PURDUE STUDENT LIFE PERSPECTIVES SPRING 2018

STUDENT LEARNING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INCLUSION STEWARDSHIP UNITY A WORD FROM OUR VICE PROVOST Purdue’s history and traditions are rich and vast, but Purdue history during spring semester is EXTRAORDINARY! Spring Fest, Grand Prix and fountain runs are celebrations marking the end of winter and PERSPECTIVES the promise of a new season. Purdue commencement is another new beginning; watching the procession of students winding around Editor the while the plays music Dr. Beth McCuskey associated with Purdue and connecting with the platform party as Vice Provost of Student LIfe they march through Hovde into the glorious (the home of commencement for nearly fifty years). Generations Writer/Copy Editor of Purdue students have crossed the Elliott stage with degree in Matt Vader hand, marking the beginning of a promising future. I always enjoy the commencement festivities, especially realizing that this is the Copy Editors STUDENT LIFE beginning of a new, life-long Purdue relationship with these students. Cassia Dean SNAPSHOT This year I have traveled with many students participating in study Cheri Frank Students working together abroad trips. I spend a great deal of time reflecting on what these Carol Houston at the Emily Mauzy Vogel journeys teach me while I watch the students learn and I am always Bob Mindrum Sophomore Leadership truly touched witnessing the power of communication through the Development Experience. universal language of music. In this copy of Perspectives you will find Writer/Copy Editor This overnight retreat focuses on strengths-based Kristen’s story on how her study abroad experience influenced her Matt Vadar future and changed her life. approaches to inclusive leadership. As demand for student housing increases, so have the number of our Art Direction/Design learning communities and students participating in these programs, Jackie Perkins extending their classroom experiences and relationships to their living space. The Executive-in-Residence program continues to offer current Content Generators CONTENTS Boilers mentorship and networking opportunities that our uniquely Pam Dexter skilled, engaged, professional and talented Purdue alumni support. Amanda Dunkle The Faculty-in-Residence Program has been reintroduced in the legacy Kevin Maurer FEATURES HAPPENINGS of Amelia Earhart and you can read more about the program and our faculty member, TJ on page 14. Todd Wetzel 4 Student Life Travels 8 Student Life Supports As we celebrate the end of the semester, the beginning of life outside Perspectives is a seasonal publication from A Student Abroad Smith’s Support All About Connections of Purdue and the value of the Purdue degree I leave you with the the Office of the Vice Provost of Student Life. words from the student-created honor pledge: “As a Boilermaker An electronic version of this publication and 7 Student Life Interns 9 Student Life Strengthens pursuing academic excellence, I pledge to be honest and true in all that I past issues can be found at: Student Interns Contribute to Student Life Experience do. Accountable together—We are Purdue.” April 2017 LEAP Program Making Impact Through Assessment Student Life Congratulates Hail Purdue! www.purdue.edu/vpsl/perspectives Student Life Listens 10 Gephart Named Music Educator of the Year Student Advisory feeds Student Life

Student Life Welcomes Student Life Honors 11 12 Zane Reif Tabbed Director of Purdue Union Dr. Beth McCuskey Honor Pledge Task Force Seeks to Transform Vice provost of Student Life 14 Student Life Unites Vawter Hall’s Family in Residence

Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 3 “When I joined Purduettes I thought it was just a singing STUDENT LIFE group, but it’s so much more than that,” said Beese. “We learn how to put together a great resume, how to make an awesome elevator pitch, how to mingle with someone – all things that I didn’t understand in high A Student Abroad: Kristin Beese Learns school. I think that a lot of the professionalism I Beese sightseeing with fellow Through International Experiences Purduettes while in Costa Rica. TRAVELS learned from Purduettes really helped me get my Beese teaching English to fourth-graders in Italy. internship experiences at would often invite Beese and her “It was insane,” said Beese. “I was Senior Kristin Beese has traveled the group performed created a While serving as an intern for Google Google.” roommates over for meals. The preparing myself for the worst-case the world as a result of learning connection with a restaurant owner in New York City in the summer experience of being immersed in scenario where we were going to opportunities created at Purdue. and his wife, who were celebrating of 2016, Beese began researching In addition to studying in Florence, Italy along with five other students miss the train and we might have to their 50th wedding anniversary. a way to study abroad while Beese helped teach English to she didn’t know, Beese said, helped spend the night and be late to class Beese’s international educational simultaneously seeking to obtain an fourth-grade Italian students once a her in her transition to her internship the next day. A big part of studying experience includes traveling to international internship experience. week. Beese was inspired to pursue “It was really awesome in Switzerland. abroad was going with the flow and perform in Costa Rica, studying The result was a semester study the opportunity after teaching abroad in Florence, Italy and holding to have those close being positive about it and I learned abroad experience in Florence, Italy, for Girls Who Code, a seven-week “The really great thing about study an internship with Google at the that from PMO.” connections with total followed by a 13-week internship summer program that seeks to abroad was that it was a great YouTube office in Zurich, Switzerland. Beese earned with YouTube in inspire girls to pursue careers in way to start my time abroad with Living in Switzerland was a major While Beese, a computer science strangers,” said Beese. “I Zurich, Switzerland. computer science. Among Beese’s everyone being in the same boat,” adjustment for Beese. She had to major, was interested in travel and thought wow, that was favorite memories of her time said Beese. “Gaining that confidence adjust to the country’s efficiency considered learning opportunities During the process of applying teaching English in Italy came at and independence was a really great of services, noting that public abroad as part of her decision to amazing. I need to go for and ultimately obtaining the end of each day, when students transition into interning abroad. I transportation was nearly always attend Purdue, it was the spring her internship experiences with abroad again through sang along with songs from English- think if I immediately interned exactly on time. She even had break trip to Costa Rica with the Google, Beese leaned heavily on Purdue.” speaking pop stars such as Justin abroad without that semester-long to adjust to sorting trash into Purduettes in 2016 that ignited the practical skills she learned through Beiber. immersion in Europe, I would have four different bins based on the passion that would make learning Purduettes. been overwhelmed.” composition of waste material. As abroad a reality. Beese lived in an apartment with the only American on her work five other study-abroad students The emphasis the Purduettes put on In preparation for the trip, Beese and team at YouTube, there were also while she took four classes in the maxim of “adjust and move on” the Purduettes learned several songs language barriers to overcome Florence. Her class schedule resulted was something Beese drew from as in Spanish and received instruction and an adjustment to the more in three-day weekends, which she experienced setbacks abroad. on Costa Rican culture. The women’s reserved style of expression found in afforded Beese the opportunity to One such case was when she had to vocal performance group, part Switzerland. travel to various cities across Europe, leave a bus stuck in traffic and run of Purdue Musical Organizations, including Brussels, Budapest, Prague, for 20 minutes to catch a train that “I think that I became a much traveled the country performing Berlin, London and Paris. Beese was returning to Florence. Beese and stronger software engineer and in venues ranging from cities and visited a total of 15 countries during her traveling partner barely made it a much stronger person because resorts to churches. Connections her study and internship abroad to the train station before the train of doing that,” said Beese. “I didn’t through music transcended experiences. left, avoiding a situation that likely realize how many differences there language barriers and were a big would have meant missing class the would be between an internship in part of the meaningful experience Beese also developed a treasured following day. the US and an internship abroad.” for Beese. One of the Spanish songs relationship with her landlord, who

