Personalized his Boilermaker experience and discovered where his passions lie

Chase Gripp

Hometown: Sheffield, Illinois

High school: Bureau Valley High School

Major & Concentration: Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Economics

Why did you come to Purdue: Originally, my only major was ASM. Purdue has the top rated Ag & Biological Engineering program in the world – which houses the ASM major. I wanted to be among the best and knew Purdue was the place for me. Purdue also carries prestige with the name. Many great things and individuals have come out of Purdue, I want to be one of those induvial and leave a lasting impact and legacy.

Favorite Purdue tradition: Grand Prix

Top three influences at Purdue:

Dr. Fernandez
Wanting to leave a legacy at Purdue
Being surround by so many successful peers

Five words to describe Purdue:

Influential
Revolutionary
Pride
Successful
Transcending

Top five highlights of your career:

Purdue beating Ohio State
FarmHouse winning BMOC 3 years in a row
Purdue going to a bowl game
2019 March Madness run
Record breaking Hammer Down Hunger – packing 150,000 meals to be distributed around the world

Something you wish you would have done at Purdue: I wish I would have attended more basketball and football games

Places you have been as a Purdue student:

Study abroad in New Zealand
DeLong Company Internship in Clinton, WI
Cargill Internship virtually from home during Summer 2020
FarmHouse Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO

Have to redo college in a major not in Ag: Mechanical Engineering

Favorite club/organization: Issues-360

Favorite Student-led event/initiative: BMOC by Zeta Tau Alpha

Favorite Purdue event: Grand Prix

Favorite place to study: Basement of FarmHouse Fraternity

Over your career where were you most likely to be found on campus: Lilly Hall

Favorite spot on campus: Bell Tower

Favorite thing about CoA: Everyone in the CoA is so close. From the very beginning, even though the campus and CoA is so huge, Purdue has felt like another family to me.

Favorite thing about AGEC: Professors are so involved with their students and the classes. All the professors devote more time than imaginable to their classes, or to the students outside of class hours to help us grow and be successful.

Favorite thing about your major: There is so much fluidity and flexibility in both my majors. I can cover almost any industry I want with my studies and have a wide variety of careers and paths I can take if you know the correct approach.

Favorite class: AGEC 331 – Principles of Selling in Agricultural Business

Favorite professor: Dr. Bob Stwalley

Coolest project: My favorite project so far (doing capstones this year) has definitely been Ready, Set, Sell in AGEC 331. I really enjoy everything about the sales process and industry. Actually, presenting the product at the end and seeing you work payoff was also very enjoyable.

Three biggest accomplishments:

Being named Most Outstanding Sophomore in both departments: ABE and AGEC
Serving on the executive team for Farmhouse Fraternity
Being a Presidential Scholar

Things on your resume not listed above: I have also farmed on my own the entire time I have been at Purdue.

Three words to describe you:

Adaptable
Laid-back
Extroverted

What are you passionate for: I am extremely passionate about taking advantage of all opportunities and trying to make an impact. Purdue gives students so many chances for success and we have any resource imaginable at our disposal. I think it is only right to try and make a difference, and give back to Purdue for all it has done for us as students.

What intrigues you about the Ag industry: I am a 6^th generation farmer. I have been around agriculture my entire life and it is apart of me. I know the industry will always be here to feed the world and overcome any obstacle. I look forward to being on that journey for the rest of my life.

What motivates you: So many people have told me I am going to do great things and have supported me along my way. I do not want to let them down or waste the potential that I know I possess. I want to be great.

Favorite quote: "A hunt based only on trophies taken, falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be." – Fred Bear

Personal Motto: Enjoy the little things and have fun along the way, but always strive to be the best at anything you do

Accepted employment: I have accepted a full time position with Cargill as a Grain Origination Sales Associate.

Advice for underclassman: Explore everything in and out of Purdue. Get multiple internships, go on a study abroad, and join a ton of organizations. It may take until your senior year like me, but you will find where your passion lies. Just get out there and get involved.

Biggest takeaway from Purdue: Your Purdue experience is what you make it to be. It is extremely easy for students to have memories, networks, and successes at Purdue that will last a lifetime. Being a Boilermaker means setting the tone and always working hard. Purdue will reward its students for doing that on campus. If you take advantage of what Purdue has to offer, you will get a college experience that is the best in the country.