Purdue Alumni Association records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: UA 182

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Purdue Alumni Association (PAA) records consist of material documenting the history and activity of the PAA. Also included are records relating to the various local and regional Purdue alumni clubs affiliated with the PAA, as well as the records of the PAA’s affiliate organization, the Purdue Black Alumni Organization (PBAO).

The collection includes correspondence between PAA members, alumni, and outside organizations; PAA election ballots, financial documents, committee reports, meeting minutes, and other administrative records; marketing material for Gala Week, Homecoming, Commencement Week, and other alumni events; material published by the PAA or relating to alumni, including The Purdue Pusher, alumni directories, business directories, and annual reports; and planning material and photographs from past events, including Gala Week and staff luncheons.

Dates

1887 - 2008
Majority of material found within 1907 - 1948

Creator

Purdue Alumni Association (Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

Correspondece in Box 5 is restricted due to the presence of sensative information. The remainder of the collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Historical Information

The Purdue Alumni Association (PAA) is an independently financed, nonprofit alumni organization. Through the support of dues-paying members worldwide, it offers its services to all alumni, as well as funding for programs, services, and scholarships offered by the PAA and alumni clubs and groups.

Founded in 1878 as "The General Alumni Association," the association’s purpose was to allow graduates to keep in touch with one another and served as the first entity on campus that communicated to alumni. Satellite clubs were later formed in other parts of the country, with Chicago and Indianapolis being the first in 1890.

In 1912, The Purdue Bulletin became the first publication produced by the association. It became a quarterly publication in 1914 and was renamed the Purdue Alumnus.

In 1927, a state statute was enacted which increased the alumni-elected trustees to the Purdue University Board of Trustees from one to three. Until that time, George Ade had been the sole alumni trustee.

In 2004, The PAA moved to the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center on the south side of campus. In 2021, they merged with the Purdue for Life Foundation.

Extent

2.021 Cubic Feet (One full cubic foot box, one half-full cubic foot box, one letter-size half-width manuscript box, one legal-size half-width manuscript box, and two flat folders.)

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Purdue Alumni Association collection is arranged into seven series by document type and subject matter.

Correspondence
Administrative Records
Marketing Material
Publications
Event Materials
Local Association Records
Purdue Black Alumni Organization

Acquisition Information

Date and source of acquisition for some material is unknown. First known transfer is from the Alunmi Association Office via Kelly Hiller, on August 19th, 2016. Subsequent transfers from the Purdue Alumni Association on July 5, 2019; from the Purdue Alumni Association via Jimmy Cox on June 7, 2019; and from the Purdue Alumni Association via Kat Braz on September 14, 2020.

Processing Information

The original order of the materials has been retained whenever possible. All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes. Brittle paper has been placed in protective sleaves.