Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Borden, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Fort Wayne will always be a place I call home; this was the first place a coach was willing to take a chance on me. Now I get to live out my dream with friends all around me. GO DONS!"

What are your career ambitions?
"If being a professional golfer doesn't work out, then I would love to own a mechanical engineering firm."

Major: Political Science
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne taught me that education is meant to serve others. Through leadership and advocacy, I’ve learned that success is measured by impact and that’s why the value of service guides everything I do here."

What are your career ambitions?
"To become an immigration lawyer dedicated to advocating for immigrant and refugee communities, using my background in political science, law, and community service to support families navigating the immigration system and to work toward more just and humane immigration policies."

Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Pepperell, Massachusetts

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is the bridge between my curiosity and my capability. It provided the mentorship and 'H-Option' freedom to transform my theoretical ideas into tangible engineering solutions that impact the real world."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a CEO and lead a company that builds impactful, real-world technology."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Beyond being a place of growth and achievement, Purdue Fort Wayne has become my home. I am proud to be part of a community of students who continually push themselves to be the best they can be."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a field ecologist."

Major: Communications Sciences and Disorders
Hometown: New Paris, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne provided me with countless opportunities to grow thanks to the small class sizes, undergraduate research, and clinical experiences available. The supportive faculty and campus involvement shaped my personal development and prepared me for my future."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a speech-language pathologist."

Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"To me PFW is change. From the moment I arrived on campus, PFW has grown and adapted with me. Through every challenge in my academics and athletics, it has encouraged personal growth, resilience, and the freedom to change."

What are your career ambitions?
"I would ideally love to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry, working with regenerative medicine or gene therapy."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Augusta, Michigan

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is a hidden treasure where opportunities are overflowing, research is hands-on and accessible, professors will help you succeed, and you will never be bored with your education."

What are your career ambitions?
"I am hoping to pursue a career either in conservation genetics or natural history museum collections."

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"My time and purpose at Purdue Fort Wayne have been all about positive impact. Being at PFW has allowed me to dedicate time to making an impact on our community, within the school, and on the field."

What are your career ambitions?
"I am hoping to pursue a career either in event/wedding planner, or owning a business,  or something in ministry."

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Fort Recovery, Ohio

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne for me held a lot of growth, opportunity, and community. I developed so many skills academically but more importantly, personally, that will help me to succeed in the future for which I am truly grateful."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a mechanical engineer."

Major: Anthropology & History
Hometown: Arcola, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has been a wonderful experience for me. I have experienced and witnessed some of the most decidated faculty and delightful peers. As I move onto my graduate studies, I believe Purdue Fort Wayne will always be a fond and lasting memory for me. I will forever be grateful for my time at Purdue Fort Wayne for the academic and cheerful experience it provided for me."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a professor."

Major: Biology
Hometown: Benton Harbor, Michigan

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Fort Wayne is my second home and has taken care of me by providing real friendships that have helped me to grow my relationship with Jesus. I will forever be grateful for my time here at PFW."

What are your career ambitions?
"My career ambition is to become a conservation biologist that works to help protect endangered animal species. In the future, I would also like to open my own nonprofit animal rehabilitation facility to further protect animals that have nowhere else to go."

Major: Data Science and Applied Statistics
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"To me, PFW means opportunity and growth. My time at PFW equipped me to lead a richer, more fulfilling life, not only professionally but in virtually every other aspect as well."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a principal data scientist."

Major: Spanish, Psychology
Hometown: Huntington, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW has been a chance to restart and reimagine what my future could be; this chance has feels like changing the impossible to my reality. PFW feels like a new life from the one I used to live."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to pursue a career in clinical psychology,"

Major: Information Systems
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW is the key to opportunity and growth. My studies have made my dream job reality and my closest friends part of my life."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a chief information officer."

Major: Marketing
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"My pursuit of an education at PFW has been my place of safe harbor in the storm of 2025."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become an industrial/organizational psychologist, or a consumer psychologist."

