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December 9th, 2025
The Eli Lilly Case Competition is a longstanding component of the Intro to Management and Information Strategies course (MGMT 110) and is organized in collaboration with Libraries assistant professors Zoe Mayhook and Annette Bochenek, Eli Lilly and Company, and the Larsen Leaders Academy Executive Board.
In MGMT 110, students focus on the development of their academic and professional goals while building and sharpening their information-gathering skills by developing systematic methods for finding, evaluating, and presenting information. The Larsen Leaders Academy offers high-achieving business students a community of like-minded peers and professionals dedicated to fostering their natural aptitudes and encouraging their success.
The case competition presents a complex pharmaceutical investment case that requires students to conduct comprehensive business research, including analyzing company financials, evaluating patents and regulatory environments, assessing scientific risks, and examining industry and competitive landscapes and market and consumer profiles. It includes two rounds: an initial virtual presentation round, followed by an in-person, final round for the top six teams. This year, 13 teams competed, six advanced to the final round, and three teams earned top placements.
The teams that earned top placements include:
1st Place:
2nd Place:
3rd Place:
As a member of the 3rd place team, Rafe Cultrara reflected on his experience and said, “Competing in the Eli Lilly Case Competition showed me how strong business decisions depend on high-quality data and well-supported assumptions. As the finance lead, I had to turn uncertainty about the drugs and the market into a clear valuation, which challenged me to think more critically about how information, risk, and strategy come together in real-world decision-making.”
Information literacy is a key component of this case competition. Very little data or information is provided, and students must fill in the gaps with research and informed assumptions. This requires students to spend time locating different types of business information, synthesizing and analyzing their findings, and using that information to make evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
Also reflecting on his experience participating in the competition, first-place team member John Harrell said, “Participating in the Eli Lilly Case Competition was a unique experience that challenged our team to evaluate each potential drug through careful research and informed judgment. With limited information provided, we had to get creative, synthesizing scientific data, assessing market and financial factors, and weighing the risks and benefits of each decision. This experience strengthened our ability to locate and analyze complex information, think critically, and collaborate toward a strategic, evidence-based recommendation.”
A special thank you to Katarina Nikolovski, Hannah Cohen, Maggie Viewegh, Brynna Walthers, Preston Holb, Jorge Alonso Guerrero, Yana Petrova, and Riley Garrison at Eli Lilly and Company for their contributions to this event. We are proud of all the students who participated, and congratulations to the three teams who earned top placements. Well done!
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 9th, 2025
On Friday, December 5, 2025, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections welcomed over 100 guests to celebrate the opening of “Beyond the Binding: Medieval Manuscripts from Farm to Fragment.” The reception, held on the 3rd floor of the HSSE Library in Stewart Center, showcased the culmination of a semester’s work by students in ILS 595: Medieval Manuscript Studies.
Curated by ten student curators—Noelia Alvarez, Annemarie Bryans, Sidney Ducleroir, Roma Koroneos, Amanda Laughery, Lauren Matthews, Kat McCormick, Abby Riehl, Scarlett Strong, and Carri Jane Tenniswood—the exhibition brought together centuries-old artifacts with fresh scholarly insight, demonstrating the power of hands-on learning and material history.
During the event, guests explored both the loaned manuscripts from the Les Enluminures Manuscripts in the Curriculum program and items from Purdue’s own collections, with many visitors expressing surprise and delight at the opportunity to view medieval materials up close. Family, friends, faculty, community members, and students filled the space with lively conversation about script, artistry, and preservation.
A transformative semester of student research
Throughout the fall semester, students studied the foundations of medieval bookmaking: parchment production, ink and pigment preparation, codicology, paleography, illumination, provenance, and the circulation of texts. Their research culminated not only in written analysis but in the public curation of an exhibition designed to make medieval materials accessible to the campus and the community.
Over the course of just four days, students installed the exhibit, transforming the space into a celebration of medieval craftsmanship, historical inquiry, and student scholarship. Their excitement was evident, as many shared how meaningful it was to work directly with materials they had once assumed were available only to career archivists or scholars.
Faculty collaboration and community support
ILS 595 was led by Assistant Professor Kristin Leaman and Clinical Associate Professor Adriana Harmeyer, who highlighted both the deeply collaborative nature of the project and the exceptional support it received from partners across Purdue and beyond.
