Building on Our Momentum

August 24, 2026

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Today, we begin a new academic year at Purdue Fort Wayne, one shaped by tremendous momentum, exciting growth, and an enduring commitment to student success.

Our campus has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several months. Trace has welcomed its first residents, providing students with a dynamic new place to live and build community. The Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Center is opening its doors, creating extraordinary opportunities for music education, innovation, collaboration, and performance. Students also have expanded dining options, while newly renovated spaces in the Richard T. Doermer School of Business will provide an enhanced environment for teaching and learning.

These projects are much more than additions and improvements to our physical campus. They represent investments in our students, our academic mission, and the future of Purdue Fort Wayne.

Our momentum is also reflected in one of the clearest measures of student success: retention. As we go into this new semester, we are celebrating historic retention rates across all of our colleges and schools. This achievement reflects the expertise of our faculty, the care of our staff, and the countless everyday interactions that help students remain engaged, overcome challenges, and continue making progress toward their degrees. Thank you for the important role each of you plays in helping our students persist and succeed.

This fall, we are welcoming students from across the country and around the world who have chosen to live in Fort Wayne, learn on our campus, and become part of both the Purdue Fort Wayne community and the larger Fort Wayne community. They bring experiences and perspectives that enrich classroom discussions, broaden our understanding of the world, and strengthen our university. Their presence also benefits our region as they explore the city, support local businesses, complete internships, volunteer, and build connections throughout northeast Indiana.

Over the past several days, we welcomed our newest Mastodons during Mastodon Stampede. Our new, incoming students moved into their new homes, attended a pep rally, took over Walmart for a quick shopping trip, met with their colleges, toured downtown Fort Wayne, and cheered on the Dons at a women’s soccer game. These experiences offered our students their first glimpse of what it means to belong to the Herd.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Mastodon Stampede and move-in such memorable experiences. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm helped our students feel welcomed from the moment they arrived.

The celebration continues this week with Campus Kickoff. A wide variety of activities will help students meet one another, find their way around campus, build a sense of belonging, and immerse themselves in university life. As you encounter students in our classrooms, offices, hallways, and outdoor spaces, please take a moment to welcome them. Let them know how excited we are that they have chosen Purdue Fort Wayne and how glad we are to have them on campus. Even the smallest interaction can make a meaningful difference in a student’s experience.

I also encourage each of you to engage with campus and participate in the many events and activities taking place throughout the year. Purdue Fort Wayne is your place of belonging, too. These opportunities allow us to connect with one another, support our students, celebrate their accomplishments, and experience the energy that makes our university special.

You can learn about ways to get involved through Inside PFW, the university Events Calendar, and our official social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok). I encourage you to follow Purdue Fort Wayne on each platform and stay connected with the people, programs, and events that bring our campus to life.

Finally, please join us for Fall Convocation next Monday, August 31, at noon in Auer Performance Hall. University leaders will share important updates, celebrate our recent progress, and discuss our priorities and plans for the academic year ahead.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary university. Your dedication, curiosity, and spirit are what make Purdue Fort Wayne a truly special place. I look forward to seeing you around campus and wish you a rewarding and inspiring year ahead.

Welcome back, and go Dons!

Ron Elsenbaumer, Chancellor