Boilermaker Educator

Summer 2025

Haven Baker and Phil VanFossen looking at each other and smiling. Haven is wearing a black dress with a colorful handprint stole and Phil is wearing a navy suit with a red striped tie.

Message from the Interim Dean

Dear Boilermaker, 

Greetings! I am very pleased to share with you the latest issue of our e-magazine: Boilermaker Educator. Per usual, this issue is packed with wonderful examples of what makes the College of Education “quinoa in a field of wheat,” but I would like to especially highlight our College of Education Year in Review: 2024. Each month has 3-4 stories worth exploring, and even a quick scroll will give you a very nice overview of the range of faculty and student projects, grants, activities and awards here in the College.

These stories are among the many reasons the College was ranked by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings as #22 in the U.S. for earning a degree in education – #16 among US public universities. We were honored that Times Higher Education (THE) recognized the College (and our faculty, staff, and students) as among the very best places in the U.S. to earn an education degree—and that we were the highest-ranked university in Indiana. This recognition by THE is further evidence of the impact our programs have on P-12 education in the state of Indiana and across the nation.

Not only are our students and faculty supportive of the College, but so are our valuable alumni. These alums stepped up during the most recent Purdue Day of Giving (PDOG), helping us set a record number of gifts (504; a 107% increase from two years ago in 2023)! AND the College won the ‘Faculty/Staff 9 a.m. Challenge’ across the whole university—despite only having ~2% of the faculty at Purdue! We eventually finished 8th at the University for annual percentage increase in gifts and 11th overall for number of gifts—not bad for our “little old College of Education” – well done and thank you!

Boiler Up and Hammer Down!!

Phillip J. VanFossen
Interim Dean, College of Education

AWARDS, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS

Marshay Jolly holding a certificate. Standing with her are Jennifer Smith and Phillip VanFossen.

‘Collaborative, motivated people’: College honors faculty, staff, students in spring awards ceremony

Diann Vernon holding a large check surrounded by Greater Lafayette Commerce members.

Five outstanding Education alumni named 2025 Golden Apple Award winners

F. Richard Olenchak

Olenchak named research director for world’s largest data set on gifted children

Combination graphic of Chrystal Johnson, Stephanie Masta, and Trish Morita-Mullaney

3 College of Education faculty promoted by Purdue trustees

IMPACT

Emily Feist working with a young student at a table in a classroom. They are playing with

Purdue’s IPE-SHINES serves Greater Lafayette high intensity needs K-6 students, trains master’s students

A conference attendee holding a brochure and looking to his side.

Purdue CATALYST hosts “Generational Advances through STEM Education” Jan. 16

Rebekah Hammack

College of Ed professor briefs Congress, NSF on STEM education needs in rural areas

AI/DATA SCIENCE INITIATIVE

Bill Watson conversing with two conference attendees.

How AI could benefit education

Bill Watson

New York Times quotes Watson on ethics of AI

Bill Watson standing at a podium in front of an AI/Data Science presentation.

College’s AI initiative revolutionizes P-12 learning

COLLABORATION AND NEWS

Group photo of ELRC staff at their yearly retreat.

ELRC reflects on 2024 successes, plans for 2025

Lunch & Learn attendees seated at a U-shaped table.

College hosts Global Engagement Lunch & Learn with visiting German scholars

2025 Pinning Ceremony attendees standing on the Loeb Playhouse stage.

2025 Spring pinning ceremony

Office of Development

Development Message From Katie Skeel

It’s hard to believe we’ve already wrapped another successful year on campus! I want to take a moment and say, congratulations and welcome to the newest class of Boilermaker Educator alumni! As you venture into your next adventure, I hope you remember to stay connected with us so you can see all the great events the College will be hosting and so you can stay up to date on all alumni news we share. 

These past few months, the College welcomed over 600 attendees to campus to attend the 10th Annual Indiana STEM Conference in January; we visited and celebrated our donors down in Naples, Florida, for the President’s Council Annual Weekend; we recognized our Education alumni Golden Apple Award winners from Tippecanoe County; and we celebrated the 12th year of Purdue Day of Giving in April! It has been fun getting out and seeing you all at these events and celebrating with you.

As I mentioned above, we celebrated higher education’s most successful fundraising event, Purdue Day of Giving, and the College of Education family came out in full force. Thank you to everyone who participated! Some key College highlights are below:

  1. $130,603 – raised for the College of Education
    • Ranked 29 out of 73 participating units
  2. 504 gifts received
    • Ranked 11 out of 73 units in participation 
    • An increase of 103 gifts from 2024
    • An increase of 249 gifts since 2023 (just over 50% increase)
  3. The College of Education won the 9 a.m. Faculty & Staff Challenge – earning the college an additional $1500 in bonus funds!
  4. The College of Education earned $2500 bonus funds for ranking 11th in participation among the 73 units.

As we look ahead to the fall, please make sure to save the date for a few upcoming events. Check our social media channels this summer for more info about these upcoming events.

  • Saturday, August 30 – Golden Hammer Education Appreciation Football game (Purdue vs. Ball State) – Noon Kickoff
  • Friday, October 3 – Alumni Awards and Donor Appreciation Event
  • Saturday, October 25 – Purdue Football Homecoming (Purdue vs. Rutgers)

Lastly, as the 2025 fiscal year comes to a close, there is still time for you to make an impact for our college. As an additional incentive, a pair of Purdue socks will be sent to those who make a gift of $25 or more. Thanks to all who have made a gift this year to the College – we are ever grateful. As always, I love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to reach out and connect. I look forward to welcoming you back on campus this fall for our many events.

Boiler Up and Hail Purdue!

Katie Skeel
Senior Director of Development
College of Education

Katie Skeel

Indiana Educators

Make this summer a season of growth – learn new skills, earn valuable credentials, and lead your students into the future with knowledge backed by Purdue! Purdue University Online is offering Indiana educators an opportunity to build high-demand skills in Artificial Intelligence and Semiconductors  through flexible, online microcredential programs. Designed to fit your summer schedule, these short, self-paced courses empower you to bring cutting-edge technologies into your classroom and your career. Courses are designed to be completed in about 15 hours and provide practical, real-world knowledge to help you bring cutting-edge technologies into your classroom and career. 

Special Summer Pricing for Indiana Educators: 

  • $49 for your first enrollment if registered by June 30 
  • $1 for your second enrollment if your first course is completed by June 30  
  • Access to all course content ends after Sept. 1 

REGISTER: Use promo code IN49 for your first enrollment. (Your $1 coupon for the second enrollment will be emailed to you in early July if you meet the completion requirements.) 

Artificial Intelligence Microcredentials

Semiconductors for Beginners: Device Fabrication

Subscribe to Indiana Education Insight for free!

For Teachers For Faculty and Staff

Tidbits

A poster titled,

Around the College

The Dean’s new offices on the third floor of Beering Hall have new graphics featuring our students and staff, with our slogan, “A small college experience in a Big Ten environment.” Visit us!

Feature a Boilermaker Educator

To get to know you better, we’d like to feature a Boilermaker Educator alum in each issue. Please nominate a Purdue Education alum you know and tell us why they should be featured. To nominate, email DeEtte Starr.