Special thanks were extended to:
Student perspectives
During the reception, five students—Noelia Alvarez, Scarlett Strong, Lauren Matthews, Amanda Laughery, and Roma Koroneos—spoke about their experiences, reflecting on the accessibility of archives, the thrill of handling centuries-old manuscripts, and the transformative impact of interdisciplinary learning.
Alvarez reflected on her journey into archives and said, “Before taking this course, I always wondered how people got into archives and museums. I never really took the time in my studies to actually explore that part…I initially had this very stereotypical view of what libraries do… But looking at the annotations on their manuscripts it made me also reflect on what I think about history. And honestly, if it wasn’t for the libraries, I don’t think I’d be in this room talking to all of you.”
Strong spoke about the tactile and human aspect of handling manuscripts, and said, “These materials have lasted for centuries for scholars and students like us to learn from them…They’re just regular people like you and me. We believe that these items are important, and they’re important for future generations for their knowledge to grow and expand.”
Continuing access and lasting impact
“Beyond the Binding” is on display Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM through December 19, 2025. While the loaned manuscripts will return to Les Enluminures, the Purdue collections featured in “Beyond the Binding” remain accessible to anyone interested in continuing their exploration in the Archives and Special Collections reading room. As Harmeyer noted at the reception, community access is central to the mission of both Purdue Libraries and the Manuscripts in the Curriculum program.
The evening underscored what Purdue University Archives and Special Collections does best: create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect students, scholars, and the community to history in tangible, transformative ways.
Congratulations to the student curators, faculty, and partners who brought this exhibition to life—and thank you to all who joined us for this unforgettable evening.
For questions, contact archives@purdue.edu. Anyone interested in viewing the Purdue materials following the exhibition may visit the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections website to schedule a reading room appointment.
Learn more about how the exhibition came to be on our blog.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 4th, 2025
On December 3, Purdue Libraries celebrated its faculty and staff at the annual recognition event in Stewart Center. This long-standing tradition honors exceptional service, showcases staff creativity, and recognizes new hires, retirees, and promotions from the past year.
The event included a craft show where attendees browsed handcrafted jewelry, paintings, crocheted animals, abstract prints, and more created by Andrea Gapsch, Susan Zeyher, Sandy Galloway, Jessie Scott, Patricia Swanson, Rachel McFadden, Katie Mathew, Nina Collins, and the Purdue University Press.
The celebration also honored employees who reached major service milestones in 2025, acknowledging their dedication and lasting contributions to Purdue Libraries and the broader Purdue community.
Service recognitions
We are proud to recognize the following staff members for their outstanding years of service to Purdue Libraries. Their years of service enrich the library community and continue to foster an environment of learning, creativity, and innovation.
10 years of service:
20 years of service:
25 years of service:
30 years of service:
40 years of service:
41 years of service and retiring this year:
December 4th, 2025
On December 2, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies hosted “A Celebration of Books Fall 2025” to honor Purdue authors who published books throughout the past academic year. This event was the largest yet, spotlighting more than 100 authors whose scholarship spans the full spectrum of academic disciplines—from engineering and education to philosophy, technology, and the arts.
Sunil Prabhakar, Libraries and School of Information Studies, Interim, and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, shared formal remarks recognizing the authors’ achievements and the importance of scholarship. The program also featured five Purdue authors who shared insights into their latest works and the journeys behind them:
Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while reconnecting and networking with colleagues across campus. Authors were greeted with corsages and a display of posters featuring the book covers, creating an interactive space where authors could sign their work for fellow guests. Each book has been identified as a “Purdue Authored Book,” visible by new, specially-designed stickers on the front cover and book spine. The collection is now on display in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Library in Stewart Center and available for checkout.
Provost Patrick Wolfe delivered remarks, noting the tremendous momentum behind faculty publishing at Purdue, and said, “I thank you for the support, encouragement, and dedication. We have published nearly double as many faculty books this calendar year…and there are many more in the pipeline.”
“A Celebration of Books Fall 2025” showcased the power of ideas, the persistence of research, and the enthusiasm of a campus committed to discovery. The event served as a meaningful reminder of the enduring value of books and the people who create them.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsNovember 17th, 2025
An IMLS-funded project led by Professor Gang Shao at Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies is set to create new, practical AI learning opportunities for librarians. The project, “TACTIC in Lib—Transforming AI Consumers to Innovative AI Creators in Libraries,” is supported by the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and focuses on expanding accessible, hands-on AI training.
“TACTIC in Lib” is developing a flexible, dual-path learning framework that offers both code-based and no-code options, providing librarians with multiple entry points into AI skill building. This approach supports librarians with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, encouraging exploration, hands-on practice, and creative application of AI tools in their everyday work.
