Orville Redenbacher at Purdue University
Orville Redenbacher was active in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, where he was elected noble ruler (“chapter president”) his senior year, and he helped move the fraternity to a new location. Adding to that, he was an editor of the Debris, the Agriculturalist, and the Exponent to help him pay for his education. He also had a part time job in Thomas R. Johnston’s office, helping prepare material for the Indiana newspaper farm pages and Indiana’s ninety two country agents.
Although Orville Redenbacher was keeping up with four jobs, he was involved on campus. He was involved in the 4-H and civic groups, including the Toastmasters Club and the Kiwanis. As an honorary Oregon 4-H member, he earned a certificate.
He played the sousaphone in Purdue's All American Marching Band for two years in order to avoid the ROTC training that all freshmen and sophomore were required to do. He then tried out for the cross country and track team. At the same time he was involved in a campus press club, the Agricultural Editors Society, and worked at the Purdue Student Union. He became a night editor of the Exponent and a junior editor on the Derbis,
the Purdue yearbook.
In 1927 he won the annual interclass cross-country meet running the two and a half mile course in 13:50 minutes and beat the 14:22 time that was reached the year before. His achievement on the cross country course helped him attract the attention of the varsity track coach, Eddie O’Connor. He soon earned his varsity track letter.
A year after he graduated, Orville Redenbacher taught his major of agronomy to Purdue students.
Although Orville Redenbacher was keeping up with four jobs, he was involved on campus. He was involved in the 4-H and civic groups, including the Toastmasters Club and the Kiwanis. As an honorary Oregon 4-H member, he earned a certificate.
He played the sousaphone in Purdue's All American Marching Band for two years in order to avoid the ROTC training that all freshmen and sophomore were required to do. He then tried out for the cross country and track team. At the same time he was involved in a campus press club, the Agricultural Editors Society, and worked at the Purdue Student Union. He became a night editor of the Exponent and a junior editor on the Derbis,
the Purdue yearbook.
In 1927 he won the annual interclass cross-country meet running the two and a half mile course in 13:50 minutes and beat the 14:22 time that was reached the year before. His achievement on the cross country course helped him attract the attention of the varsity track coach, Eddie O’Connor. He soon earned his varsity track letter.
A year after he graduated, Orville Redenbacher taught his major of agronomy to Purdue students.
Purdue Pride
Purdue is proud of their alumni's achievements, and they made their own documentary that was aired on tv and available online. The documentary is above. Orville Redenbacher has given a sense of Purdue Pride to all Boilermakers. When students know that someone as successful as Orville Redenbacher graduated from Purdue, it reminds them that they go to a great college. It helps students realize that they can be successful if they are hard working and use their time at Purdue wisely. A handful of students were interviewed about what they personally think. The following question was asked:
How does it make you feel to know that Orville Redenbacher graduated from Purdue?
Lauren (freshman): “It makes me proud to be a Boilermaker and hopeful that I can be as successful as him.”
Savannah (freshman): “It makes me proud of Purdue, and makes me feel like I go to a prestigious school.”
Orville Redenbacher left us a great reminder to follow our dreams, and achieve our goals by working hard and being passionate.
How does it make you feel to know that Orville Redenbacher graduated from Purdue?
Lauren (freshman): “It makes me proud to be a Boilermaker and hopeful that I can be as successful as him.”
Savannah (freshman): “It makes me proud of Purdue, and makes me feel like I go to a prestigious school.”
Orville Redenbacher left us a great reminder to follow our dreams, and achieve our goals by working hard and being passionate.