- Demand for a Purdue education continues to increase, with record enrollments;
- Incoming student SAT scores are at an all time high; and
- A new Strategic Plan has been written towards Launching Tomorrow’s Leaders, Discovery With Delivery, and Meeting Global Challenges.
Last year we noted what an exciting time it was to be a Boilermaker. It seems to get better every year. Under President Córdova’s leadership, the new strategic plan is rapidly being implemented, and students are being challenged to help forge solutions to the many urgent crises that face our communities, the State of Indiana and our Nation. On every front, from healthcare to energy and global environmental issues, Purdue faculty and students are increasingly being enrolled in the front lines of leadership, discovery and implementation as we strive for solutions.
Internally, President’s Council is forging new relationships with the Purdue Alumni Association and the John Purdue Club to help encourage younger alumni to give back to our University. The goal is to have students become active alumni from the moment they receive their degrees. The diversity of talent and fresh input that can be obtained from this group of young people is worthy of our strongest recruiting efforts.
We enjoyed the company of 149 President’s Council members on our cruise to Alaska this past June. It was the largest and most enthusiastically received cruise to date, and we look forward to continual growth in participation in the years to come.
Thanks again for affording us the opportunity to represent you as President’s Council Co -Chairs these past two years. Our very best Purdue experience to date has been the opportunity to meet and work with so many of you who share our love for Purdue and its future.
Hail Purdue, and Go Boilermakers!
Sincerely,
Sally Kay
Co-chair
Pete Kay
Co-chair