Purdue University

The Purdue University campus is home to a diverse collection of sculptures — one that includes statues of individuals who have inspired students to commissioned pieces by internationally renowned artists. In this edition of “This Is Purdue,” we turn the spotlight on several of these noteworthy landmarks — from the Bell Tower and Continuum to a student-favorite fountain, a statue honoring a legendary astronaut, and the beloved bronze Boilermaker that greets loyal fans to Purdue athletic competitions. 
 
 In 2016 Purdue University unveiled the final sculpture designed by the late Nina Hole. The internationally acclaimed artist was known for her outdoor firing technique, which allowed her to transform raw clay into a finished piece of art entirely on site. The finished, life-size clay structure housed at Purdue was modeled to look like a church in the Danish artist’s hometown — a stunning piece introduced to the campus community through performative elements.

Episode 23 - Hidden Gems

In this episode&nbsp;of This is Purdue,&nbsp;we’re talking to&nbsp;Dr. Esteban Ramirez, Chief Medical Officer for the Protect Purdue Health Center&nbsp;- the 24/7 virtual health center dedicated to all things COVID-19-related for the Purdue community.&nbsp; Listen in as we discuss how the&nbsp;Protect Purdue initiative assisted in getting&nbsp;50,000 students, faculty and staff&nbsp;to return to campus safely, and why student culture has played a crucial role in Purdue’s&nbsp;success this year.&nbsp; How did&nbsp;Dr. Ramirez&nbsp;tackle this&nbsp;massive&nbsp;initiative&nbsp;virtually? And what were some of the biggest lessons learned?&nbsp; Plus, you’ll hear about Purdue’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution site on campus&nbsp;which opened&nbsp;in April&nbsp;to help vaccinate as many students as possible before the end of the&nbsp;2021 Spring semester.&nbsp;To learn more about Protect Purdue, please&nbsp;visit&nbsp;<a href="https://protect.purdue.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">protect.purdue.edu</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Along with serving as Chief Medical Officer of the Protect Purdue Health Center, Dr. Esteban Ramirez is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at IU School of Medicine in West Lafayette, and part-time primary care provider for Purdue University’s Center for Healthy Living. An internal medicine specialist, Ramirez has taught at the IU School of Medicine since 2010. 

From 2012-14, Ramirez was director of the Indiana University Health Arnett Preoperative Assessment Clinic and was a hospitalist at IU Health Arnett from 2010-12. He was a voluntary clinical assistant professor of medicine at the IU School of Medicine in West Lafayette from 2010-12, and from 2008-10 he served as a hospitalist at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. 

Dr. Esteban Ramirez

Chief Medical Officer, Protect Purdue Health Center

Episode 29 - Protect Purdue

In this episode we will discover more about Purdue Polytechnic High School and how it is providing a pathway to Purdue for underrepresented minority students.

Scott is the Head of School for Purdue University’s Polytechnic High School in Indianapolis, which will launch in the fall of 2017. Targeting underserved students who might not otherwise be qualified to go on to obtain post-secondary credentials, Purdue Polytechnic’s challenge is to “reinvent” high school to meet the current and future needs of those students.

Prior to joining Purdue, Scott was the Senior Vice President of Mission and the President and Chief Operating Officer of Goodwill Education Initiatives, Inc. (GEI) at Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. GEI operates The Excel Center, which targets older youth or adults who have dropped out of school. The Excel Center now serves over 5,000 students in fifteen locations and has more than 1,700 graduates.

In 2013, Scott launched the Indiana Network of Independent Schools, which provides a range of back office and curricular services to traditional, charter and private schools. GEI also runs the Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, which provides students with dual-credit college courses, industry certifications, internships, and the opportunity to be placed in a high-wage job immediately after graduation.

Scott, a graduate of Purdue University (B.S., Mathematics) and Marian University (M.A., Education) was a teacher, an executive in the IT field and business owner prior to joining Goodwill. Scott has four grown children and lives in Danville, Indiana with his wife, Robin. He served on the School Board of Trustees in Danville for sixteen years, the Board of EmployIndy for eight years, and currently serves on the Board of Ivy Tech Community College Central Indiana Region, the Region 5 Works Council and the Washington, DC Goodwill Excel Center.

