Arthur Kelly, an alumnus of the university, established the Kelly Fund at Purdue University in 1956. The income from this is used to bring scientists and engineers to the campus for lectures and discussions in the Department of Chemistry and the School of Chemical Engineering.

The Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award is presented to engineering alumni who have distinguished themselves in any field of endeavor that reflects favorably on Purdue University, the engineering profession, or society in general.

The School of Chemical Engineering has a vision: to continue to be recognized as a premier source of well-educated and well-prepared chemical engineers in the world.