The stories of our Victories & Heroes

Every victory has a story, and every hero leaves an impact. From transformative research to inspiring alumni and student successes, we celebrate the people and achievements making a difference at Purdue Agriculture and beyond.

News & Stories

Mark Russell photograph taken in the Purdue Union

More than a horseman: Mark Russell’s lifelong commitment to helping others grow — 27 January 2026

For some people at Purdue, he is known as a horse expert, a respected colleague who listens, a professor who cares. To others, he has been an...

Ian Rimer

Ian Rimer - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight — 03 December 2025

Growing up in Greenwood, Indiana, Ian Rimer was the quintessential outdoor kid, spending most of his time running around in cornfields or exploring...

Sam and Kelly Williams are pictured on their farm in West Virginia’s South Branch Valley.

Community Champions — 17 November 2025

Sam and Kelly Williams, alumni of Purdue’s agricultural economics program, are hometown heroes in West Virginia’s South Branch Valley....

Student Trustee Reagan Koester

Reagan Koester’s keys to success: Say yes and pay it forward — 06 November 2025

Reagan Koester was 30 minutes into the eight-hour drive from her internship in Iowa to her parents’ home in Wadesville, Indiana, when her...

Bill and CD Young at a table in front of greenery in the Spirit and Elephant restaurant.

Purdue hosts Plant-based Foods Product Development and Marketing Competition — 02 October 2025

A generous gift from the Young Family will drive food innovation at Purdue University over the next eight years by funding the new Plant-based...

Chuyan Chen served as a panelist last year at NASA’s Deep Space Food Symposium. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Ohio State University

Food science alumna preps fare for low-Earth orbit and beyond — 23 September 2025

Shortly after Neil Armstrong died on Aug. 25, 2012, Chuyan Chen noticed a lone white flower next to his statue on the Purdue campus. Chen had yet...

Distinguished Ag Alumni

College of Agriculture adds 6 to ranks of Distinguished Ag Alumni — 19 September 2025

The College of Agriculture recognized six alumni at the Distinguished Agricultural Alumni award ceremony on Sept. 19, 2025.

Halee Fisher infant of the White House in her cap and gown.

Purdue alumna Halee Fisher grows a career at the USDA — 16 September 2025

Purdue University alumna Halee Fisher, who earned degrees in Agricultural Economics and Political Science, was recently appointed as the Senior...

Headshot of Samantha Miller, new director of corporate business development, with a lake and trees in the background.

Purdue appoints director of corporate business development — 23 July 2025

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Miller as its...

Close up of tomatoes on a vine at Huffman and Hawbaker Farms near West Point, Indiana

Tomatoes, teamwork and transformation: How food science alumna cultivates ketchup quality — 16 July 2025

When most people think of food science, they imagine chefs in test kitchens or technicians in labs, but for Ashley Maners—an Indiana native...

Barry Delks in the Animal Science building at Purdue

A legacy of service: honoring Barry Delks and his commitment to student success — 08 July 2025

Thirty-five years ago, Barry Delks returned to his alma mater, Purdue University, with one goal in mind: to serve students. "I believe...

Purdue Alumni and John Deere employees stand by a tractor they have had a part in designing.

ABE alumni drive hydraulic innovation at John Deere — 23 June 2025

The iconic green John Deere tractor is evolving with an exciting new option – a battery electric model with an innovative hydraulic system...

Patrick Trainor social

Carrying on Pat’s dream: One family’s gift inspires future animal caregivers — 16 April 2025

"A lifelong love of animals and a smile to share with everyone," are the words Don Trainor would use to describe his late son, Patrick...

Craig Anderson headshot.

Anderson named CEO of Ag Alumni Seed — 10 April 2025

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Agriculture Alumni Seed Improvement Association Inc. (Ag Alumni Seed) has appointed Craig Anderson as its chief...