Roger B. Gatewood 

Roger B. Gatewood initially pursued a banking career after receiving a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1968. However, in 1975, he ventured into entrepreneurship by founding an Illinois-based home construction company, Westfield Homes. The company experienced major growth and expansion into Florida and the Carolinas, becoming one of the largest homebuilders in America. Gatewood sold the business to Standard Pacific Homes in 2002. Purdue honored Gatewood with an Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award in 2009 and a Philanthropist of the Year Award. In addition, the Roger B. Gatewood Wing of the Mechanical Engineering building is named for him.