4 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 5 STUDENT LIFE

INTERNSStudent Interns Contribute to Student Life Experience Lady Gaga. Jersey Boys. The Wizard For Ayres, this means focusing on going to school,” said Ayres. of Oz. Brad Paisley. Rent. It’s no secret social media. Ayres typically posts that Purdue Convocations attracts details about upcoming shows, “Some people think it’s Beese thrived in her role over the was able to return to her hometown, “Purdue is definitely the best some of the biggest and brightest shares information and content impossible to work while course of her internship. Most of Minneapolis, to perform with the choice I’ve ever made,” said stars of the entertainment industry to about performers and provides going to school. It’s not. her work centered on creating and singing group this past fall when her campus. customer service for online inquiries. supplementing ways for YouTube parents sponsored the group’s fall Beese. “I honestly think that She also helps handle charitable It’s beneficial. It helps you Before the act comes to town, content creators to make a living tour. if I didn’t go to Purdue, I ticket requests, ensuring that the manage your time better, from the website, primarily through however, there’s lots of work to be requesting parties have satisfied “It was amazing to take a group that’s interactive interphases between wouldn’t have had these done. In addition to the myriad of certain stipulations to receive their have better connections so important to me to where I’m users and content creators. After details to work out, ranging from tickets. She and the rest of the interns from,” said Beese. amazing career experiences and have a better having to adjust to Swiss cultural in Convocations also help canvass with Google and going experience in general.” customs, Beese was able to share Looking back, Beese said there are Sami Ayres (HHS '18) campus with posters promoting American culture with her YouTube many lessons she will carry forward abroad. There’s really no upcoming events. Ayres and the other Convocations colleagues when she earned the from her time abroad. She cites self- organization like Purdue When show time comes, Ayres can interns make up a small part of the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles confidence, the ability to laugh at often be found running a photo more than 100 internships offered with members of the Zurich office. herself, the capacity to adjust to any Musical Organizations. The booth set up for guests. The photo within the division of Student situation and willingness to try new Since returning from Europe, Beese way it runs is so unique and booth provides opportunities for Life. Nearly one-third of these things as some of the lessons she is has also been led back home in her engagement while at the show. interns receive academic credit grateful for from her experience. I’m just so grateful that I involvement in the Purduettes. She During these interactions, interns for completing their internship. In came to college here.” are the face of Convocations. Other addition to the learning opportunities these internships offer, interns Beese recently made a connection performance duties include providing customer service, taking pictures, provide meaningful contributions to directly related to her future when the function of the division as a whole. she met a Google employee, who ushering and even attending meet­ had worked with YouTube, at a and-greets where performers interact Four interns from Student Life mingling event prior to a Purduettes security to coordinating specific with fans. Marketing earned 2018 American performance at a 4-H event. Beese requests made by performers, word Advertising Awards from the North about the performance has to get out Whether it’s witnessing and has accepted a position at YouTube participating in the day-to-day Central chapter of the headquarters in San Bruno, Calif., to the campus and Greater Lafayette American Advertising Federation. communities. operations of Convocations, making where she will begin working in professional connections or even Student Life Marketing design Aug. 2018. She will graduate in May That’s where Convocations’ group meeting some of the performers who interns produce artwork associated 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in of interns like Sami Ayres come in come to Purdue, Ayres is thankful for with the promotion of Student Life computer science. to play. Through digital advertising, her internship experience. organizations and initiatives. Recent print advertising or direct marketing, completed projects have included the interns make sure the public “I’m so glad I’ve been able redesign of the Union Club Hotel logo is informed about upcoming and displays for the Purdue Crew boat Convocations events. to do an internship while house.

