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

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 - 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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...