By providing adaptable resources for AI literacy and applied practice, the project will help librarians integrate AI into library services, instruction, and research support. Ultimately, “TACTIC in Lib” strengthens the role of libraries as centers of innovation and equips the library community to confidently navigate and shape the evolving AI landscape.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsNovember 14th, 2025
Celebrating Research aims to highlight the work, innovation, and dedication of Libraries faculty by providing an opportunity to share their research with colleagues. This year, 25 Libraries faculty members, a graduate student intern, graduate research assistant, and a undergraduate research assistant participated and showcased their work throughout the year. From projects in their beginning stages to those that are completed, faculty members and students shared what they have been working on and what we have to look forward to in the future.
Those who presented and the topic of their projects include:
Celebrating Research was a great opportunity to reconnect with faculty and learn about their work. We are proud of their commitment to advancing their fields and look forward to seeing how their research shapes the future.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsNovember 11th, 2025
Purdue GIS Day 2025, with the theme of “Unlocking GeoAI Data and Tools,” was a success and brought together over 200 students, academics, and industry professionals in a day filled with insightful talks, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. The event, hosted by Gang Shao, showcased the latest advancements in geospatial analysis and its applications across many disciplines.
The success of this year’s event was made possible through the generous support of Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cultivate Geospatial, and Ecopia AI. Their partnership continues to foster collaboration between academia and industry, advancing the development and application of geospatial technologies at Purdue and beyond.
The conference featured keynote speaker Gregory Brunner, an experienced scientist, award-winning professor, and principal data scientist at Esri, a global market leader in GIS software. His talk, titled “Integrating AI Across GIS,” explored innovative ways to apply artificial intelligence tools within geographic information systems to enhance analysis, visualization, and decision-making. He discussed using AI to assess the extent of building damage following hurricanes and to identify specific landmarks, as well as understand how they are utilized. Brunner enjoyed getting the opportunity to connect with students throughout the day and share his insights and professional experience with GIS.
Reflecting on his experience at this year’s conference, Brunner said, “I’ve really enjoyed it. I had a great experience last year; this year was a great experience, too. I love getting to talk to the students and hear about their posters.” He added that many of the projects this year involved AI or machine learning, noting, “It just seems like AI and machine learning have become so pervasive that all the students seem to be using it.”
The schedule also featured 29 research posters presented by undergrad and graduate students that connected their respective disciplines to the field of GIS. In addition, industry partners shared valuable insights through four research and industry presentations and a career panel discussion, highlighting the practical applications of geospatial technologies and strengthening connections between academia and industry. New this year was a Purdue faculty panel, where professors shared their research areas and inspired students through their insights. From learning about how to build an open geospatial data ecosystem to finding and accessing statewide GIS data, the speakers highlighted the relevance of these tools in real-world scenarios.
A special thanks to the following individuals for their involvement, participation, and professional insights shared with attendees during the panel discussion and/or their research and industry presentation:
The day concluded with the recognition of the best graduate and undergraduate student poster presenters, including Digital Humanities award winners in both categories—a new award introduced this year. Each winner received a certificate and a $100 cash prize in acknowledgment of their unique contributions to the field of GIS. In addition, graduate student winners were awarded one-year ArcGIS for Personal Use licenses, each valued at $100, to further support their continued learning and research in geospatial science.
Undergraduate award winners:
Graduate award winners:
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners for their exceptional achievements, and to every participant of Purdue GIS Day 2025 for their valuable contributions to the field of geographic information systems. Your curiosity, creativity, and dedication made the event truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing this tradition of learning and collaboration; be sure to mark your calendars for Purdue GIS Day 2026, which will take place on November 12, 2026.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsOctober 29th, 2025
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies is pleased to recognize Wilella Burgess, director of the Evaluation and Learning Research Center, at Purdue University, with the 2025 Leadership in Open Access Award. The award has been given annually since 2010 in recognition of exceptional commitment to broadening the reach of scholarship by making Purdue research freely accessible online.
Burgess and her research team published a series of datasets in the Purdue University Research Repository (PURR), developed through a project conducted in collaboration with the country of Somalia. The project examined the impact of various primary education models on a diverse population of learners in Somalia. Findings from this evaluation will help inform future programming and guide policy decisions by Somalia’s Ministry of Education.
