.Celebrating 100 years of excellence!
On September 9, 1924, the Purdue Memorial Union, though only partially finished, opened its doors to the Purdue community. For 100 years, the union has been the cornerstone of campus, welcoming Boilermakers and the Greater Lafayette community to Purdue.
Steeped in tradition, the Purdue Memorial Union has served thousands of students and been the center of countless lasting memories. Watch as staff and alumni share their special memories of the union in celebration of this momentous occasion.
Continuing the Celebration
As we honor the Purdue Memorial Union's centennial, the celebrations continue through to 2025 whe! Join us for a series of special events, promotions, and giveaways designed to commemorate this historic milestone. Explore the exciting opportunities below to participate in the ongoing festivities and celebrate the rich legacy of the Purdue Memorial Union!.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024:
- Follow us on social media and comment on our special anniversary post on Oct. 9 for a chance to win a commemorative prize pack! To celebrate the 10 decades the union has been open, 10 lucky winners will receive a variety of PMU goodies and vouchers. You’ll have until Oct. 16 to enter, and winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 17, exactly one month after our pinnacle anniversary event!
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024:
- Test your knowledge of PMU’s history! Follow us on social media and participate in our anniversary trivia for a chance to win one of 10 exclusive PMU 100th anniversary long sleeve tees, originally given out at the Birthday Bash. You'll have until Nov. 14 to submit your correct answers to be entered to win. Winners will be announced on Friday, Nov. 15, celebrating 10 decades of tradition with a special PMU keepsake!
- Monday, Dec. 9, 2024
- The new 2024 time capsule will be taking it's place in the Purdue Memorial Union cornerstone Monday, Dec. 9! While the location isn’t open to the public, we’ll be sharing photos and videos on social media, providing a behind-the-scenes look at this meaningful moment as we preserve a century of memories for future generations.
- Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Sunday, Mar. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Friday, May 9, 2025
- TBD
- Monday, Jun. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025
- TBD
- Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025
- TBD
Commemorating 100 Years
The Purdue Memorial Union marked its 100th anniversary with a series of events that brought together students, staff, alumni and the community to honor a century of tradition and history. Discover how we commemorated this milestone with special programs, interactive activities and memorable celebrations below.
Evans & Taylor Eye Care Anniversary Gift
Monday, Sep. 9 to Friday, Sep. 13, 2024
Thank you to Evans & Taylor Eye Care for providing a special gift to guests who visited during our week of celebrations!
PSUB Pack the Union
Monday, Sep. 9, 2024
PSUB kicked off the PMU 100th anniversary celebrations with an exciting evening of entertainment and student engagement! Pack the Union showcased live music performances, improv acts, crafts, trivia and friendly competition at Union Rack and Roll and Boiler Game Mine.
Purdue Food Co. Taste of the Union
Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024
Celebrating the rich culinary history of the Purdue Memorial Union, the Purdue Food Co. Taste of the Union invited visitors to sample the diverse offerings of the Atlas Family Marketplace. This flavorful event showcased a variety of sampling stations located in the ground floor West Commons.
Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center History and Dog Tag Open House
Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2024
The Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center (VMSC) highlighted Purdue's military history with a special display in the Great Hall. Attendees explored military exhibits, learned about Purdue's military heritage, and connected with VMSC representatives. Veteran students and alumni had the opportunity to create their own dog tags with the debut of VMSC's new dog tag machine.
PMU 100th Birthday Bash
Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024
The Purdue Memorial Union celebrated its 100th birthday with a fun-filled day on the Front Lawn! Activities included inflatables, a DJ, Boilermaker Special rides, lawn games and delicious birthday treats. Attendees enjoyed painting their very own PMU stained-glass suncatchers and received commemorative giveaways on the East Terrace during the festivities.
PSUB Fall Concert
Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024
To cap off the celebrations for PMU’s 100th birthday, the PSUB Fall Concert transformed Mitch Daniels Boulevard in front of the union into a vibrant music venue! Students, alumni and community members enjoyed an electrifying performance by Jeremy Zucker, along with special guests Rosie Inman and The Victor Lee Band. The concert was a highlight of the centennial festivities, creating an unforgettable evening of live music on campus.
PMU Centennial Night on the Terrace
Friday, Sep. 13, 2024
Celebrating 100 years of the Purdue Memorial Union, the East Terrace came alive with a festive evening of live music! Attendees donned their best gold attire for the occasion, enjoying a performance by Vickie Maris and her band while savoring delicious cake pops. Similar to our popular Summer Concert Series, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux provided additional food and drink options, helping to create a vibrant Friday night atmosphere.
Anniversary Offer: 24% off at The Spa
Saturday, Sep. 14, 2024
In celebration of the Purdue Memorial Union's 100th anniversary, The Spa at Union Club Hotel offered a special 24% discount on all treatments for guests on September 14. Thank you to The Spa for honoring this milestone and providing a unique wellness experience inspired by the rich history and innovative traditions of Purdue University, as well as for your dedication to enhancing the community’s well-being.
PMU Centennial Celebration: Inside the Capsule
Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024.
This pinnacle event, sponsored in part by the Union Club Hotel, took place in the Great Hall and featured speeches from Purdue University President Mung Chiang, who read remarks from former Presidents Mitchell E. Daniels and France A. Córdova, as well as comments from former President Martin C. Jischke and other union figures. Attendees had the opportunity to view the contents of the time capsule that was placed in the cornerstone in 1922 during construction, along with the items for a new time capsule. The formal program culminated in a ceremonial bell-ringing. The Main Lounges were then transformed into a walking museum, showcasing the rich history of the union through photos, displays and artifacts. Light refreshments and commemorative giveaways were available for guests in Room 118, and attendees were among the first to be able to purchase the 100th Anniversary Book, thanks to the Purdue Team Store.
