The Purdue Alumni Association is an independently financed nonprofit organization. Through the Purdue for Life Foundation, we offer exciting ways for alumni and friends to engage with Purdue across a lifetime. The Foundation combines the alumni engagement function of the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office, and it includes the President’s Council, the John Purdue Club, and the Office of Industry Partnerships, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities.
Purdue Alumni Association History
- 1878—J. B. Harper founds the “General Alumni Association” so graduates can stay in touch. Harper serves as the first president.
- 1890—Purdue alumni clubs are founded in Chicago and Indianapolis to help keep Purdue connections strong with alumni away from campus.
- 1912—Purdue alumni are active in fundraising campaigns to build Purdue Memorial Union. It was dedicated in 1924.
- 1914—The Purdue Bulletin, the first publication for alumni, becomes the Purdue Alumnus.
- 1927—A state statute is officially enacted that added three alumni-elected trustees to the Purdue University Board of Trustees. George Ade (S’1887) had been the sole alumni trustee role since 1909.
- 1953—R.J. Rudolph becomes the first executive director of the Purdue Alumni Association.
- 1958—Purdue’s athletic booster group, the John Purdue Club, is founded thanks to the involvement of the Purdue Alumni Association.
- 1964—The Purdue Alumni Association hosts its first international tour, traveling with a group of alumni to Europe.
- 2004—The alumni association moves to the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center on the south side of campus.
- 2005—PASE (Purdue Alumni Student Experience) is launched. It quickly becomes the largest student group on the West Lafayette campus.
- 2020—The Purdue for Life Foundation is created.
- 2021—The Purdue Alumni Association joins the Purdue for Life Foundation.