Why WiE Are Thankful for Purdue

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As Thanksgiving approaches, we are taking a moment to reflect on the many things we are thankful for. Purdue has played a meaningful role in shaping our personal, professional, and academic journeys. In this blog, a group of Purdue women in engineering students come together to celebrate the small, unique things that make our Purdue experiences so special.

Heidi Kennard: Meredith South



The Women in Engineering Learning Community (along with a few other “Women in” LC’s) reside in the Meredith South Residence Hall, and it’s where I’m lucky enough to call my home away from home for the school year. With such a great multi-purpose room, so many Learning Communities, and wonderful Resident Assistants, there’s always an event somewhere in the building. Some days it’s a WiE event, where you can find snacks, friendship bracelet-making materials, and friends. Other times, it’s walking in the door, and having an adorable cartoon version of you drawn by an RA. The constant stream of events are always fun, and great for the snacks, but also makes creating your community in college so much easier. I’m so grateful for the events, the RA’s and members of the various Leadership Teams who organize such great events, and the friends I’ve made through Meredith South!

Natalie Anderson: Dudley/Lambertus Hall



The connected Dudley and Lambertus Halls are home to a variety of open collaborative areas, private study rooms, student engineering organizations, and industrial engineering’s collection of Gateway Labs that span over 17,000 square feet within the complex. My favorite area is on the first floor, Lambertus side with the elevated study tables that have embedded chargers and a good amount of space to lay out notes. There is a 24/7 self-serve cafe area with snacks and coffee, and the full windows have beautiful natural light during the day. On the Dudley side, the Women in Engineering Program is housed on the second floor; walking down the hallway, you first pass another collection of group study tables before reaching a collection of engineering student organization offices. You can reserve individual/small group study rooms with whiteboards ahead of time if you need a quiet area for exam prep sessions, virtual interviews, or take-home tests. Overall, I’m thankful that the Dudley-Lambertus complex makes it easy to feel inspired and be productive when tackling engineering coursework.

Grace Fuller: Women in Engineering Seminar Course (ENGR 194)

I had the opportunity to take ENGR 194, a course offered to first year engineering students. Through this course, I heard from Purdue women in engineering alumni, developed valuable professional skills, prepared for the Industrial Roundtable, and began to find my path in engineering. It was a great experience because it allowed me to connect with fellow women engineers while also building my skills. One of my favorite assignments in the course was making a vision board for my life using words and photos that represented my passions and goals. It made me think about what motivates me both inside and outside of engineering. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be in that class because it gave me countless skills and friendships that I will have for a long time.

Saanvi Mahesh: My Favorite Study Spot



One of my favorite activities to do on campus is finding random, cozy study spots. This year, I’ve been especially grateful for Krach Leadership Center (Krach). I love studying on the fourth floor because it has an amazing view of Third Street and Windsor Hall. It’s also conveniently located near the Windsor and Wiley dining halls, Starbucks, and Third Street Market if you want to grab a snack or meal to take a break from studying. Krach is also home to OWL (Online Writing Lab) where students can receive help on their writing projects, both personal and academic. Krach is perfect for students who want to work in a quiet environment or who want to collaborate with others (it gets quieter the further you go)!

Sarah Shaughnessy: CARES




As finals season approaches and winter settles into West Lafayette, it’s extra important to take care of our mental wellness. That’s why I’m so grateful for CARES, or “Community, Assistance, and Resources for Engineering Students”. CARES is a program that was launched by the Purdue Engineering Student Council in 2016. Its offerings include the new CARES Hub (founded in 2024!), walk in therapy and check-ins, yoga classes, well-being workshops, mentorship programs, and even an adorable therapy dog – all specifically meant to support Purdue Engineers beyond the classroom. The CARES Hub, located in Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, houses free snacks, a microwave, group and individual study spaces, art supplies, a paint-by-number wall, and occasional cuddly visits with Murphy the therapy dog.

Gabi Layman: Tunnels and Skywalks

Let’s face it: Indiana gets cold in the winter. Walking around campus in the cold isn’t always fun, but Purdue makes it relatively easy to get around and stay warm at the same time. There are underground tunnels connecting some of the buildings on campus, especially from Purdue Memorial Union. I also love to utilize the skywalks that connect many of the engineering buildings above ground. I can travel from the electrical engineering building to the materials science engineering building and even further to the Physics building without ever stepping outside. There are similar tunnels that connect the Honors dorms, which I used all the time first year to get from my dorm room in Honors South to the restaurant in Honors North without going out in the cold. I’m thankful for the ability to get around campus while staying warm!

Shannon Yip: Knowledge Lab & Variety of Workshops



One thing I am especially thankful for is the variety of random workshops that Purdue offers — they have truly allowed me to pick up skills I would never have learned otherwise. In the technical space, for instance, ‘Every Beginner Engineer Codes’ helps students pick up Python within a semester, while Milestone X offers opportunities to earn other technical certifications. But beyond the technical skills, there are also so many ways to learn something new while unwinding! The Knowledge Lab, for example, runs sewing and crocheting workshops, and CoRec GroupX classes provide a fun and accessible way to keep fit amidst the craziness of college life. I love how these opportunities are open to everyone — it really shows how Purdue deliberately supports students beyond the classroom.


As we pause to appreciate these small yet meaningful parts of our Purdue experience, we are reminded that gratitude often lives in the little things. It is the everyday moments, places, and people that make campus feel like home. This Thanksgiving, we are thankful not only for our growth as engineers, but also for the community and memories that Purdue has given us.


RPC Blog Team

Recruitment Project Committee

 

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program! 

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