Purdue Foundation Student Board records

The Purdue Foundation Student Board (PFSB) was established by the University Relations Office in January 1976 as the Council for Special Events. The Council’s purpose was to plan and promote events that encouraged public engagement with Purdue, including “Focus on Purdue” and Patents’ Weekend, also known as Parents’ Day. By 1977, the Council had expanded and organized itself into several committees, which were each responsible for coordinating different activities and events. These included the Parents’ Day, Campus Tour, Speaker’s Bureau, Communications, and Telethon committees.

With the formation of the Telethon committee, the Council expanded its efforts towards philanthropic endeavors. Working with the University Development Office, the committee planned and executed Purdue’s first “phone-a-thon” in January 1978, which utilized student volunteers to call Purdue alumni and solicit donations for the university’s Annual Fund.

In 1983, the Council was renamed to the Purdue Foundation Student Board. By this time, the PFSB’s mission had shifted to creating greater student awareness of and involvement in Purdue’s fund raising and public relations endeavors.

As of 2024, the PFSB’s mission continues to be engaging students and alumni in Purdue’s philanthropic initiatives, and planning and hosting events that engage the Purdue community. Its current committees include Diversity and Inclusion, Events, Marketing and Communication, Philanthropy, and Recruitment and Outreach. Events hosted by the PFSB include the “Why Give?” initiative, Student Organization Alumni Relations (SOAR), Purdue Day of Giving, Build Dinner, and President’s Council events.