6 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 7 One of the most intensive work STUDENT LIFE experiences offered is a 500­ hour Purdue Wellness internship CONGRATULATES spread over two semesters. This internship focuses primarily on GEPHART NAMED the Wellness Mentor Program and MUSIC EDUCATOR OF wellness presentations. Leadership THE YEAR opportunities abound within Jay Gephart, the Al G. Wright divisional internships, including Chair and director of bands at human resource interns who help Purdue, has been named the 2018 train new Purdue Dining & Catering Outstanding Collegiate Music employees. Educator of the Year by the Indiana Student Life units offer internships Music Education Association. This year-round. The interns contribute prestigious honor is bestowed upon those who have exemplified significantly to the essential daily Student Interns and Student services of Student Life departments, Life Markting staff at the ADDY outstanding achievement in the while also gaining real-world work awards banquet. field of music education at the experience. Students at the Emily Mauzy collegiate level. Gephart received Vogel Sophomore Leadership the award in January at the Development Experience. organization’s annual Professional Development Conference in Fort Student Life Supports Wayne. Smith’s Support All About Connections Gephart joined Purdue in the fall of Stacey Wartonick Smith’s relationship started their home and, in a way, it relationship with Robert Hoffer, the Student Life Strengthens 1995 and was appointed director with Purdue starts with her family. always has been their home.” founder of Hoffer Plastics and a LEAP Program Making Impact Through of university bands in 2006. He is longtime supporter of Purdue and the director of Purdue’s acclaimed Four generations of Smith’s family It was these ties, as well as Smith’s the College of Technology who, Strengths Assessment “All-American” Marching Band and have attended the university, own experiences as a student, that Smith says, showed an active interest wind ensemble. Under Gephart’s stretching all the way back to when inspired her to make a significant gift in students. direction, the “All-American” her great-great-grandfather, T.A. to the university. Her gift, earmarked The Roger C. Stewart Leadership Approximately 15,000 students Experience at Purdue (LEAP) is have taken the assessment since Marching Band has performed on Hanson, became the first member of for the Old Masters program, is in “Whenever I was talking with him, I four continents. the family to graduate from Purdue honor of her parents. felt like he was a guy who wanted providing a tool for incoming the beginning of the program in in 1898. It was the influence of her to hear from you as much as you first-year and transfer students to Fall 2016. Including staff and faculty, In addition to his work at Purdue, parents, Sonja Hanson Wartonick and The Old Masters program has strong wanted to hear from him,” says Smith. assess their leadership abilities and nearly 17,000 Boilermakers have Gephart is active in various Nicholas A. Wartonick that has stayed ties for Smith, who spent a year strengths. completed the assessment. The professional organizations. He with Smith through the years. helping facilitate the program as a Smith’s relationship with Hoffer later Top 5 Most Common Strengths currently serves as President of student. She was initially inspired to paid dividends in her professional Purdue partnered with Gallup identified for Purdue students are: to introduce CliftonStrengths the Indiana chapter of Phi Beta Sonja and Nicholas met and began join the program after seeing an Old career. Due to her relationship with Mu, a band fraternity. Gephart for Students®, an online talent ACHIEVER their relationship at Purdue. As a Master speak as a sophomore. Hoffer, Smith was often able to travel additionally holds the position young, married couple they lived with Packard Electric to meetings assessment, to incoming RESTORATIVE of vice president and treasurer of in Cary Quadrangle and served in a “When you’re in class, you’re at Hoffer Plastics, an opportunity Boilermakers. Known as sometimes unsure of what your myStrengths, the program the non-profit John Philip Sousa supervisory capacity for the young typically not afforded to people COMPETITION Foundation and serves on the men living there. Their strong bond passions are. You just know you need holding a supervisory position. identifies students’Top 5 Signature a job,” says Smith. “When you hear Themes from a list of 34 talents. American Bandmaster’s Association with Purdue has continued as the LEARNER Board of Directors. family has moved across the country, from someone professional who is Taking the initiative to pursue The myStrengths portal provides including stops in Pennsylvania, passionate about what they do, it connections through Old Masters Boilermakers with resources for HARMONY becomes about the application piece. is something Smith says she hopes Alabama and Minnesota. exploring their Top 5 Themes and myStrengths results are accessed I was inspired.” students will do. for leveraging their strengths by university faculty and staff to “My parents have lived all over the to overcome challenges and ensure student success and help country, but I think they’ve always Old Masters are successful and “Purdue is one of those places where reach personal, academic and students leverage their Strengths felt that Purdue is home,” says Smith. outstanding individuals invited there are so many opportunities professional goals. Students are into future success. “Wherever we’ve moved, Purdue to campus to share ideas and and you just have to take them,” says introduced to the concepts prior to has been the biggest consistency experiences with the student Smith. “It’s all right at your fingertips.” their arrival on campus and during through the years. It was where they body. Smith developed a treasured orientation programs. 8 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 9 STUDENT LIFE

Student Advisory Committees feed Student Life The Student Life Student Advisory Council during 2017 LISTENS Purdue Day of Giving.

