For more than 100 years, Purdue Alumni Clubs have been promoting Purdue pride in communities around the nation, and they are currently expanding around the world. These clubs reunite Boilermakers to network, socialize, and relive their Purdue memories even though the location may be many miles from campus. Often alumni gather for a game watch, community service event, or golf outing, but a point of pride behind many clubs is their scholarship program. Its presence may be subtle in the form of a silent auction, extra giving option on the event RSVP form, or raffle, but the impact on their local students is in some cases life changing.

One such example is Bailey O’Malley. She is a junior from Granger, Indiana, studying chemical engineering with a minor in statistics. She was a recipient of a scholarship from the Purdue Alumni Club of St. Joe Valley. “The Purdue Alumni club’s generous scholarship has allowed me the peace of mind to pursue my academic interests and be involved in organizations that I am passionate about without having to worry about taking up a part-time job,” she says. 

The St. Joe Valley club is just one of 65 clubs that have scholarship programs. In 2015, Purdue Alumni clubs awarded $340,350 to 271 students from their local communities. This has grown from only 29 clubs giving out $84,000 in 2004, which was the first year for tracking the alumni club scholarship information. Ben Paolillo, senior director of alumni clubs, oversees the club program as well as serves as the staff liaison between clubs and the Division of Financial Aid at Purdue.

“Scholarship programs really give alumni clubs a focus because everyone can get behind the program and wants to see students in their area become Boilermakers. Everyone can rally and make a difference in the life of a student from their community.”

Club leaders echo Paolillo. Gordon Mallett (S’49, MS S’52, PhD S’56) is a long-time member of the Purdue Alumni Club of Indianapolis. Through the years, he has served in various leadership roles and has supported the club’s scholarship efforts. “My years at Purdue University were some of the best years of my life — a time of learning, growth, and achievement, as well as a lot of fun. I enjoy associating with members of the local alumni club who share the same experience and attitude,” he says. It is this common bond that makes the program so unique.

“I think it means a lot to the students to know that local alumni are supporting education and support Purdue students,” says Bill Kuhn (A’68), Purdue Alumni Club of Central Iowa. “It shows that local alumni are proud and supportive of Purdue.” A gesture that is even more impactful on students coming from outside of Indiana.

“The fact that my scholarship is backed by local alumni means a lot to me. It is great to know that I have such a vast network of alumni from New England that are willing to support me as they believe that I will be able to make a difference at Purdue.”

—Kyle Hannon

“Being an out-of-state student, paying for Purdue is a challenge,” explains Kyle Hannon, an electrical engineering freshman from Boston. “This scholarship helped take the edge off of extra expenses and also helped pay for my books.”

Whether it’s books, tuition, or living expenses, alumni clubs are helping ease the financial load of local students. With scholarship award totals continuing to increase each year, they are paying it forward year after year to more and more students.