Major: Biology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means consistency to me. It is a place where you will always find someone to support you, mentor you, and guide you through this academic journey. PFW creates the perfect environment for one to achieve their goals and be lifted up the entire way."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to pursue a career in medicine."

Major: Political Science, History
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW showed me a place where I could determine who I am, despite how I was born."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a defense attorney."

Major: Psychology
Hometown: Van Wert, Ohio

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is more than a place of study—it has been a space to deepen curiosity, challenge myself academically and socially, and inspire me to engage with the world thoughtfully while pursuing knowledge with purpose."

What are your career ambitions?
"While still exploring the specific path I will take, I am eager to explore psychological research and apply insights to understanding human behavior and promoting positive change."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"If I were to describe PFW in one word, it would be growth. PFW is where I have found myself. I found my passions, my bestest friends, and my confidence here."

What are your career ambitions?
"I plan to continue my education and earn a Ph.D. in microbiology."

Major: Mathematics
Hometown: Portage, Indiana

What's your favorite quote?
“Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude.” - Ralph Marston

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become an applied mathematician."

Major: Data Science and Applied Statistics
Hometown: Neemuch, India

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"It's home, far away from home. A place that made me realize my true potential and the things I am capable of. A place that gave me permanent eye bags but I'm not complaining because it's character development."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a head data analyst at a luxury company."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has helped me reach my career goals of becoming a vet by educating me in those areas and providing helpful resources to achieve my goals."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a veterinarian."

Major: Management
Hometown: Winchester, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue represents perseverance, pride, and a promise kept. Becoming a Boilermaker honors my journey, my growth, and my father’s belief in finishing what you start. It symbolizes resilience, purpose, and moving forward with intention."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a business owner."

Major: Biology
Hometown: Garrett, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne represents community. Here, I have found consistent support, kindness, and genuine connection that have shaped my academic and personal growth and encouraged me to pursue my goals with confidence."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a wildlife biologist."

Major: Biology
Hometown: Garrett, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW has taught me a lot about myself as it was the first place that I had to be physically on my own without my parents. It also taught me the value of friendships as PFW has brought me my best friends."

What are your career ambitions?
"My career ambition is to pursue a job within my career field where I can use the communication skills that I have learned throughout college to build relationships and become a better employee each day."

Major: Political Science; Anthropology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is a place where I have learned to fine-tune my skills, challenge myself, and grow in knowledge and experience."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become an urban planner."

Major: Accounting, Finance, Money and Banking
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is valuable to me as it has provided the opportunity to work towards an affordable bachelor’s degree in my desired fields, accounting & finance, while working in the field through internships in my hometown."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aspire to become a licensed CPA and work at MedPro Group to continue building my accounting career."

Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW has been an amazing tool for networking towards my peers and professors, and more specifically it was an experience that I prayed for and provided me with such amazing friends and relationships with classmates."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a case worker."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Troy, Michigan

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has allowed me to grow into the best version of myself, by providing me with opportunities to succeed both on my own and while being surrounded by all of the amazing people that I have met here."

What are your career ambitions?
"I hope to become a researcher in the field of microbiology."

Major: Psychology
Hometown: Ossian, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"I am intensely appreciative for the impact PFW left on me as a student, but more importantly as an individual. I not only received a thorough education; I also experienced dignified growth and unmatched resilience."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a clinical mental health counselor."

Major: Biology
Hometown: Paulding, Ohio

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means an affordable education, without sacrificing quality. I have had so many experiences that have allowed me to learn and grow, that I would not have been able to have at larger universities."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a medical doctor."

Major: Spanish
Hometown: Cleveland, Texas

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne embodies community and support. As a first-generation student, I faced moments of uncertainty, but the institution’s exceptional faculty and resources consistently provided guidance and mentorship throughout my academic experience."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a dentist."

Major: Accounting
Hometown: Portland, Missouri

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"My father always told me, 'regardless of being a CEO or the person who scrubs the toilets, you do not quit, and you give 150%.' Those words guided me long after he passed, and Purdue Fort Wayne became the place where I lived them fully. Here, I have the space to rebuild my future, discover my voice, and prove that it is never too late to succeed. It has been a community that challenged, supported, and transformed me."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a forensic accountant."

Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Fredrick, Maryland

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Making a lot out of a little. The faculty pursue meaningful research with limited resources, and the students balance heavy ambition, study, and work. PFW taught me how persistence can turn these limitations into opportunities for growth and development."

What are your career ambitions?
"As of January 2026, I have been invited to interview for PhD programs in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry at universities such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Eshelman School of Pharmacy) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. These opportunities reflect my extensive preparation for advanced training in translational research. My long-term goal is to lead a research laboratory focused on drug development and translational science within the National Institutes of Health or a related organization, where I contribute to medicine that will meaningfully improve human health."

Major: Actuarial Science
Hometown: Columbia City, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne provided the foundation for my growth as a leader and future actuary, while keeping me grounded in service to my community."

What are your career ambitions?
"Actuary, with the goal of earning fellowship."

Major: Information Systems
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne feels like my second birthplace, where I began a new chapter of my life and felt young and strong again."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a university professor (research)."

Major: Economics; Data Science and Applied Statistics
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne, for me, is the institution where my resilience crafted a purposeful collegiate career, where innovative educators and peers fostered collaborative scholarship, and where I grew into a scholar with the freedom to move beyond traditional academic boundaries."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a labor policy research analyst."

Major: Computer Science; Mathematics
Hometown: Huntington, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne allows me to explore my interests and continues to challenge me, making me a better person. The smaller campus has allowed me to connect with many of my peers and develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with them."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a web developer."

Major: Biology; Chemical Methods
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has been a place where I’ve grown, learned, and been challenged. It strengthened my character, inspired my curiosity, and connected me to a community that values perseverance, service, and meaningful growth every day."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become an internal medicine doctor."

Major: Criminal Justice
Hometown: Galesburg, Michigan 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means growth, community, and discovery. It is where I learned to challenge myself, found support in peers and professors, and build confidence in my future."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become federal law enforcement."

Major: Data Science and Applied Statistics 
Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra, India 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne challenged me to grow with intention, stay grounded and lead with consistency."

What are your career ambitions?
"My ambitions are to continuously learn and grow while using knowledge and awareness to create meaningful impact and give back to the community."

Major: Psychology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"The connections I have made at PFW have helped me to cherish being within such a diverse student body. Sharing experiences with people different from myself has helped me to have a well-rounded worldview."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a child psychologist."

Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne taught me that I did not come this far only to come this far. It is where I found my voice, confidence, and purpose, transforming uncertainty into opportunity through a community that challenged me to grow, lead, and serve with pride."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a software engineer."

Major: Art Education
Hometown: Lebanon, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"The pursuit of knowledge is boundless within my heart, and I am grateful to have been mentored by wonderfully talented artists."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a collegiate adjunct professor."

Major: Chemistry; Data Science and Applied Statistics
Hometown: Kendallville, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means a place to grow, both academically and personally."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a pharmacist (ideally in industry)."

Major: Art and Design
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has been more than a place to earn a degree, it’s been a space to grow, explore, and turn challenges into opportunities. Here, I’ve learned not just what I’m capable of, but who I want to become."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a creative director and business owner."

Major: Management
Hometown: New Haven, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"I came to Purdue Fort Wayne as a caterpillar focused only on the next step, but I’m leaving with wings—shaped by growth, community, and the desire to help others soar."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to establish and operate a nonprofit LGBTQ+ homeless shelter and halfway house that provides safe, affirming refuge for individuals of all ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations. My goal is to create a space where people facing unstable or unsafe home environments can find stability, support, and a community that truly sees and hears them."

Major: Biology; Psychology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"I am grateful to Purdue Fort Wayne for providing me not only an education, but for providing me with a community and a desire to do something meaningful."

What are your career ambitions?
"I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology."

Major: Secondary Education, Mathematics
Hometown: Van Wert, Ohio 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has been a huge stepping stone in who I am today and who I plan to be in the future. It has changed me in ways I never thought it could."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a high school math teacher."

