If you took the bait last week and guessed Purdue University (my employer), Tri High School (you have known me for a long time) and Hanover College (my undergraduate alma mater), then you win the prize—friend for life! Three weekends in a row for the Homecoming celebrations, two in the books now and Hanover’s coming up first weekend in October. These three celebrations—and the schools involved—probably couldn’t seem much different to you, but bear with me and I will pull this together in the end.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1869 shortly after the end of the Civil War, Purdue was—and remains—the state of Indiana’s only land-grant university. What that meant then was that President Lincoln was quite visionary, knowing that education would be the key to lifting the reunited nation out of the ravages of war. By educating not only the elite, but sons (and now daughters) in those skills necessary for economic recovery, the Morrill Act spurred states around the nation to begin offering post-secondary programs in what was then called the agricultural and mechanical arts. That became the foundation for Purdue’s world-class agricultural and engineering programs.
If you did some quick math in your head, you caught that it has been 149 years since Purdue’s founding. At Homecoming 2018 the University launched a yearlong celebration, 150 Years of Giant Leaps, to culminate at Homecoming 2019, commemorating that major milestone. You may recognize the “giant leaps” part of the theme as coming from astronaut, Boilermaker and first man to walk on the moon, the late Neil Armstrong, in 1969—during Purdue’s centennial year. I’m convinced Neil, NASA and Purdue planned that perfectly timed walk! This overarching theme will not only celebrate the many advances brought about during the first 150 years at the University but perhaps more importantly, investigate and explore how the University’s capabilities can be harnessed to tackle the world’s major challenges in the next 150 years. Stay tuned—great minds at work!
But Homecoming isn’t Homecoming without football at Ross-Ade Stadium, not in West Lafayette. So for the Boilermaker faithful, Coach Brohm and team pulled off the first win of the season over No. 23 ranked Boston College. With Boston College the favorite going in, Purdue pulled off an astounding 30-13 upset over a nationally ranked team for the first time since 2011. By following up a week later with a win over Big Ten team Nebraska 42-28, the Purdue team now has a win both home and away. But two W’s don’t make for much of a streak, so long road still ahead.
TRI HIGH SCHOOL
Still largely surrounded by cornfields in rural southeast Henry County, a few miles north of the small town of Lewisville on S. R. 103 sits Tri Jr.-Sr. High School. Tri is my high school alma mater, and this past weekend was our Homecoming. In 1969 both the elementary and high school buildings were opened. With the quick math in the head again, you now know that my high school also has a milestone celebration coming up next year. Taking a page from Purdue’s playbook, the 50th anniversary celebration planning committee launched our plans at Homecoming 2018 for the coming year, to culminate at Homecoming 2019. While our parallels with the big University to the northwest are modest, they are nonetheless notable.
The president of my graduating class, our valedictorian, and her husband are all three Purdue graduates. Many others from our school are as well. To grant equal time, many also went to IU, Ball State, ISU, and even a few to my alma mater, Hanover College. More on that later. As the planning committee has grown, alumni from several decades have joined in to share ideas, working toward a common cause. Many of us didn’t know each other while we were in school, what with our age differences, but we are learning of our shared connections through parents, children, cousins, friends and neighbors in common—everything you would expect from a group of small communities over nearly half a century. We are hoping that plans for Homecoming 2019, to include things like big tents, tailgating (G-rated, of course), and a big parade with Homecoming royalty from all 50 years returning will be remembered for years to come.
And of course, there was the football. Not so grand and glorious as the W at Ross-Ade the weekend before. In fact, perennial cross-county rival Knightstown handed us a drubbing 74-34. Sounds more like a lopsided 7th grade basketball score. But we had a great time working together as a multi-generational committee on a common cause and getting to hear our big announcement booming out from the press box. Turned out the announcer was Ron Chew, older brother of my classmate and friend Shirley. Yes, it is a small school.
HANOVER COLLEGE
This coming weekend I will be traveling to the southeastern corner of the state, to one of my favorite places anywhere. If you haven’t visited that part of the state, I highly recommend it. Not only the campus itself, but the town of Madison and Clifty Falls State Park, all have great attributes to recommend that region as a tourist draw. But I digress. Even though this year isn’t a milestone reunion year for my class, it is for the Class of 1978, so several of my dear friends will be there for me to see and catch up with.
Beyond the beauty of the campus, Hanover represents the other end of the spectrum from Purdue in terms of four-year post-secondary institutions in Indiana. Founded in 1827, it is actually a little older than Purdue. The oldest private college in Indiana, I found it to be a liberal arts institution that suited my needs when I first visited as a high school student. Coming from a very small high school (see above), I found the size of Purdue, IU, even Ball State intimidating. Fearing I would get lost in the shuffle in one of those bigger state schools, a school the size of Hanover (then 1000, now approaching 1200 students) just about right. Fortunately, the academic program, liberal arts and a business administration major, fit as well.
As for the Homecoming football game, Hanover comes in at 2-2 (2-0 in HCAC conference play), fresh off a 55-8 win at Anderson University’s Homecoming. HCAC opponent Earlham College comes in at 0-5. However, never write off an underdog (see Boston College at Purdue above). The outcome of this third game will have to wait, so watch for it if you are curious. Suffice it to say whatever happens on the field, I will enjoy a weekend reconnecting with dear friends in the stands and around campus.
IN CLOSING
What do all of these institutions of learning and others around the state have in common? For many decades they have broadened the scope of opportunities for our citizens of all ages. I always tell people that our state is richly blessed with schools of all sizes, and varied academic programs, for our people to prepare for their future and the needs of our employers. As we look ahead to the coming decades—and centuries—we need to celebrate their legacy and be grateful as we look forward. Ask yourself, what are you doing to help educate the next generations, either directly or indirectly? It’s up to all of us!
Thanks for reading. Looking forward to your comments and connections.
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