arrival of Generation Z to campus. status as a campus icon while evolving Student Life seeks to galvanize its daily our students,” said Greg food storage, location of available food Students have provided insight into to suit the changing needs and operations and long-term goals is options and consideration of changes the shifting mentalities and needs of expectations of students. Connect With Dining through student input. One of the most Minner, Director of Dining related to creating the quickest and incoming students, allowing campus As a result of these advisory meetings, productive ways students impact the & Catering. “The students most efficient service for student organizations to be better prepared to dining.purdue.edu division is through student advisory customers. serve future Boilermakers. This council feedback from students is constantly @PurdueDining councils. are very perceptive of has also provided a resource for the implemented by Student Life Student organization members make evolution of the mission of the Purdue organizations. Advisory councils are There are nine such councils within understanding food trends. up a significant portion of advisory Memorial Union, which will be crucial just one of the many ways students the division of Student Life. The They help keep us focused council representation. Members in ensuring the building maintains its impact their own Student Life committees provide opportunities of the Residence Hall Association, experience. for students to give direct feedback on what student needs Purdue Student Union Board, The and input into everything ranging are and how we can best Intrafraternity Council and Purdue STUDENT LIFE from day-to-day operations to policy Student Government are among the One of Purdue’s iconic hubs for redefine the Purdue Memorial and long-term objectives. Advisory respond to them.” most heavily represented student WELCOMES student activity is now under new Union as a place for community, boards generally include students organizations that seek to make an leadership. Zane Reif became leadership and learning,” said Reif. as well as faculty and staff. Student One of the ongoing initiatives at impact in council meetings. ZANE REIF TABBED membership can range in size from Dining & Catering council meetings DIRECTOR OF PURDUE the sixth director in the history “It is my intent to modernize the a dozen individuals up to nearly 100 is seeking feedback on new menu Purdue Recreation & Wellness is MEMORIAL UNION of in facility to meet the needs of the constituents. Most councils meet items. After serving a meal consisting another area where student input September 2017. next generation of college students, monthly throughout the school year. of the new options, Dining & Catering runs high. The organization has while preserving the history and representatives open the floor to the three advisory committees, each Reif, the former director of the tradition of the space that makes The Dining & Catering advisory students for discussion. The questions of which advise different areas of University Union at the University it such a special place for the committee solicits student input on and remarks are wide-ranging. the department’s operations. The of North Texas, is charged with community and alumni.” everything from menu items to plans Questions on speed of service, meal Intramural Student Advisory Board continuing the Union’s evolution for potential renovations to the dining swipes and payment options, physical impacts decisions that affect the with respect to the changing needs Purdue Memorial Union serves as courts. The student committee has food preparation and storage, serving approximately 18,000 students who of students. Reif’s tasks include a gathering place for student and even been afforded the opportunity to portions and the potential for side participate in intramural programs. overseeing business, marketing and community activity on campus. In listen to and provide direct feedback The board’s impact runs the gamut dishes are all discussed. Feedback is capital plans, process improvement addition to playing host to events, on presentations from consulting firms taken into consideration before the from administrative policy to creating and financial management. He the Union provides important tasked with designing upgrades to menu item debuts. the most competitive atmosphere for residential and retail dining locations. participating teams and individuals. succeeds Bob Mindrum, who retired sources of learning opportunities, The Dining & Catering advisory as full-time director of the Union retail dining options and business “One of the greatest council’s impact isn’t limited just to the Student advisory councils also help after 22 years of service. services catered to both staff and end food product customers receive. Student Life anticipate the future students. The Union also provides opportunities is for us to get Student input can impact anything needs of new generations coming to “As we move into the next decade resources for alumni and campus campus. The Vice Provost for Student from direction of customer traffic flow of evolution in the student union visitors. immediate feedback from in dining courts, to comments about Life Advisory Council is helping field, it is important that we Student Life prepare for the upcoming 10 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 11 STUDENT LIFE

Additional text treatment (vertical)Honor Pledge Task Force (pictured) leads the implementation of the pledge into its next phase. Honor Pledge Task Force Seeks to Transform PLEDGESCampus Culture

