This Is Purdue Purdue University

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Willie Reed, dean of Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  

Join us as we celebrate Reed’s legacy as he prepares to step down after 17 years as dean. When you listen to this episode, you can expect to: 

Learn more about Dean Reed’s incredible journey of persistence — from being taught first grade by his grandmother in southern Alabama to becoming dean of one of the top veterinary schools in the country.  

Discover what led Dean Reed to pursue a career as a veterinarian as he discusses his love for animals and current pathology research happening at Purdue. 

Explore Purdue’s research on the human-animal bond and how animals have a positive effect on human mental and physical health. 

Take a closer look at how Dean Reed’s efforts have met the increasing demand for veterinary professionals by expanding and adapting the College of Veterinary Medicine’s world-class facilities.  

Find out about Dean Reed’s future endeavors, including mentoring students in underrepresented communities to teach them the path to becoming a veterinarian.  


“There’s something about the Purdue spirit that is unique,” Dean Reed says. “When you come here, this is a place where dreams can come true.” 

Don’t miss this episode celebrating the legacy of a Purdue icon who has dedicated his career to positively impacting the lives of animals, students and the entire Boilermaker community.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re discussing the return of commercial flights to the Purdue University Airport and highlighting the university’s renowned history in aviation.  

Listen as Adam Baxmeyer (BS aviation administration ’02; MPA ’22, Purdue Global), director of the Purdue University Airport, and Rob Wynkoop, vice president of Auxiliary Services, share the importance of the Purdue Airport building upon the university’s nearly 100-year legacy in aviation excellence.  

After 20 years commercial flights are returning to the Purdue University Airport, connecting West Lafayette and Chicago. Find out how the Purdue University Airport offers more convenient and cost-effective travel options for the Greater Lafayette community. 

Plus, you’ll learn more about the largest classroom on campus — the Purdue Airport — as Tom Carney (AAS general aviation ’70; BS professional flight technology ’71; MS aviation climatology ’77; PhD atmospheric sciences and meteorology ’84), professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Aviation Technology, delves into the history of why Purdue has one of the strongest aviation programs in the country.  

“There's no other place I could have flown the former president, Jimmy Carter, or the Dalai Lama or the first and last astronauts to walk on the moon than at Purdue University,” Tom says. 

We also take you behind the scenes with Tom in Purdue’s Hawker 900XP full-motion simulator. This level D flight simulator — the highest level available — imitates all the aircraft systems that are accessible in the cockpit. You don’t want to miss this special episode! 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to three Boilermakers who work behind the scenes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to execute “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — the Indianapolis 500. 

Listen as David Letherman (BS management ’15), senior manager of event personnel; Meredith Walker (BS management, marketing ’11), senior manager of VIP and talent experience; and Louis Kissinger (BS chemical engineering ’17), senior manager of events and administration, share how the problem-solving skills they learned during their time at Purdue prepared them to host hundreds of thousands of people at the iconic IMS. 

Plus, you’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories on the infectious buzz surrounding the month of May in Indianapolis, can’t-miss Indy 500 events and the best spots to watch the race. They also look ahead to the future and discuss why Indy 500 attendance numbers are rising with new partnerships and explain more about the events intended to attract new audiences and enhance existing fans’ experience. 

The IMS hosts more than 200 events each year, and David, Meredith and Louis have dedicated their careers to making sure every guest — race fan or not — has an unforgettable experience at this legendary venue.  

Don’t miss this episode as these three Boilermakers go in-depth on what it takes — and how it feels — to pull off the largest single-day sporting event in the world.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to five members of Purdue’s Cradle of Astronauts: Sirisha Bandla (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’11), Drew Feustel (BS solid earth sciences ’89, MS geophysics ’91), Beth Moses (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’92, MS aeronautics and astronautics ’94), Mark Polansky (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’78, MS aeronautics and astronautics ’78) and Audrey Powers (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering ’99). 

These five Purdue astronauts came together for the first time at the live “This Is Purdue” podcast panel during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Event, presented by Purdue University.  

Listen as this panel of astronauts, which includes Boilermakers with both NASA and commercial spaceflight backgrounds at Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Barrios Technology, share what they found most surprising about their personal experiences in space, the specialness behind viewing a total solar eclipse with more than 50,000 people at the iconic IMS and their perspectives on where the future of spaceflight is heading. 

Plus, you’ll hear how the journeys and legacies of past Boilermaker astronauts brought them to Purdue, how their passion for space exploration deepened as students and what it means to them to inspire the next generation to take the leap into space as future members of Purdue’s Cradle of Astronauts. 

Check out this memorable episode — it’s only on “This Is Purdue,” the official Purdue University podcast! 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Erik Miller, owner and winemaker of Kokomo Winery and Breaking Bread Winery.  

Listen as Erik (BS organizational leadership ’99) shares the journey of working his way up from a wine harvest intern to conceptualizing and later founding his own winery in Healdsburg, California, in the heart of Sonoma County.

Erik’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped make Kokomo Winery an award-winning winery in California, where becoming a household name is increasingly difficult. He dives into the story behind the name, which highlights his appreciation for his Indiana roots and instills a warm, Midwestern atmosphere inside the winery. And he encourages all Midwesterners, especially Boilermakers, to come say hi if they ever find themselves near Kokomo Winery! 

You’ll also learn more about the winemaking process as Erik delves into his latest entrepreneurial endeavor, Breaking Bread Winery, a line of natural wines best enjoyed with a meal. Plus, he discusses his collaboration with the Purdue for Life Foundation to create special edition Boilermaker wines — which sell out every year. 

Erik recently returned to campus for the 2023 Purdue Entrepreneurial Alumni Reunion, which celebrated the legacy of Boilermaker entrepreneurs, and you’ll hear how his experiences at Purdue equipped him to exhibit the entrepreneurial mindset that the university is working to cultivate through its new Purdue Innovates initiative.  

Don’t miss the story of this Boilermaker who used his persistence and innovation to turn his passion for winemaking into his own successful business more than 2,000 miles away from his hometown roots. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to PGA Tour golfer Adam Schenk. 

Adam is a Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business alum and former first-team All-Big Ten Purdue men’s golfer, who has spent nearly a decade dedicated to his full-time career on the golf course. During this time, he secured his PGA Tour card and rapidly ascended the leaderboard, often competing alongside some of the world's top-ranked golfers. The 2023 season took him to new heights pursuing his first PGA Tour win and, in 2024, he continues that chase while preparing to play his first Masters.  

Listen as he takes us back to his time playing for the Purdue men’s golf team, recounting his first collegiate tournament and what it felt like winning for a team, not just himself. Frequently returning to the Purdue golf courses, he loves mentoring and playing with current Boilermaker golfers, while practicing his own swing and preparing for major tournaments like the U.S. Open. 

With his golden retriever, Bunker, at his side during practice, Adam discusses how he prepares to play with pro golf legends like Rory McIlroy on some of the most famous courses across the country. Adam says he loves seeing plenty of spectators in Purdue clothing and often hears a distant “Boiler Up!” from the bustling crowds at PGA tournaments. 

Plus, Adam reflects on his unique friendship with his mentor, Purdue men’s golf coach Rob Bradley, who joins the podcast to discuss this duo’s journey from Purdue to the PGA Tour. 

You don’t want to miss this conversation with a Boilermaker who is taking giant leaps in the world of professional golf.