The Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry brought hundreds of Boilermakers back to campus over the weekend, mixing tradition, fellowship, and recognition of outstanding leaders in agriculture.
The annual event, hosted by the Purdue College of Agriculture Alumni Association, served up delicious food while celebrating alumni who’ve made a lasting impact on the industry and the university.
This year’s Certificates of Distinction carried special meaning. Among those honored was Suzanne Nielsen, a respected food science leader, educator, and mentor who passed away last year. Her husband Bob Nielsen received the Certificate in her memory.
He said, “What she did on campus with her classes in food science basically made her a legend. And so many people here either directly themselves may have been in her class or their kids were in her class. She’s fully deserving of this Certificate of Distinction. I’m just glad that they’re allowing me to accept it in her memory.”
Suzanne Nielsen, a 39 year Purdue faculty member and department head, was remembered for her dedication to students, her leadership in the College of Agriculture, and her influence on food science programs nationwide.
Bob adds, “I remember when we moved here, Vic Lechtenberg was Dean at the time, and he was telling us about what a good place Purdue was in West Lafayette and Indiana. And he said, ‘Now, be careful. Before you know it, 30 or 40 years will have gone by and you’ll still be here.’ And that’s what it turned out to be for both of us. It was a good ride for both of us. She had just a wonderful ride in food science, and I had my wonderful ride in Extension. It just turned out to be a wonderful place for both of us.”
Organizers say the Fish Fry isn’t just about food; it’s about honoring the people who shaped Purdue agriculture and reconnecting generations of Boilermakers.
The Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry will return next year, continuing a tradition that blends celebration, remembrance, and community.
