31. Cupola
In 1919, after the end of the Great War, a new barn was opened to house horses used to tend the field west of Purdue’s campus. The Purdue Agriculturalist reported, “University authorities are confident that the horse will not be eliminated from the farm by [the] tractor.” By the 1950s, however, modern needs presented themselves, and the Herrick Laboratories — run by Mechanical Engineering — were opened to study heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Although horses have long been absent, the cupola from the original barn has been included in the building’s design in tribute to the site’s heritage.
See the cupola perched atop Herrick Laboratories.
32. Deac’s Matchbook
Horace Reisner (CE’1903) operated Deac’s, a student book and supply store located at 325 State Street in part of the building now occupied by Von’s. Deac’s was the major campus bookstore of the early to mid-20th century. This matchbook was discovered during the renovations of Pappy’s Sweet Shop in 2004. Reisner was the class yell leader in his senior year. He later established the H.G. Reisner Cup, awarded to the winner of an all-campus literary competition.
Deac’s was located in the Stinespring- Murdock Building, which now houses Von’s.
33. Deans’ Bible
When Carolyn Shoemaker (S’1888, MS S’1889), the first part-time dean of women, passed away unexpectedly in 1933, she left a Holy Bible in her desk. Her successor, Dorothy Stratton (HDR E’58), discovered the tome in a drawer and kept it there. When Helen Schleman was named the next dean of women, Stratton pulled the Bible from the drawer, signed her name, and added her favorite Bible passage and date in the front. The Bible was similarly passed to three more successive deans — Beverley Stone (HDR LA’86), Barbara Cook (PhD EDU’67, HDR LA’96), and Betty Nelson — before it was donated to Purdue Archives 100 years after Shoemaker’s appointment as the first dean of women.
Read more about the Deans’ Bible.
34. The Debris
Purdue’s official yearbook, the Debris, was first issued in 1889 and featured early works by John T. McCutcheon (S’89, HDR LA’26), who became known as the Dean of American Cartoonists. His political cartoons earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1932. McCutcheon named the yearbook Debris on the erroneous belief that “debris” was French for “a collection of works.” The final edition was published in 2008.
Thumb through copies of the Debris yearbook in Morse Library at the Dauch Alumni Center.
Explore digital copies of the Debris yearbook in the e-Archives.
35. Dignified Step
President Martin Jischke presided over his first commencement ceremony in 2000. His wife, Patty Fowler Jischke, watched from the audience, dismayed by the laughter that resulted when the graduate school dean accidentally knocked a doctoral recipient’s tam askew during the ceremonial hooding. It seemed incongruent to Mrs. Jischke that one of the most significant moments of a student’s collegiate experience would be interrupted by snickering. A carpeted stand used with lecterns at Westwood was brought in for a few ceremonies before master carpenter Skip Eads built a custom art deco-accented platform inspired by the architecture in Elliott Hall. Dubbed the dignified step by commencement staff, it enables faculty to hood degree recipients without affecting their headwear.
36. Dining Hall Tray
Few things showcase student creativity and ingenuity more than Slayter Hill after a big snowfall. Students careen down the slope on all manner of objects — couches, mattresses, and cardboard covered with trash bags. But the old standby was always cafeteria trays swiped from campus dining halls. Today’s students must fend for themselves; the dining halls went trayless in 2010 to reduce waste and improve sustainability.
37. Diversity Tree
Located outside the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, the Diversity Tree celebrates the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council and is often painted with the letters of those member organizations. Its inspiration comes from gathering spaces called plots found on historically black college and university campuses, where student organizations assemble and promote their events. Plots differ by size and shape from campus to campus and may be designated by bricks, benches, painted trees, marble stones, or memorial gardens.
See the Diversity Tree outside Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.
38. Drew Brees’s Football
On October 18, 2018, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (M’01) became the most prolific passer in NFL history. His record-breaking pass completed a 62-yard touchdown to Tre’Quan Smith. The 39-year-old signal caller was honored with a brief break in play and a standing ovation from players and fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brees ended the game with 72,103 career passing yards. The record-breaking ball is on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He sent ball 4/51 from that game to Orlando Itin, owner of Bruno’s Pizza in West Lafayette. Itin has amassed a collection of thousands of items related to Purdue Athletics, many of which are on display at the restaurant in Big O’s Sports Room, but calls this ball his most prized possession.
39. Duane Purvis Burger
At one time, more than 100 Triple XXX Thirst Stations were spread across the United States and Canada. The West Lafayette diner, opened in 1929, is the only official Triple XXX remaining. On the menu: the Duane Purvis All American, a steakburger served with peanut butter and cheese. Peanut butter on a burger? It sounds strange until you try it, washed down with a frosty mug of root beer. Purvis (HHS’35), a halfback and fullback who earned All-American honors in 1933 and 1934, frequented the Triple XXX and was apparently a fan of peanut butter.
Sink your teeth into a Duane Purvis Burger at Triple XXX.
Courtesy of the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center, Purdue University Libraries
40. Earhart’s Leather Helmet
Worn by Amelia Earhart on her 1932 solo Atlantic flight, this leather helmet is part of the George Palmer Putnam Collection of Earhart Papers at the Purdue Archives. Purdue is home to the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of Earhart-related papers, memorabilia, and artifacts.