Ever Grateful.... What We Are Thankful for this Thanksgiving Season

It has been a crazy couple of years, to say the least. Things have not entirely gotten back to the way they used to be, but there are still so many great things to be thankful for this holiday season. So, with Thanksgiving coming this Thursday, we wanted to share with you the things we are thankful for as Boilermakers this year.

1. We are thankful for in-person sports!

College game-days are such a fun and exciting part of the college experience, and going to a Big 10 school such as Purdue means a unique and exciting atmosphere on game days. This year, all sporting events are live and in person once again, and we get to experience being fans in the stands. Kendall Dewey (CEM ‘24) says this is what she is thankful for this year because, “...football and basketball games were one of the top things I was looking forward to as a student. It is so crazy how last year we weren’t even allowed to watch in-person, and this year we got to rush the field after winning the football game against Michigan State.” Being able to watch sports in person and support Purdue athletics is truly a gift that we are thankful for this year.

2. We are thankful for in-person classes!

Because of the unknowns that came along with the pandemic last year, many classes (especially the larger general education classes) were mostly or entirely online. Because of this, many students were forced to stay home--which is the case for most international students--and be isolated from one another. This year, most, if not all, classes have in-person instruction and the vast majority of students were able to return to campus or come back for the first time. For students like Shruti Irap (ChemE ‘24), this was a game-changer. Shruti is thankful, “...for being able to attend classes face-to-face and meet new, diverse individuals. I am glad to know these amazing people (professors, friends, classmates, mentors and mentees) from whom I keep learning new things each and every day.” Being an in-person student has allowed for a more immersive and meaningful college experience, so we are really thankful that we are able to return to in-person instruction.

3. We are thankful for the amazing Purdue community!

Transitioning to college can seem like a daunting task. Many people are coming from all over the country and world sometime alone and are looking for that sense of community and friendship. For many of us, especially in the class of 2024, it felt like an insurmountable challenge to make friends when most events were online, and in-person interactions were limited. However, Purdue has an incredible campus culture and community. Everyone is so friendly and inviting, making it really easy to make friends. Even last year when it seemed like making friends was going to be especially difficult, people continued to reach out and make close friendships. Abby Hauser (ChemE ‘24) says she is feeling, “...especially grateful for all the amazing friendships I’ve built. Purdue’s sense of community is so strong, and I’ve made so many great friends through classes, clubs, and activities now that we have been able to meet in person this year.” College is so much more fun when you don’t do it alone, and many of us are really thankful this year for the friendships we have been able to grow and sustain.

4. We are thankful to be boilermakers!

Since I have been at Purdue, every day I feel grateful to be here and experience college life at an incredible school. I adore Purdue’s commitment to tradition, the well-being of the student body, and providing students with unique experiences you cannot get anywhere else. This year, we are really thankful to be boilermakers. Purdue consistently ranks as the top public school in the state of Indiana, one of the top 10 public universities nationwide, and one of the top 10 most innovative universities in the world. We continue to push the boundaries of possibility of greatness by maintaining an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community. Being a Purdue student has allowed me to discover and pursue my own passions in a space where I feel supported and encouraged in achieving my goals.

This holiday season, we hope you have many things you can be thankful for. Despite the challenges from these past couple years, we remain thankful for the experiences and opportunities we are able to have as students here at Purdue.

Becca Jennings, MSE '24

Recruitment Project Committee


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