Inside the Herman and Heddy Kurz Atrium of Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, students and their families interacted with faculty, staff and ambassadors and learned about the abundant opportunities available on campus for learning and engagement during the College of Engineering's Family Day.

More than 700 guests attended the College of Engineering’s Family Day on Oct. 15, held as part of Purdue University’s overall Family Weekend.

This year’s event saw heavy participation from First-Year Engineering (FYE) students’ families, who engaged during the open house with College of Engineering representatives from a variety of areas:

• School of Engineering Education faculty and FYE advisors presented material on scholarly research-informed learning objectives, career exploration opportunities and the tools students will utilize to prepare them for engineering careers.

• Advisors and ambassadors from schools and divisions visited with guests and answered questions.

• The College of Engineering's Office of Undergraduate Education, Engineering Undergraduate Research Office, EPICS and Vertically Integrated Projects presented information and fielded program questions.

Carl Russell III, a senior in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering who was recently named an Engineering Fellow, discusses the EPICS program during Family Day 2022. Russell has overseen five EPICS projects during his time at Purdue.

• The Purdue Engineering Student Council and College of Engineering ambassadors provided informational tables, and the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation set up indoor and outdoor games like Giant Jenga, a bean bag toss, Giant Yardzee and Plinko.

“We spoke with a good number of first-year students and families, as well as the families of sophomores, juniors and seniors who stopped by,” said Nate Engelberth, director of academic advising in the College of Engineering’s Office of Undergraduate Education. “Parents and families typically wanted to know about the experience of their students in the First-Year Engineering Program as well as what to expect when they moved to their degree programs, the types of support offered and advice they could give their students for success.”

Interim Dean Mark Lundstrom recorded a video message specifically for FYE families. In it, he reported that for the first time in the program’s nearly 70-year history, FYE will have a new and dedicated space in the Gateway Complex beginning in the spring 2023 semester. FYE academic advisors and the instructional support team also will be located in the new building, furthering the College’s mission to advise, prepare and retain all FYE students, Lundstrom shared.

“The College of Engineering Family Day Open House is a special opportunity to gather together and engage as partners in our students’ educational journey. This year, some 50 professors, academic advisors, program administrators and student ambassadors visited with hundreds of Purdue Engineering families to show support and appreciation, provide resources and advice, and celebrate our shared goal of educational and long-term success for our students,” Lundstrom said.

Donuts, coffee and bottled water were available, as well as a step and repeat banner where guests could take photos with fun props.

In conjunction with the Family Weekend, the College’s Parent & Family Leadership Council held its annual meeting on Oct. 14, discussing a variety of topics, including parent resources, the annual Industrial Roundtable and new pathways for parents to support students.

Jason Morphew, assistant professor in the School of Engineering Education, shares data during a presentation for Family Day attendees.