In addition to publishing the datasets on PURR, Burgess and her research team partnered with the Purdue Libraries Scholarly Publishing Division to make the project reports and related scholarly works openly accessible through Purdue e-Pubs, the university’s institutional repository. Publications in Purdue e-Pubs are freely available to a global audience and are automatically indexed in Google Scholar, enhancing their visibility and discoverability. By collaborating with the Purdue e-Pubs team, Burgess and her team ensured that articles resulting from the USAID-funded project are preserved and accessible to the public.
Burgess’s work demonstrates how publicly-funded research, when shared openly, can inform evidence-based policy, empower stakeholders, and drive positive change on an international scale.
Open Access Week
October 20–26, 2025 was International Open Access Week. This year’s theme, “Who Owns Our Knowledge,” asks how, in a time of disruption, communities can reclaim control over knowledge while prompting reflection on who accesses, creates, and shares it—and whose voices are valued.
Open Access publishing provides free, immediate access to scholarly literature, removing paywalls and reuse restrictions. For more than 20 years, Open Access publishing has paved the way to greater transparency in scientific research, providing a model for other open scholarship endeavors including open data, open peer review, and open science.
Purdue Libraries and Open Access
Libraries and School of Information Studies remains an avid advocate for open access publishing, aligning with the institution’s land-grant mission of learning, discovery, and engagement. Purdue’s commitment to open access began with Open Access Day in 2008, and the university has actively participated in International Open Access Week since its establishment in 2009.
In 2020, Purdue Libraries, with support from the Dean’s Advisory Council and generous donors, established an endowment to promote a sustainable and transparent system of scholarly research. This endowment has enabled Libraries to contribute to innovative open access publishing initiatives, further solidifying Purdue’s commitment to open scholarship.
Purdue Libraries negotiates with publishers to provide free Open Access publishing opportunities—its current Open Access Publishing Partnerships are a result of these negotiations. When publishing in journals that qualify under these agreements, Purdue authors can select Open Access publishing options at no cost.
Authors have access to additional services and support, including support for posting works to Purdue e-Pubs, Purdue’s institutional repository for scholarly documents. As an open access service, scholarly works posted to Purdue e-Pubs are freely available to a global audience and benefit from wide availability and discovery.
Most publishers allow authors to post a version of their scholarship to an institutional repository. Purdue Libraries offers a free CV review service, and authors who wish to participate need only to share a list of publications or their ORCID iD. Purdue e-Pubs staff will review publisher sharing policies and inform authors that their works can be made openly available at no cost.
For more information, contact openaccess@purdue.edu.
About Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies
Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, a unit of Purdue University, aims to create and provide equitable access to diverse resources, outstanding services, and innovative spaces by pioneering new methods in information science and advancing knowledge to meet the evolving information needs of the future. To learn more, visit lib.purdue.edu.
Filed under: general, News and Announcements, Open_AccessOctober 21st, 2025
In December 2025, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections will debut “Beyond the Binding: Medieval Manuscripts from Farm to Fragments,” a public exhibition showcasing original medieval manuscripts. Many of these rare items are on loan through the Manuscripts in the Curriculum program, administered by Les Enluminures, which promotes hands-on manuscript study in academic settings.
How it began
This project began in July 2023, when Dr. Michael Johnston, professor in the Department of English, reached out to Libraries Assistant Professor Kristin Leaman to explore bringing the program to campus. Leaman took the lead on planning and logistics, working closely with Clinical Associate Professor Adriana Harmeyer, archivist for university history. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections would house and provide access to the manuscripts for the duration of the loan.
Together, Johnston, Leaman, and Harmeyer submitted Purdue’s application in fall 2023, and were accepted into the program in November 2023 for a loan in fall 2025.
Making it happen
Thanks to internal Purdue support, the team was able to bring the manuscripts to campus. Funding came from the Troutner Teaching Fund, Libraries and School of Information Studies, and Archives and Special Collections.
This collaborative effort across departments and units—despite busy schedules and tight timelines—made the exhibition and accompanying course possible.
Teaching with medieval manuscripts
The exhibition is a product of ILS 59500: Medieval Manuscript Studies, a new course co-taught by Leaman and Harmeyer during the fall 2025 semester. The course offers students a rare opportunity to engage directly with medieval manuscripts—learning not just how to analyze them, but also how to curate them for public display. It also fills a gap in medieval studies and library studies, as it provides students with valuable curatorial training.
The class covers everything from materials, ruling, text layout, and binding to paleography and cataloging. Students build curatorial skills and learn how to think about audience, storytelling, and exhibition design—insights that go far beyond typical academic work—and work as a team to develop a final polished product.
