Behind the new local You & Purdue campaign
A new Purdue for Life campaign targets five programs that aim to benefit Greater Lafayette. Plus, what’s up with the local TV blackout for today’s Indy 500.
Today’s edition is sponsored by The Long Center for the Performing Arts, which is bringing America to Lafayette for the first concert in the new Loeb Stadium. For details, scroll through today’s Based in Lafayette reporting project.
Just a couple of quick notes on race day. I’ll be listening to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio, like a normal Lafayette person. (If you’re reading this, Nick Yeoman … we’re counting on you in Turn 1.) Speaking of which …
ANOTHER INDY 500 BLACKOUT … SORT OF: The rare, open-ended, live TV coverage afforded to central Indiana – including Lafayette – for the past two Indianapolis 500s will give way to the traditional blackout, followed by a rebroadcast that evening. Well, sort of. The race can be yours if you have access to Peacock, either by paying for the streaming service or have it available through your cable provider. The Indianapolis Star had an interesting look at how that Peacock access in this part of Indiana likely is temporary, as NBC couldn’t figure out how to carve a blackout from such a small area on the streaming service with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway predicting it wouldn’t sell out its grandstands. Here’s the IndyStar look at the situation.
YOU & PURDUE, A NEW LOCAL CAMPAIGN: A few days ago, I had an interview with Derek Pacheco, an assistant professor of English at Purdue, about the Big Read, a collaboration between the university and the West Lafayette Public Library. (This year’s Big Read: Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Mexican Gothic.”) Here’s a look, in case you missed the Q&A:
The Big Read, it turns out, is one of five Purdue programs that are part of Purdue for Life’s “You & Purdue,” a new fundraising campaign, going on now through June 13.
“We wanted to increase engagement and giving with the university at a local level through support of Purdue Initiatives that worked within the Greater Lafayette community,” Matt Folk, Purdue for Life Foundation president and CEO, said.
The five getting this year’s attention:
The Big Read: Check above for a more in-depth look. But the upshot: The university and community come together around one book, with related presentations, author visits and more.
The Susan Nierstheimer Memorial Book Fund: The fund takes its cue from the late Susan Nierstheimer, an assistant professor of literacy and language at Purdue, who looked to get books in the hands of young children. The initiative provides first-graders with a tote filled with four selected titles. Since 2010, the program has given 10,000 books to nearly 2,700 kids, according to Purdue.
Priority 4 Paws: Started in 2012, the program pairs Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine students with Greater Lafayette animal shelters to provide primary care, giving students hands-on experience and shelters spay and neuter services and other care needed.
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: The department serves children and adults through two clinics. The M.D. Steer Speech, Language and Swallowing Clinic evaluates and treats speech, language and cognitive disorders and provides therapy sessions to improve communication skills. The M.D. Steer Audiology Clinic helps evaluate and treat hearing issues and offers free hearing screening several times a year.
Purdue Convocations: With a range of concerts, theater and other events on campus, Convos is looking to expand ways to get performers in front of K-12 students, whether in classrooms or during special matinees.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: For more about the You & Purdue campaign, the five programs and how to donate, check crowdfunding.purdue.edu.
Thanks to The Long Center for the Performing Arts for its support and sponsorship of today’s edition of Based in Lafayette. For details about upcoming shows, including America at Loeb Stadium on June 30, click the link below.
Tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.