Celebrating 100 Years of History at the Purdue Memorial Union

This Is Purdue

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Bob Mindrum, former director of the Purdue Memorial Union and author of “Purdue Memorial Union, The First 100 Years, 1924 to 2024.”

The Purdue Memorial Union — a longtime centerpiece of Purdue’s campus — is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Sept. 9, 2024.

In this episode you will:

• Learn about the history of the iconic Purdue Memorial Union from its fundraising efforts in the early 1900s to the newest renovations, like the Purdue Union Club Hotel.
• Explore the symbolic architecture by Pond & Pond architects, who also designed the unions at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and the University of Kansas.
• Discover why PMU became a memorial for the Boilermaker military community and the ways this military significance is represented throughout the Union.
• Get to know how the Union has served students over the decades from socializing at events like Singleton Shuffles and junior proms to gathering for concerts by popular musicians like Frank Sinatra and Sonny & Cher to studying in the East and West Main lounges.
• Find out how the PMU will continue to serve future generations of Boilermakers.

If you’re interested in history, you’re in for a treat with this episode, Boilermakers! Join us in celebrating 100 years of this beloved campus icon.