Ongoing investments improve housing, academics, athletics, and Purdue Airport

In July 2023, the university issued a snapshot of recently completed, ongoing and planned capital projects totaling more than $1.3 billion. These investments are taking place alongside the approved 11th and 12th consecutive years of frozen tuition. Work includes new student housing, renovations to the mechanical engineering building and Ross-Ade Stadium, and new construction at Zucrow Labs.

Also in the plan are runway improvements and a new passenger terminal that could bring commercial air service back to Purdue Airport, pictured above. The 8,000-square-foot facility – to be located west of the existing terminal – will include baggage claim, ticketing and passenger screening and meet TSA and FAA requirements. Construction is scheduled from May 2024 to May 2025.

Visit purdue.edu/physicalfacilities to see the Major Capital Projects map.

Purdue Applied Research Institute opens $41M Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility

Cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of the Purdue Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility are (from left) Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research; Mark Lewis, CEO of PARI; Mung Chiang, Purdue University president; Scott Meyer, managing director of Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories. Purdue University/Charles Jischke photo.

On June 6, 2023, leaders from federal government and industry joined leadership and staff from Purdue University and the Purdue Applied Research Institute(PARI) in celebrating the official opening of the Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility (HARF). This 65,000-square-foot building is home to two cutting-edge wind tunnels, plus the Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (HAMTC) led by AAE professor Michael Sangid.

At HAMTC, industry partners can work on materials and manufacturing innovations in a single location, with access to high-tech testing capabilities. “HARF is an investment in test and evaluation and research capabilities that this country desperately needs,” said Mark Lewis, chief executive officer for PARI.

Study abroad program celebrates its 20th anniversary

Reunion of GEARE participants in Karlsruche, Germany

In May 2023, many of the people who participated or were involved in GEARE gathered in Karlsruche, Germany for a 20th anniversary reunion. Karlsruche Institute of Technology (KIT) has partnered with Purdue’s Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE) program since 2003 to provide a work experience, cultural training, and a team-based design project. Nearly 1,000 Purdue students have participated in the program.

Find a full story with videos at bit.ly/geare20

Arvind Raman takes over as College of Engineering dean

Arvind Raman, dean of the College of Engineering

Longtime Purdue administrator and faculty member Arvind Raman, pictured, is the new John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. Raman was executive associate dean for four years before stepping into the role on April 1, 2023, replacing interim dean Mark Lundstrom. Lundstrom continues to lead semiconductors activities across Purdue and serve as the Don and Carol Scifres Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The Rocket Lab

Purdue University Press has published The Rocket Lab: Maurice Zucrow, Purdue University, and America’s Race to Space, by Michael G. Smith. It covers the life of Dr. Maurice J. Zucrow during the golden era of space exploration — 1946 and 1966. It is available in paperback, hardcover, and digital versions at press.purdue.edu.