Johnston has also led two medieval Latin transcription workshops, giving students additional experience with the manuscripts in their original language.
Beyond the classroom
“Beyond the Binding” is the first exhibition curated as part of an ILS course and the first exhibition fully focused on medieval manuscripts in Purdue University Archives and Special Collections. It is public-facing, free, and open to the community. While the manuscripts support instruction in the classroom, the broader goal is to bring these materials to a wider audience. Harmeyer has collaborated with instructors from three different Purdue departments to study the manuscripts on loan as part of their curriculum. In addition, several researchers have conducted research on the manuscripts during individual appointments.
The exhibition has already drawn interest from other departments and institutions. A class from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN, will visit to view the manuscripts and participate in a hands-on manuscript-making session with Leaman.
The loaned manuscripts were selected strategically from a list provided by Les Enluminures, in consultation with the Purdue team. They span different centuries, regions, and languages, providing a rich overview of medieval European manuscript culture. Additionally, volumes and leaves from Archives and Special Collections’ permanent collection will be on display.
Whether you’re a student, researcher, or curious visitor, “Beyond the Binding” offers a rare glimpse into the world of medieval manuscripts—once hidden away in private collections, now accessible and alive with new meaning at Purdue University Archives and Special Collections.
Learn more about the reception on our blog.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsOctober 14th, 2025
Purdue Libraries Associate Professor Michael Witt is making a lasting impact beyond the classroom by serving as the faculty advisor for Scouting Purdue, a student club dedicated to fostering leadership and community among scouts on campus. Recently featured in Scouting Magazine by Scouting America, the club’s resurgence and dynamic programming highlight the power of dedicated mentorship and student engagement.
About the club
For many young adults, scouting ends when they graduate from high school, and they don’t get involved again until later in life when their children become scouts. When Witt was approached by students who wanted to continue scouting into college, he agreed to help them bring back the Purdue Eagle Scout Association—a once-active student club that had gone dormant.
The club recently rebranded itself as Scouting Purdue to better reflect the mission of Scouting America and to be more inclusive of all students who have scouting experience.
From helping to rewrite the constitution to electing student leaders and planning events, Witt has been a hands-on mentor—guiding the executive board and supporting club activities that blend service, leadership, and fun. The club is thriving again, giving students with a background in Scouting a way to stay connected, serve others, and grow as leaders.
Under his guidance, some recent Scouting Purdue activities include:
With hikes, service projects, social events, and professional networking, the club provides students with a strong, values-driven community that builds on their fellowship as Scouts.
For many members, Scouting Purdue has become a meaningful extension of their Scouting experience—providing a sense of belonging, leadership opportunities, and lasting connections.
“When I moved to college, I left a large Scouting community and didn’t think I would find something of similar impact and camaraderie again…until I noticed a Scouting Purdue callout flyer,” said Joshua Zapata, the current Scouting Purdue president. “My interest was piqued, and from that first meeting, I was immediately supported in my newfound leadership role and promised much more from my fellow students, especially Professor Witt.”
That sense of support and community has resonated with past leadership as well. Reflecting on his time as club president, Gahn Mungarndee shared:
“I needed something to call my home away from home, so I sought out a support network—personally, academically, and professionally—and I found that home in Scouting Purdue. It has unexpectedly supported my college journey by introducing me to amazing professors and professionals, opening doors to job opportunities, and helping me build a network of lifelong friendships. Overall, an experience I truly wouldn’t trade for anything.”
Continuing a legacy
Scouting Purdue stands on the shoulders of a remarkable legacy. Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 astronaut and Purdue alumnus, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1947 as a member of Troop 14 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He graduated from Purdue in 1955 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
When Armstrong set out on the Apollo 11 mission, he carried more than just the hopes of a nation—he brought a World Scout Badge tucked among his personal items. On July 20, 1969, that badge touched the surface of the Moon, symbolizing how the values of Scouting could travel as far as human ambition.
At Scouting Purdue, students carry forward that spirit. Just as Armstrong embodied Scouting’s ideals in space, club members aim to live those same values on campus and beyond—building leaders who aim high and act with integrity.
Witt’s dedication to reviving the club reflects his broader commitment to supporting students—not only as learners but as leaders and engaged citizens.
View the collection of Armstrong papers, courtesy of Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, and learn more at scoutingpurdue.org or follow the club on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Filed under: general, News and Announcements