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March 9th, 2026
On March 5, faculty, students, and community members gathered on the third and fourth floors of the HSSE Library in Stewart Center to celebrate the opening reception for “Forms and Functions: A Selection of Materials within Purdue University Archives and Special Collections.” The event highlighted the rich variety of materials preserved in Purdue University Archives and Special Collections (ASC) and the collaborative work that brings these collections to life.
The evening began with remarks from Assistant Dean and Head of ASC, Neal Harmeyer, and lead curator Jo Otremba, who introduced the goals of the exhibition and reflected on the collaborative effort behind it. Co-curated by Otremba, seven Purdue archivists, and 11 student employees, the exhibition was designed not only to showcase remarkable items from Purdue’s past but also to give visitors insight into how archivists organize, preserve, and interpret primary source materials.
“We wanted this exhibit to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and provide the opportunity for them to get the hands-on learning experiences about what it takes to put together an exhibit,” said Otremba.
Following Otremba’s remarks, a student panel featuring Scarlett Strong, Hannah Cano, Roma Koroneos, and Maxwell Splaine offered attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition process. The students shared their experiences researching materials, assisting with curation, and helping shape the final display. Their reflections highlighted the hands-on learning opportunities that working with archival collections provides and underscored the important role students played in bringing the exhibition together.
The reception also provided guests the opportunity to explore the exhibition firsthand, view the original materials on display, and speak with archivists and student contributors about the stories behind the items. Through its thoughtful selection of materials and collaborative approach, the exhibition offers a unique window into the work of archives and the many ways primary sources help illuminate Purdue’s history.
“Forms and Functions” highlights the wide range of materials found in an archive—from manuscripts and photographs to illustrations and personal papers—while inviting visitors to consider the stories and questions that these materials reveal. Throughout the gallery, visitors encountered original items connected to notable figures in Purdue’s history and beyond.
Among the featured individuals are John Purdue, founder and benefactor of the university; aviation pioneer and former Purdue faculty member Amelia Earhart; astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon; Nobel Prize–winning chemist Herbert Brown; popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher; cartoonist Harold Gray, creator of “Little Orphan Annie”; and illustrator George Wildman, known for his work on “Popeye” comics.
“Forms and Functions” will remain on view and is free and open to the public during ASC’s regular hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM throughout the spring 2026 semester, with modified hours during the summer. The exhibition is located at the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education (HSSE) Library in Stewart Center and runs until June 26.
Learn more about the exhibition.
ASC thanks the student employees and archivists whose time, creativity, and expertise made “Forms and Functions” possible. Their collaborative work—from selecting materials to installing the exhibition—was essential to bringing it to life.
The exhibition team includes the following contributors: