In the age of social media, artificial intelligence, and robots, one thing has remained constant—good old-fashioned mail. No matter where you live, you likely have a mailbox.
But not every mailbox tells the same story.
Boilermaker spirit truly knows no bounds, and a decorative capsule for bills and letters is just one of the many ways alumni, friends, and fans show their love for Purdue.
Here, proud Boilermakers share some unique ways they’ve put a stamp on their allegiance to the university.
If you’ve worked at Purdue and have been a volunteer firefighter for 40 years, there is only one appropriate mailbox for you. So says Don Biehle (A’77), who, with the blessing of his wife, Anita, designed, built, and installed a one-of-a-kind Purdue fire hydrant mailbox 30 years ago.
A retired superintendent of the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, Don has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Campbell Township Volunteer Fire Department since 1993. “The mailbox has stood the test of time,” Don says. “An occasional new paint job is all that is required to continue to show our support of Purdue University and volunteer firefighters.”
The Biehles’ rural mailbox is large, sturdy, and spirited. Thanks to Anita, who served as a postmaster for 20 years, it also meets all the requirements of the United States Postal Service. She ensured the mailbox would be fully functional and not just a decorative piece.
The Biehles are truly a Purdue family. Don and Anita have three Boilermaker children, two of whom married Purdue graduates. “Most people know our connection to Purdue and understand the mailbox,” Don says. “But one of the most common questions is ‘Where did you get the fire hydrant?’ Funnily, the fire hydrant came from the junk pile at the Purdue farm where I worked.”
The ravages of time, a growing Boilermaker identity, and public outcry over conflicting loyalties are what led Marija and Mick Milivojac to reimagine their mailbox along Purdue lines.
The couple purchased a University of Michigan mailbox 15 years ago to show their pride for Marija’s alma mater. When their oldest daughter, Nina (M’19), graduated from Purdue and their youngest daughter, Dara, committed to the university, Mick decided it was time to paint over the faded maize and blue with old gold and black. Their Boilermaker family continued to expand, with Nina’s husband and Marija’s niece also obtaining degrees from the university.
The reborn mailbox debuted at Dara’s high school graduation party, and it has enjoyed a wonderful second life ever since.
“Our Purdue mailbox has had only happy days in our neighborhood—unlike the original, which received some torment from neighbors,” Marija says. “The delivery folks are usually told to look for the Purdue mailbox. When a delivery man came to our home during March Madness, he asked me, ‘What time does Purdue play?’”
Although she was born and raised in Michigan, Marija’s growing Purdue family has made her a regular visitor to campus. “I have always been a huge fan of college sports, supporting both Michigan and Purdue,” Marija says. “We are Purdue football season-ticket holders, and we attend various Purdue Athletics events—including Purdue wrestling, as Dara’s boyfriend is on the team. Our mailbox makes it clear who we’re rooting for.”
Westwood Manor, located off McCormick Road near campus, has served as the home of Purdue presidents since the 1970s. It was donated to the university by R.B. Stewart, a prominent Purdue administrator who built the house 40 years prior.
Six presidents have lived at Westwood, each adding their own mark to better accommodate the thousands of guests who stop by for dinner or special events each year. One of Westwood’s many special features is its mailbox, which is modeled after the university’s mascot.
“I believe President Steven Beering, who held the position from 1983 to 2000, initiated the installation of the mailbox to signify Purdue’s long-admired Boilermaker Special,” says Anthony Cawdron, who started working as events director at Westwood in 2000. “The original train was locally crafted by a Purdue Physical Facilities employee, who crafted wood as a hobby. Unfortunately, that unique piece has had to be replaced several times over the years.”
Cawdron carries on the tradition, working with a trusted vendor who customizes each mailbox to fit Purdue’s iconic style.
Students, alumni, friends, and fans frequently commemorate a visit to Westwood with a picture next to the mailbox. This popular photo spot has attracted even more attention since the mailbox was recently moved to a flower bed located farther away from the front porch.
“It’s definitely a stopping point for visitors,” Cawdron says. “The mailbox plus the manor makes for a very memorable image.”
Considered the front door of Purdue, Westwood delivers Boilermaker spirit in style. After all, how else could the president of the university be expected to collect the mail?
—Nicolle Kain, Purdue for Life Foundation writer/editor
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