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Grandparents University

Take part in the biggest campus event of the summer!

Grandparents University (GPU) is a two-day program designed for grandparents and their grandchildren, ages 7–14. GPU participants are able to pick a major that interests them, attend classes, and even graduate!

This event is an opportunity for the young and young at heart to learn from top Boilermaker faculty and staff; laugh together during hands-on activities, classes, free time, and field trips; and create lasting memories on Purdue’s beautiful West Lafayette campus.

2024 Sessions:
July 18–19 // July 25–26
If you are someone who can relate to both the young and young at heart, Grandparents University needs you! You will have the opportunity to showcase your department and current projects and highlight new facilities and technology. In addition, lead instructors will receive a $400 stipend per session to be used at their discretion to offset program expenses.

Our GPU 2023 event program features details about last year’s majors, schedule, and events—hopefully it fills you with excitement and inspiration!
submit an application

When submitting your application, please be sure to include your availability (Session 1, Session 2, or both) and a tentative course description and examples of activities that could be offered. The GPU planning committee makes every effort to limit class size to 25 participants and will work to accommodate class size based on classroom space and activities. If you need ideas or assistance, please refer to the GPU 2023 event program or use the contact information at the bottom of this webpage.

Two grandparents and their grandchild at a GPU activity
A child smiling up at his grandpa at a GPU event
Grandparents University
Two girls with their hands wrapped around each other in front of Purdue's "World's Largest Drum"
Two kids posing with their grandparents in front of Purdue's John Purdue Fountain holding a Grandparents University sign
A kid cooking a pizza at a GPU event
A child interacting with their grandparents at a GPU event
A kid receiving their GPU diploma from Purdue for Life Foundation's CEO Matt Folk
A kid smiling with their grandparents at a GPU event
A kid holding a model airplane at a GPU event
A group of kids with their grandparents standing in front of Purdue's pool
3 Kids standing in front of a turbine at a GPU event
A child holding a paper Purdue Pete with his grandpa at GPU graduation
A kid standing in front of camera's holding a "clapper"
A group of kids posing in front of Purdue's "Boilermaker Extra Special"
A crowd of people waiting to receive their GPU diploma
GPU Diplomas
A child zip lining at a GPU event
A boy smiling while sticking his hand into a cow at a GPU event
Stars
Spring
Paper airplane flying
Quotation Marks
Question mark hexagonal icon

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!

If you are a Purdue faculty or staff member interested in being an instructor for Grandparents University 2024, please email Leslie Fernung, director of lifelong learning, at lafernung@purdueforlife.org.
Office of Special Events                Phone: 765-494-0900               Email: specialevents@purdueforlife.org

QUESTIONS?


Office of Special Events
If you are a Purdue faculty or staff member interested in being an instructor for Grandparents University 2024, please email Leslie Fernung, director of lifelong learning, at lafernung@purdueforlife.org.

Question mark hexagonal icon

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!

If you are a Purdue faculty or staff member interested in being an instructor for Grandparents University 2024, please email Leslie Fernung, director of lifelong learning, at lafernung@purdueforlife.org.
Purdue for Life Foundation
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President’s Council

John Purdue Club

Patsy J. Mellott

BS College of Health and Human Sciences, 1969
Fishers, IN

Patsy earned a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition in business from Purdue in 1969, in addition to an MBA in food marketing from Michigan State University in 1970. She retired from Kraft Foods in 2006 after 36 years in corporate food marketing and marketing communications management.

A community volunteer, Patsy serves on the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana Advisory Board and the Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s Leadership Council, in addition to the President’s Council Advisory Board. She is a former member of the Health and Human Sciences Alumni Board. Patsy held several offices from 2006 through 2013, including president and treasurer. She serves her community’s Discover Indianapolis Club in Fishers, holding several leadership roles for over 10 years.

Patsy has received several honors, including the Purdue University Nutrition Science Department Hall of Fame recipient in 2009 and the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. She also received the college’s Gold and Black Award in 2016, an honor reserved for donors who have moved the college forward by committing exceptional financial resources.

In addition to endowing two scholarships, the Patsy J. Mellott Scholarship and Patsy J. Mellott HHS Scholarship, she established the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award in the College of Health and Human Sciences in 2013. In 2015, she endowed the Patsy J. Mellott Women’s Tennis Coach Performance Award. She is a lead donor in the Christine M. Ladisch Faculty Leadership Award and the Purdue Women’s Network Virginia C. Meredith Scholarship for the College of Health and Human Sciences.