Old Masters: A Purdue Tradition
November 3, 2016
By Emma Alexander,
Honors Communications Intern
Honors Student Claire Lee with her 2015 Old Master, the Honorable Capricia Penavic Marshall [Former Social Secretary under Bill Clinton and Chief of Protocol under Obama].
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Embracing traditions, uniting generations and inspiring Boilermakers, the Old Masters program has a grand vision at Purdue. It calls on students to reach for success by learning from the experiences and ideas of eminent personalities, who have walked that path before them. The 2016 Old Masters program kicks off next week and there are many ways you can participate.
Old Masters is a prestigious campus organization, dating back to 1950, which brings ten distinguished alumni back to campus each fall. The selected alumni, or “Old Masters” span a vast spectrum of experiences and backgrounds. An Old Master could be a CEO, government official, or astronaut. Essentially, they have taken their Purdue degree and found success in a big way. By bringing these spectacular alumni back to campus, Purdue is able to connect these leaders with students for meaningful interaction, through a multitude of events and programming. Since its inception, the program has included more than 600 Old Masters.
There are many ways to be involved in planning Old Masters events or hosting an Old Master, but you can also get involved right now through your attendance at events next week. Each of the Old Masters will participate in various lunches and classroom talks. The Honors College will host a special lunch of its own, featuring Old Masters Terry Cross, former United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral, and Belinda Seto, the Deputy Director of the National Eye Institute and the Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Nuclear Medicine. This is an incredible opportunity to bond with these alumni, garner their wisdom and advice, and to, quite frankly, be inspired. The Honors College lunch and panel with the Old Masters is set for Monday, Nov. 7 from 12-1 p.m. in the Honors Hall.
Another great opportunity to hear from all of this year’s Old Masters will come later that day at “An Evening with the Old Masters” in the Loeb Playhouse at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars now! This is sure to be an evening you won’t soon forget.
Interested in joining the planning committee for this timeless organization? Curious to learn more about all of the visiting Old Masters? Visit the program’s website to quench all your inquisitive needs! http://www.purdueoldmasters.org/