WEST LAFAYETTE — As part of Purdue University’s yearlong commemoration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America, university leadership, dignitaries, and students will dedicate a 16-story-tall flagpole at Ross-Ade Stadium on Wednesday (April 29) during Purdue Day of Giving.
The flagpole, which will extend 160 feet above the field and display a 30-by-50-foot American flag, was a gift from former Purdue Board of Trustees Chair Michael Berghoff (BS industrial management ’85) and his wife, Kristin (BS retail management ’85); and John Chiminski (MS electrical engineering ’87) and his wife, Laura.
In the spirit of America250, Purdue is celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial throughout 2026 by spotlighting innovative pursuits by Boilermakers past and present while preparing students for future innovative endeavors for the greater good of the nation.
“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, this flagpole dedication is a moment of profound significance at this American public university,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “It is a moving reminder of the many contributions made by generations of Boilermakers to our country, and a testament that our university shall remain a long-lasting bastion of individual freedom.”
The new flagpole stands as a visible symbol of how Purdue’s five-year “Victories & Heroes” fundraising campaign connects generations of Boilermakers to the culture of innovation and impact that continues to serve the nation.
The 152‑foot flagpole was installed atop an 8‑foot rise at the southeast end of the stadium, giving the entire assembly — including the finial and Federal Aviation Administration‑required beacon — a total height of 160 feet and placing it among the tallest at any university in the country.
The Purdue Bell Tower also rises 160 feet, serving as a prominent landmark and navigation point.
The new flagpole will be celebrated for the first time at Stadium Nights on Purdue Day of Giving. The Boilermaker community is invited to the festivities at Ross-Ade from 6-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. The event is free, but registration is required.
The evening will begin with a showing of the movie “First Man” on the stadium jumbotron. The film chronicles the life of Neil Armstrong, a Purdue University alumnus who became the first human to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Special programming begins at 8:30 p.m. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks show.
