Trine student earn honors
ANGOLA — Trine University students have been honored for projects presented at the university’s seventh annual STEM Research and Design Symposium, held Dec. 5 on the concourse of the MTI Center.
The symposium featured 44 student projects representing multiple academic departments. Projects included departmental freshman and research projects as well as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU).
Awards were presented to:
Honorable Mention, Informative Project, Multi-Departmental Engineering: Abigail DeCamp, from North Vernon, Brian Beerbower, from Fishers, Clay Wilson, from Kokomo, and Matthew Graber, from Goshen, Indiana, “Micromouse.” All four are computer engineering majors.
Student named to Dean’s list
Bob Jones University
Columbus: Heather Aird
Purdue opens Convergence Center
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University and Belgium-based technological innovation organization imec celebrated the grand opening of a research and development hub at the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration on Purdue’s campus. The presence of imec at Purdue will help facilitate groundbreaking advancements in semiconductor technologies.
To mark the occasion, Purdue President Mung Chiang was joined by Luc Van den hove, president and CEO of imec, and Jan Jambon, minister-president of Flanders, the Flemish region of Belgium, following their visit with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Gov. Eric Holcomb in Indianapolis.
“Purdue University is excited to open the joint center with imec and IEDC on our campus after the ribbon-cutting ceremony today with Minister-President Jambon and CEO Van den hove,” Chiang said. “Purdue is established as a leading university in semiconductors through successes such as the Department of Defense Microelectronic Commons Hub, SCALE workforce consortium, U.S.-Japan semiconductor alliance, U.S.-India semiconductor partnership and more. This partnership with imec, the crown jewel of chips innovation in Europe, will flourish as a strategically pivotal moment in the growing ecosystem of semiconductors in the heart of the Silicon Heartland. It also builds a bridge between our university and universities and companies in Flanders, in Belgium and in Europe.”
Purdue to open commuter air service
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University and Surf Air Mobility Inc. have agreed to begin scheduled commuter air service between West Lafayette/Purdue University Airport (LAF) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with a target start date in early second quarter 2024. This marks the return of commercial air service for the first time since 2004 to LAF.
Purdue University has a renowned history in aviation that includes Amelia Earhart, who was an instructor and advisor in careers for women. Earhart flew out of Purdue University Airport in the 1930s, when it became the nation’s first university-owned airport.
Purdue and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will provide funding to support the air service’s establishment and ongoing operations. Flight operations will be run by Southern Airways Express, an airline subsidiary of Surf Air Mobility. Southern Airways will operate flights between LAF and ORD seven days a week, with 24 weekly round-trip flights currently planned.
Earlier in 2023, the university approved runway improvement through Federal Aviation Administration funding, and the region funded a new terminal through the READI program from IEDC.
Pending Board of Trustees approval in February, the new terminal will be named for Amelia Earhart, thanks to approval from the Earhart estate. The approximately 8,000-square-foot facility — to be located west of the existing terminal — will include a waiting area, baggage claim, ticketing, passenger screening and public restrooms. It will be constructed to comply with Transportation Security Administration and FAA requirements.
In addition, Purdue trustees have approved a plan to finance, construct and award construction contracts for the rehabilitation of a Purdue University Airport runway. The project will repave Runway 5/23. Also, a small connector taxiway will be relocated and reconstructed, and a second taxiway that is no longer used will be eliminated. Work is scheduled to start in May 2024 and be completed in June 2024.
Surf Air Mobility has existing federal contracts through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, in which it operates subsidized routes connecting communities that otherwise lack access to minimal air service. The agreement with Purdue University replicates the EAS model with a private institution without the need for federal funding.
Southern will operate these flights using Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop aircraft, with nine passenger seats and two pilots. The flights will be open to the general public, and Purdue will provide the use of its passenger terminal, hangar space and ramp access for Southern’s personnel. Southern will also offer job opportunities pre- and post-graduation for qualified students.