Major: Construction Management 
Hometown: West Bend, Wisconsin 

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means a newfound home, away from home. Friends turned to family and a degree that will lead me to success in my future."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to develop a career in construction project management."

Program: Professional Communication
Hometown: Takoradi, Ghana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW did not just educated me. It became an anchor during unimaginable crisis, celebrated my resilience and shaped my scholarly identity. As an international student, PFW would always be home away from home!"

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a professor in health communication."

Program: Biology
Hometown: Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has been my anchor and launchpad. It’s where I found peers and mentors who believed in me, friends who became my family here, and a campus that pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It feels like home, just with more diverse people and lab coats!!"

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a cancer researcher."

Program: Speech Language Pathology
Hometown: Parkersburg, West Virginia

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne has shaped me academically and personally, providing opportunities to serve, lead, and grow. It has fostered my skills, resilience, and passion for helping others while preparing me to make a meaningful impact in my field."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become a medical speech language pathologist."

Program: Counselor Education
Hometown: Ossian, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"PFW represents growth, opportunity, and belonging. Being a graduate student later in life has been challenging, but the welcoming and supportive community has made the journey meaningful and worthwhile."

What are your career ambitions?
"My primary career ambition is to be a school counselor in the Fort Wayne area."

Program: Computer Science
Hometown: Telangana, India

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is a peaceful and welcoming place where I have felt truly accepted. It is a place I will shout about with love in my autobiography, a chapter I’ll highlight with all caps and exclamation marks, where I experienced real freedom to explore, learn, and grow. I am deeply grateful for the people I have work with, from peers to mentors, who have taught me so much and inspired me to leave a positive impact."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to build large-scale software systems and grow into a technical leadership role."

Program: Mathematics
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne means opportunity, belonging, and growth. It’s where I discovered my strength, built meaningful connections, and learned to serve others. PFW transformed my story and future. PFW is me, PFW is you, and PFW is us."

What are your career ambitions?
"I aim to become an actuary."

Program: Biology
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"To me, Purdue Fort Wayne is transformative, in growth, resilience, and community. It's a place where I have learned to challenge myself, support others, and discover confidence in both my voice and my purpose as a scholar and mentor."

What are your career ambitions?
"I plan to continue with teaching in science and coaching in the performing arts."

Program: Counselor Education
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Personally, Purdue Fort Wayne has been a site of impactful relationships with peers, faculty, and students, and a place where I have steadily grown in my clinical training and passion for working with college students."

What are your career ambitions?
"I plan to pursue a full-time position as a mental health counselor in a private practice or student counseling center in Fort Wayne or the surrounding area, with a long-term goal of completing a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology. "

Program: Biology
Hometown: Bogota, Columbia

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"Purdue Fort Wayne is a sanctuary to grow, learn, and share. A habitat where my mind and heart blossomed, and even when I leave, the lessons and light it fostered will continue to inspire others."

What are your career ambitions?
"I plan to pursue a career as a conservationist, scientist, and educator."

Program: Counseling Education
Hometown: Rochester, Indiana

What does Purdue Fort Wayne mean to you?
"My program is led by brilliant minds I feel lucky to know. Purdue Fort Wayne is cozy and familiar, reminiscent of home. My classmates and professors, then, are more than just colleagues; they are family."

What are your career ambitions?
"I plan to practice as a licensed counselor, focusing on relationship and connection to support individuals, couples, and families in sharing their stories and finding their way back to one another."

College/School: Doermer School of Business
Program(s): Accounting, Finance, Money and Banking
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

College/School: College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Program: Mechanical Engineering Tech
Hometown: Fort Loramie, Ohio

College/School: College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Program: Mechanical Engineering Tech
Hometown: Fort Loramie, Ohio

College/School: School of Education
Program: Human Services
Hometown: Decatur, Indiana

College/School: College of Liberal Arts
Program: Anthropology, Women’s Studies
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

College/School: College of Science
Program: Communication Sciences & Disorders
Hometown: Hicksville, Ohio 

 

College/School: College of Visual and Performing Arts
Program: Web Design
Hometown: Chardon, Ohio