Scott Bess

Head of Purdue Polytechnic High School, Indianapolis

Dr. Gary R. Bertoline is the Dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and a Distinguished Professor of Computer Graphics Technology and Computer & Information Technology at Purdue University.  He earned his BS at Northern Michigan University, MEd from Miami University, and PhD at The Ohio State University and was on the faculty in the College of Engineering at Ohio State for 3 years before coming to Purdue University in 1990.  From 1995 through 2001, Gary served as Department Head of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University.  From 2002 to 2006 in his role as Associate VP and Director, he led the creation of the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and the Envision Center for Perceptualization.  He also served 5-years as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the College of Technology before becoming dean of the in 2011.

He co-founded the Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) as well as the Polytechnic Institute initiative at Purdue University.  The Polytechnic initiative is a major effort to transform the college’s curricula and learning experience for the students to better prepare graduate for life and work in the digital age.  Gary is the lead for the Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis High School that will be opening in Fall 2017.

He has authored numerous papers in journals and trade publications on engineering and computer graphics, computer-aided design, and visualization research.  He has authored and co-authored seven text books in the areas of computer-aided design and engineering design graphics with one, Fundamentals of Graphics Communications currently in its 6th edition.  Gary’s research interests are in scientific visualization, interactive immersive environments, distributed and grid computing, workforce education and STEM education.

Gary Bertoline

Dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Episode 28 - Purdue Polytechnic High School

A cutting-edge, student-run organization, Purdue University’s Solar Racing Club has been building solar cars for 30 years. In time, the group has grown into a thriving, innovative collegiate solar car team, building multiple vehicles and competing in national and international events. Let’s meet some of the group’s standout students who help promote the possibilities of sustainable transportation. The Women in Engineering Program at Purdue University helps girls and women discover their inner engineer. Among its numerous services, the program encourages future engineering students through engaging initiatives like Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. We spoke with several participants about the importance of this annual gathering that promotes interest in engineering among early high school students.

Episode 27 - Engineering Opportunities

Active on campus since the early 1960s, Purdue University’s Hockey Club enjoys the enthusiastic support of students, alumni and sponsors. As a Division 3, ACHA collegiate-level organization, the Boilermakers compete within the Indiana Collegiate Hockey Conference. Skilled competitors on the ice, the club’s dedicated members play their home games at either the Fuel Tank in Fishers or Pop Weaver Ice Arena in Indianapolis. They share their passion for the sport with us here.

Representing Purdue University both on and off the field of play, student-athletes across all intercollegiate sports rely on student athletic trainers to help prevent and recover from injuries. The athletic training program at Purdue provides only the best in academic coursework and hands-on clinical education, allowing students to acquire exceptional skills that in turn keep Purdue’s teams competing in peak condition.

Episode 26 - Puck, Yeah!

Purdue University students continue to put their design expertise to groundbreaking use. In this installment of “This Is Purdue,” we talk with Professor John Sullivan from Aeronautics and Astronautics, along with some talented engineering students who recount their travels to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. While there, they set out to break a speed record using a cutting-edge vehicle they designed and built as a team.
 
Through more than 1,000 student organizations covering diverse interests, Purdue University provides countless ways for students to find their fit on campus. Established in 1982, the Purdue Cycling Club attracts both undergraduate and graduate students who have a passion for cycling. From group rides to racing opportunities, riders at all skill levels enjoy activities connecting them with other cyclists on campus.

Episode 25 - Motoring Along

Dedicated in 2008, the 8-foot-tall “Unfinished Block P” sculpture on Purdue University’s campus serves as a permanent reminder that one’s educational journey never ends – that learning, in essence, is a lifelong process. The bronze sculpture, cast to appear as if it were carved out of stone, was a collaborative effort between artists Rita and Rick Hadley, University officials and members of the Iron Key honorary that works anonymously each year on a service project benefiting Purdue. We take a closer look at this beloved work of art here.

By taking a journey back in time, Purdue University’s Medieval Society helps the campus community explore both the society and culture of the Middle Ages — all accomplished through festive activities that are both fun and enlightening. We spoke with some of the group’s members to discover more about the Medieval Society’s timeless appeal for Purdue and its students.

Episode 24 - Purdue Gets Medieval

This is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University, highlights stories about Boilermakers from across all disciplines, who through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap. Hosted by Purdue University alum, Brian Lamb School of Communication graduate, and Indiana native Kate Young, This is Purdue aims to examine all of the incredible accomplishments of Boilermakers and their contributions to the world. Join us every other Thursday as we interview students, faculty, and alumni taking small steps toward their giant leaps, and inspiring others to do the same.

Episode 23 - Hidden Gems

Episode 23 - Hidden Gems

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