On Tuesday, May 13, Purdue Polytechnic in Anderson celebrated the accomplishments of its Class of 2024–25 during a heartfelt commencement ceremony held at 6:00 p.m. in the Red Gold Commons at the Anderson campus. Graduates earning degrees in Computer and Information Technology, Engineering Technology, and Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Technologies were recognized for their achievements.
The ceremony opened with an invocation delivered by senior lecturer, Fay Barber-Dansby, setting a thoughtful and reflective tone for the evening.
Keynote speaker, John Wardwell, National Training Manager at SMC Corporation of America, drew inspiration from Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss, offering uplifting & encouraging remarks that underscored both humility and possibility as graduates step into their next chapters.
Christy Tollett, Anderson’s director, guided the evening as master of ceremonies. She commended the graduates for their resilience and dedication, spotlighting their impactful work on community-driven projects and industry-aligned capstones throughout their academic journey.
Representing the graduating class, Quentin Norrick—recipient of a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology—offered the class response. He challenged his fellow graduates to not only innovate but to prioritize human connection in their careers, reminding them to “build something that matters—with people who matter.”
Dr. Rex Kanu officiated the conferral of degrees, with David Riegle, student affairs administrator, presenting the class. Jeffrey Webster, president of the Purdue Alumni Club of Anderson and Madison County, officially welcomed the new graduates into the Purdue Alumni Association and encouraged them to stay connected through the Purdue for Life Foundation.
Purdue Polytechnic in Anderson, one of nine locations in the statewide Purdue Polytechnic network, remains committed to immersive, hands-on learning and close industry collaboration—equipping graduates with the tools to thrive in dynamic and evolving career fields.