John Norberg, former columnist for the Lafayette Journal & Courier spoke to us about some details of the history of Purdue University. 
John Purdue was born in 1802 and came to Lafayette in 1837. Among other things, Mr. Purdue had a dry goods store and also bought and sold hogs. With his wealth, he was able to contribute $150,000 towards the $440,000 needed to start the university. One of the stipulations of his gift was that the school would be named after him. Another stipulation was that the location would be in Tippecanoe County. Mr. Purdue was a difficult man to get along with, but also quite generous. Another famous Purdue personality was Harvey Wiley. Wiley was a doctor and chemist who was hired as one of the four original Purdue professors. He also was in charge of the men in the dormitory. He was quite popular with the students, but did not find favor with the board of trustees. They reprimanded him for doing such things as riding a bicycle and wearing knickers! He was passed over for the presidency of Purdue because he was a bachelor and didn’t go to church. Subsequently, he went to Washington D.C. to work for the Department of Agriculture. He was instrumental in the passage of the first Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. He also spent years at Good Housekeeping magazine and developing the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. During the presidency of James Smart, Amos Heavilon donated a major sum of money which was used to build Heavilon Hall in 1894. It was a grand structure, but only four days after the dedication of the new building it was completely destroyed by a boiler explosion and resulting fire. This was demoralizing to the Purdue community, but President Short came before the students and faculty in convocation the next day and declared that it would be rebuilt “one brick higher.” That is exactly what happened. The current building by that name is the third such structure on campus.
Norberg shared these and a few other interesting stories about Purdue.
VISITING ROTARIANS:
SUZANN SHACKLETON of the Attica-Williamsport Club.
GUESTS:
Cindy MacDonald, guest of MIKE PIGGOTT; Steve Hychka, husband of SUSAN HYCHKA; and Rudy Klim, husband of IYA KLIM.
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
I (RENEE FIGUEROA) was shocked and delighted by the “singing Valentine” delivered by a group of talented Purdue students at the close of Tuesday’s meeting. This special serenade was sponsored by the Music Committee, and organized by BOB GRIFFITHS. Thanks for this unique treat!