One of the new, physical additions Student Rights and Responsibilities the pledge into its next phase. Initiatives for the social impact of printing the pledge on examinations. to campus this year is the Honor survey on academic integrity and the pledge are already beginning The Task Force is working towards Tracks monument, which celebrates dishonesty, which found that 85 Chaired by sophomore Stephen to take shape. For the first time, building an online resource center Purdue’s new student honor pledge. percent of students said academic Schwartz, the Task Force is working incoming freshman and transfers for faculty and students. integrity was important to the to create a campus-wide culture in fall 2017 heard messages about Located on the lawn between Elliott quality of their education. A survey that is aware of and values academic academic integrity incorporated In addition to the Honor Tracks, Hall of Music, the Psychological conducted by the International integrity. into Boiler Gold Rush and Summer physical changes that showcase Sciences building and Haas Hall, Center of Academic Integrity found Transition, Advising and Registration the pledge are evident in the form the 40 feet of black granite railroad that 68 percent of undergraduates “Academic integrity is a programs. The goal, Schwartz of plaques displaying the pledge in track spells out the words of the nationwide admit to cheating on part of what we do,” says says, is to eventually incorporate academic buildings. new student honor pledge: “As a PURDUE writing assignments or tests. messaging about academic honesty PURDUE The long-term goal, Schwartz said, Boilermaker pursuing academic Schwartz, a double major in into admissions procedures so the is to make academic integrity an excellence, I pledge to be honest Inspired by the findings, a agronomy and agribusiness. importance of academic integrity and true in all that I do. Accountable 15-member student team ingrained part of Purdue’s culture. “I hope that everyone becomes clear from the first time together – We are Purdue.” spearheaded the initiative to create a prospective student considers HONORHONOR “When I send my kids here in 30 years, Purdue’s Honor Pledge. Led by The words and monument are a at Purdue is pursuing attending the university. I want the culture here at Purdue Cameron Mann (’16), who served University to be where you can walk welcome addition to campus, but as the student trustee on Purdue’s academic excellence but, The Task Force is pursuing it’s the work of members of the up to any student walking down Board of Trustees, the pledge to a certain extent, we’re connections with current students PLPLEDGEEDGE the street and say ‘Tell me about the Honor Pledge Task Force that is received support from Purdue through the division of Student transforming the pledge into a part also calling students to not honor pledge,” said Schwartz. “And President Mitch Daniels, the Office Life. The Task Force is building nine times out of 10, they’ll know of Purdue’s culture. The Task Force is of the Provost, the Office of the just academic integrity, but relationships with the Residence organization’s mission. made up of 10 undergraduates and the pledge and know why it matters.” Dean of Students, Purdue Student academic success. Academic Hall Association, Purdue Student Incorporating faculty into the two graduate students who seek to Government, Purdue Graduate Government, Purdue Graduate advance a supportive environment mission of the Pledge is another Learn More Student Government and University integrity matters not just Student Government, Fraternity, front the Task Force has been active that promotes academic integrity Senate during its development Sorority and Cooperative Life, the and excellence. for us in the present, but for on. Faculty members have bought purdue.edu/provost/ phase. The Honor Pledge Task Force Interfraternity Council and other hall teachinglearning/honor-pledge.html Purdue’s reputation moving in to the mission by incorporating The idea behind the Honor Pledge was formed during the summer of clubs and organizations within the messages about academic integrity was initiated by a Purdue Office of 2017 to lead the implementation of forward.” division to create awareness of the into syllabi and lessons, as well as 12 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 13 significant role in sparking Boisseau’s for Boisseau to help ease students the Purdue “All-American” Marching initial interest in the position of faculty­ through the different anxieties and Band go marching by, or being able in-residence. The opportunity for situations students face throughout to talk with resident assistants on a Boisseau to combine scholarly interest the semester and provide advice to daily basis, Octavia says she loves the with her dedication to educating and students about career and family experience of living in Vawter Hall. mentoring female students especially, choices. She has even invited students One of the impacts Boisseau says was as well as the reputation of Windsor’s into her own apartment to share a important to her was when Octavia residents, made the arrangement a coffee or a meal with her and her family observed and questioned the lack of strong fit. and that’s when conversations are most large numbers of women in the alumni likely to deepen into significance. band during the week of Homecoming, While Boisseau says she knew of the giving Boisseau a teachable moment academic reputation of Windsor’s “What’s really turning out to be the for explaining some feminist history to