EXAMPLE PAGE - SCHOOL BROCHURE - DEMOCRACY - Flipbook - Page 9
As a senior, Jake had the opportunity to impersonate
his mentor, Don Paarlberg. An impersonator of Earl Butz
asked “Don” whether the demand for rubber was elastic or
inelastic (Don taught agricultural price analysis). As was
characteristic in the classroom, Don would answer very
carefully and academically with much thought. “Don”
turned to the audience and said “The question has been
asked, ‘Is the demand for rubber elastic or inelastic?’” He
then, as characteristic, looked up at the corner of the ceiling
of the classroom looking for an answer and, after a long
pause, turned to the audience and said, “I don’t know.” (Jake
thought Earl Butz would fall off his chair laughing.) Then
“Don” proceeded to quote various authorities and their
opinions about the elasticity of rubber demand.
Purdue was a fun place, and the faculty in agricultural
economics had a splendid sense of humor.
—Jake Ferris (A’51), life member
East Lansing, Michigan
Gorgeous imagery and
a
beautifully crafted story, “The Gendered Bathroom,” drew
me into the Summer 2020 issue of the Purdue Alumnus.
While I always enjoy flipping through the wide variety of
stories from across campus, I was particularly delighted
to see coverage of an award-winning photo series by
high-achieving triple major Hope Kelham (LA’20). Her striking photos shine a light on the real-life challenges some
experience navigating public bathrooms. It draws attention
to what many of us take for granted — the ability to feel
safe and comfortable when we have to use the restroom. As
the president of Purdue Employee Pride, I know this can be
an issue for some Boilermaker students, staff, and faculty.
I’m incredibly thankful for the many advances — including
Purdue University being ranked 13th in the nation on BestColleges and Campus Pride’s 2020 listing of Best Colleges
for LGBTQ+ Students — made on campus thanks to the
efforts of the LGBTQ+ Center and many others. But there
is still much to be done. Thank you, Purdue Alumnus, for
sharing this important story.
—Tonya Agnew (LA’01), member
Lafayette, Indiana
I wanted to
express my severe disappointment with the Summer issue of the Alumnus. “The Gendered Bathroom” was a travesty. It shows that you have succumbed to the far left group think which has run rampant
throughout our universities, which Purdue once resisted. I
doubt that many alumni want to see such trash, and you
are running the risk of alienating a large portion of the Purdue family who still believe in traditional morality and the
basic tenets of Western civilization. You should be ashamed
of yourselves.
—Martin F. Barbarich (A’77, ChE’86), member
Wolcott, Indiana
CORRECTION
In “The Gendered Bathroom” (Summer 2020), the number of gender-inclusive restrooms on campus was listed
incorrectly. There are approximately 115 buildings with gender-inclusive restrooms across campus.
PUR D U E A LU MN I . O RG
FA L L 2020
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