Purdue Global to celebrate more than 2,200 graduates at October commencement ceremonies

Additional activities included for both in-person and virtual graduates

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults, will host commencement ceremonies on Purdue University’s campus Saturday, Oct. 21, for nearly 1,400 in-person graduates and 850 graduates participating in virtual ceremonies.

Due to the record number of individuals graduating in person, three ceremonies are scheduled throughout the day at Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music in West Lafayette. They are (all times Eastern):

• 9 a.m.: Schools of Law, Health Sciences, Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies, and Nursing.
• Noon: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
• 3 p.m.: School of Business and Information Technology.

A special Boilermaker Block Party will be held outside Hovde Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two virtual ceremonies will follow at 5 and 7 p.m.

The graduates, including 393 Indiana residents, represent all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Eighteen countries are represented as well, including Aruba, the Bahamas, Canada, China, India, Peru, the Philippines and Zimbabwe. There are 329 graduates affiliated with the military. Fifty-five systemwide Purdue University employees are among those earning a Purdue Global degree or certificate via the Purdue Global education benefit.

Tickets are not required for admission to Elliott Hall, and all attendees will have any bags checked at the door prior to entry.

Chancellor Frank Dooley will address the graduates, along with more than 10,000 guests, faculty and staff members.

“It’s my pleasure to welcome all of our graduates, their families and friends to campus to celebrate their achievements of earning a degree with Purdue Global all while experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be a Boilermaker,” Dooley said.

Kahil Cole, of Columbus, Georgia, who earned his MBA from Purdue Global in 2022, will give the keynote address. Cole is married and has two children. He is a certified life coach who mentors young adults and is an advocate for women’s shelters and breast cancer awareness. Cole has also written two children’s books.

Additional commencement activities

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, Lynda Mitton will continue Purdue Global’s tradition of giving the “Last Lecture” to graduates. Mitton is a full-time faculty member and teaches psychology courses in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Faculty are nominated by students and then selected for the “Last Lecture” as a testament to their impact on students.

Events on Friday, Oct. 20, include the Nursing Honor Society Induction Ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the Black and Gold Celebration for all in-person graduates from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Purdue Memorial Union. The Purdue for Life Foundation will celebrate the latest Purdue Global active-duty and veteran graduates with a Military Appreciation Dinner in the Purdue Memorial Union. Richard Jimenez, an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force who will receive his bachelor’s degree (with honors) from the School of Business and Information Technology during the commencement ceremonies, will provide the dinner’s keynote address. Richard, his wife, Jenna, and their son Amarion all signed up together to join the U.S. Air Force in July 2020.

More information, including how to watch commencement ceremonies online, can be found at the Commencement Showroom.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

Writer/Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Sources: Beth Smith, Frank Dooley