100th Anniversary Celebrations

On September 9, 1924, the Purdue Memorial Union, though only partially finished, opened its doors to the Purdue community. For 100 years, the union has been the cornerstone of campus, welcoming Boilermakers and the Greater Lafayette community to Purdue.

Steeped in tradition, the Purdue Memorial Union has served thousands of students and been the center of countless lasting memories. Watch as staff and alumni share their special memories of the union in celebration of this momentous occasion.

The Purdue Memorial Union marked its 100^th anniversary with a series of events that brought together students, staff, alumni and the community to honor a century of tradition and history. Discover how we commemorated this milestone with special programs, interactive activities and memorable celebrations below.

Honoring the Purdue Memorial Union's centennial, celebrations continued through to 2025 with a series of special events, promotions and giveaways designed to commemorate the historic milestone.

•  Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024:
  • As part of the PMU 100 celebration, we invited the community to comment on the PMU Oct. 9 anniversary post for a chance to win a commemorative prize pack. In honor of the PMU’s 10 decades of service, 10 lucky winners received a variety of PMU goodies and vouchers. The giveaway closed on Oct. 16 and winners were announced on Oct. 17, exactly one month after the pinnacle anniversary event.

• Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024:
  
  • As part of the centennial celebration, PMU hosted a history trivia challenge on social media, inviting participants to test their knowledge for a chance to win one of 10 exclusive PMU 100 anniversary long sleeve tees, originally distributed at the Birthday Bash. The contest closed on Nov.14 and winners were announced on Nov. 15, commemorating 10 decades of tradition with a special PMU keepsake.

• Monday, Dec. 9, 2024
  • On this special day, the new PMU time capsule was placed in the cornerstone, marking a symbolic moment in the centennial celebration. While the location is not open to the public, behind-the-scenes photos and videos were shared on social media to commemorate the occasion and honor a century of memories preserved for future generations.

• Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025
  • PMU kicked off the new year with a celebratory toast to 100 years. Guests gathered on the ground floor near the Hail Purdue Stage to sample the newly released PMU non-alcoholic seltzer and to pick up exclusive anniversary swag. A festive moment to raise a glass to a century of memories and the year ahead!

• Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025
  • PMU Celebrated 100 years of loving memories with a Valentine’s-themed trivia giveaway on social media. Participants who correctly answered the trivia question and followed the Union Club Hotel by Feb. 13 were entered to win a $50 gift card to 8Eleven and $50 to The Spa. The winner was announced on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14—honoring a century of cherished moments at the PMU.

• Sunday, Mar. 9, 2025
  • Exactly six months into the 100^th year—three golden tickets were hidden throughout the PMU at 10 a.m. Guests who found a ticket and brought it to the Information Desk in the Great Hall received an exclusive Spring Break prize pack. It was a fun and festive way to celebrate 100 years of tradition with a golden opportunity.

• Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2025
  • PMU welcomed the spring season and celebrated a century of memories at the Golden Hour Celebration on the East Terrace. Guests enjoyed live music, light refreshments and exclusive 100 anniversary swag while dressed in their best gold attire. It was a radiant tribute to 100 years of the PMU and a toast to many more to come.

• Friday, May 9, 2025
  • PMU hosted a spring Pop-Up Celebration in the Atlas Family Marketplace to mark another month in the PMU’s 100^th year. From 2–4 p.m., guests stopped by to enjoy a treat, connect with others and pick up a commemorative gift as part of the ongoing centennial festivities.

• Monday, Jun. 9, 2025
  • Celebration continued through summer with a history trivia giveaway on the PMU social channels. Participants who correctly answered the trivia question posted on June 9 were entered to win a PMU summer fun prize pack. The contest closed on June 15, and the winner was announced on Monday, June 16—adding a splash of seasonal excitement to the centennial year.

• Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2025
  • On this summer night, families and friends gathered on the front lawn for the PMU Family Movie Night—an outdoor evening filled with laughter, nostalgia and centennial spirit. Guests enjoyed Paddington in Peru, picked up PMU picnic blankets and snacked on classic movie treats. Additional anniversary swag added to the festive atmosphere as PMU celebrated 100 years of community memories together.

• Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025
  • To honor stories that span generations, PMUhosted a special anniversary book giveaway. Participants were invited to share their favorite PMU memory on a Aug. 9 social media post for a chance to win a signed copy of Purdue Memorial Union – The First 100 Years by author and former director Bob Mindrum. The giveaway closed on Aug. 14 and the winner was announced on Aug. 15—celebrating the legacy of the PMU through personal reflections and shared memories.

• Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025

  • PMU celebrated the 101^st anniversary with a cozy afternoon gathering in the West Main Lounge. This final event marked the close of a yearlong centennial celebration and the beginning of a new chapter. Guests explored newly updated historical displays, engaged with an interactive museum table featuring original photos and documents from the PMU archives, and enjoyed light refreshments and limited-edition anniversary swag. A beaded pen craft invited attendees to get creative and share their own PMU memories as we reflected on the past and looked ahead to the future.