residents, she didn’t fully appreciate most central, common theme of her daughter. it until just prior to midterm exams in talking with these young women the fall. In a rare occurrence, Boisseau is career,” says Boisseau. “What the “It was clear that Octavia’s perspective was awakened late on a Saturday students want to know is how I chose of living in an all-female dorm has evening by raised voices in the public my career, how our family manages already had an impact on her—she’s spaces of Vawter. Expecting to caution as a two-career couple, how to decide noticing more of the gender politics students about holding parties during whose career might rise to the top that lay all around her,” says Boisseau. quiet hours, Boisseau instead left at any given moment, and questions “I’m very grateful for that.” her room to find groups of students about mothering. I shouldn’t be enthusiastically studying together into surprised because I think those are still While the faculty-in-residence program the wee hours on a weekend night. issues and even very young women in was designed with the goal of inspiring STUDENT LIFE She was impressed and found herself 2018 wonder how they will make all of and creating a genuinely home-like admiring them even more. that work.” atmosphere for students at Purdue, it’s clear that the feelings are mutual for As faculty-in-residence, Boisseau Boisseau’s residence in Vawter Hall Vawter Hall’s “family-in-residence.” is responsible for designing has proven to be not just beneficial formal programming and creating for residents, but for her family as opportunities for informal interactions well. She is specifically pleased with with residents of Windsor. “Feminist the abundance of role models and the Film Fridays” take place in the cozy types of people Octavia is able to meet cinema room beneath the faculty­ as a resident of Vawter Hall. That her in-residence apartment, draw on daughter has been able to interact with Boisseau’s interest as a cinephile and aspiring leaders and young women feminist visual historian and provide pursuing difficult career paths, such Vawter Hall’s Family in Residence opportunities for students to view as an astronaut career, is something TJ Boisseau and films of note and discuss issues of Boisseau says is something she has UNITES Kirk Hoppe, her husband. significance that the films reveal. appreciated about her residency. Encouraging residents to cook together is another key aspect of Boisseau’s “Even while I want to be an Creating a sense of family and Women’s Residence Hall. “We have this feeling that efforts to generate intimate bonding belonging while living on campus is an experiences with her residents. One appropriate and inspiring essential part of the college experience TJ Boisseau, associate professor of we’re the family-in-residence, of the most popular events of the fall role model to the students, for many students. women’s, gender and sexuality studies, semester was Halloween pumpkin- was selected as the first faculty-in­ rather than just the faculty­ carving accompanied by pumpkin- the students are serving the One of the arrangements that seeks residence for the new program. She in-residence,” says Boisseau. flavored refreshments and caramel to facilitate this sense of inclusion and has taught courses on the history apples. This event drew the attention purpose of providing a little family within University Residences of feminism, gender, race, popular “We’re supposed to be of international students especially bit more of an extended is the Amelia Earhart Faculty-in- culture and American women’s history creating a family atmosphere who enjoyed an aspect of American Octavia and Windsor Residence program. The program since arriving at Purdue in 2012. “folk” culture they had long heard about family and role models for Resident carve pumpkins. integrates a faculty member into Boisseau moved into Vawter Hall with for the students and they and were curious to take part in. Octavia,” says Boisseau. “It residential communities to serve as an her husband, Kirk Hoppe, and their intellectual catalyst for the residential daughter, Octavia, 7, in August 2017. have turned out to help Connections made outside of formal was obvious from the first day community experience. The idea was create a family atmosphere programming have proven to be More Information invaluable to Boisseau’s relationship we got here that was going to inspired by Earhart, the aviatrix and The responsibility of educating and about FiR feminist icon who, after being invited mentoring students has turned into for us in raising our daughter.” with residents. Boisseau cites enjoying be the case. That has been a to join Purdue in 1934, chose to live a mutually beneficial relationship meals with the students in the dining Earhart’s legacy as a national heroine housing.purdue.edu/FiR among and mentor students in the between students and the family. hall as key to creating a culture of trust really lovely part of this.” for feminist achievement played a and strengthening relationships. Those interactions have created opportunities Whether it’s enthusiasm for watching 14 /// Purdue Student Life Perspectives Purdue Student Life Perspectives /// 15 Because of 5,900 generous gifts, Student Life raised over $623,000.

PURDUE DAY OF GIVING 04 • 25 • 18

5,900 generous gifts funded student scholarships, activities, travel, performances, uniforms, professional development and leadership opportunities. Thank you.

dayofgiving.purdue.edu | #PurdueDayOfGiving Follow Student Life at /PurdueStudentLife @PurdueStudents