Podcast Summary: Celebrating Purdue Board of Trustees Chair Mike Berghoff’s Legacy and Impact

Podcast Information:

• Title: This Is Purdue
• Host: Kate Young, Purdue University alum and Brian Lamb School of Communication graduate
• Episode: Celebrating Purdue Board of Trustees Chair Mike Berghoff’s Legacy and Impact
• Release Date: December 12, 2024

Introduction

In this special episode of This Is Purdue, host Kate Young engages in an insightful conversation with Mike Berghoff, the esteemed Chair of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. As Mike announces his retirement effective January 1, 2025, the episode serves as a tribute to his over 15 years of dedicated service, highlighting his significant contributions to Purdue University’s growth, innovation, and enduring legacy.

Early Life and Student Experience

Admission to Purdue: Mike Berghoff recounts his unconventional path to Purdue, driven primarily by his passion for football. In his early years, while undecided about college and aiming to play football, Mike encountered Roosevelt Barnes, a Purdue football star, at Dewanger High School’s advanced weight room. Encouraged by Barnes to contact Purdue's coaching staff, Mike decided to make the last-minute pivot to Purdue, marking a pivotal moment that would shape his future.

Memorable Student Moments: Reflecting on his time as a student, Mike shares vivid memories of his initial housing struggles, eventually moving into Owen Hall Northeast 449. Despite early challenges, including cramped living conditions, he developed lasting friendships with his dormmates. Additionally, Mike highlights his involvement with the Theta Chi fraternity, where he found camaraderie and support, enriched by the guidance of Father Phil Bowers, the fraternity’s alumni advisor.

Influential Mentors: Two key figures significantly influenced Mike’s academic and personal growth:

• Professor Schluter (00:08): A German physics professor whose straightforward teaching style made complex concepts accessible, inspiring Mike’s appreciation for effective knowledge transfer.
• Father Phil Bowers (07:16): The fraternity’s alumni advisor whose advocacy for life, growth, and tolerance left a lasting impact on Mike, fostering a deep sense of community and ethical responsibility.

Role as Purdue Trustee

Appointment and Early Goals: Appointed as a Purdue trustee in 2009 and serving as Chair since July 2015, Mike Berghoff has been instrumental in steering Purdue through periods of significant growth and challenges, including navigating the complexities of higher education during a global pandemic.

Key Initiatives and Achievements:

1. Tuition Freeze (09:05):

   • Implementation: Mike champions Purdue’s unprecedented 13-year tuition freeze, a bold move to make education more affordable and accessible.
   • Impact: This initiative has been pivotal for students and families, making Purdue an attractive choice for higher education. Mike reflects, “As long as our revenues exceed our expenses, why would we raise tuition? And here we are. It's been 13 years of surplus and 13 years of flat tuition” (19:53).

2. Facilities Improvement (14:55):

   • Overhaul of Physical Facilities: Mike identified critical issues within Purdue’s Physical Facilities department and led efforts to transform it from a state deemed unfavorable to one preferred by faculty and contractors.
   • Athletics Enhancement: Serving as the first liaison to Purdue athletics, Mike played a crucial role in the development of new sports facilities, including the baseball stadium, women’s softball, and soccer fields. A landmark achievement was the construction of the new football complex, which symbolized a renewed commitment to Purdue’s athletic excellence.

3. Purdue Moves Initiatives (20:51):

   • 2013 and 2021 Initiatives: These transformative projects focused on expanding Purdue’s footprint, including launching Purdue’s expansion into Indianapolis, the return of commercial air service, and the planned new terminal for Purdue University Airport.
   • Impact on Community and Reputation: Mike emphasizes how these initiatives have enhanced Purdue’s connectivity and presence, fostering stronger partnerships with industry leaders like Rolls Royce and SK Hynix.

4. Purdue's Master Plan (02:00):

   • Student Success Corridor: Mike was instrumental in promoting the design and creation of a comprehensive University Master Plan, which included the development of a student success corridor, pedestrian walkways, and new gateways to the main campus.

Balancing Professional and Trustee Roles (17:03): As the founder and president of Lennox Steel in Indianapolis, Mike adeptly balanced his professional responsibilities with his role on the Board of Trustees. He credits Purdue’s supportive staff and his delegation skills for managing both roles effectively: “I spent more time at Purdue than here by a large margin made possible by the staff we have here” (17:27).

Legacy and Impact

Endorsements from Purdue Leadership:

• Mitch Daniels, Former Purdue President: Praises Mike’s extensive contributions, stating, “The record is too huge” (25:38).
• Meng Chang, Current President: Highlights Mike’s unwavering dedication, saying, “Every moment he pours his heart into Purdue” (25:38).

Transformational Leadership: Mike shares anecdotes illustrating his influence on Purdue’s trajectory. One notable story involves recruiting Mitch Daniels as president, showcasing Mike’s strategic vision and leadership. He also reflects on his collaboration with Meng Chang, appreciating the mutual learning and complementary skills that have fortified Purdue’s administration.

Vision for the Future: Mike envisions Purdue continuing its legacy of innovation and excellence. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining Purdue’s status as the “most recognized public university in the country” and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and investment: “People expect us to continue to be innovators” (24:06).

Personal Reflections: Mike expresses deep emotional connections to Purdue, recounting touching interactions with students and alumni who have been positively impacted by his work. He shares, “It's really moving...just so many different avenues” (27:46).

Personal Life and Purdue Family

Family Involvement: Mike’s family is deeply intertwined with Purdue’s community. His wife, Kristen, and their three children—all Purdue attendees—embody the Boilermaker spirit. Mike fondly recalls encouraging his daughters to attend Purdue, leading to a proud family legacy: “They all went to Purdue” (30:09).

Balancing Family and Purdue: While Mike cherishes his family’s connection to Purdue, he also acknowledges the challenges of balancing personal life with his professional and trustee responsibilities. His wife, Kristen, often navigates the demands of Purdue-centered travel and engagements, reinforcing their united commitment to the university.

Conclusion

As Mike Berghoff prepares to step down as Chair of the Board of Trustees, his legacy is marked by transformative initiatives, unwavering dedication to affordability and accessibility, and a profound impact on Purdue’s community and reputation. Mike hopes to leave behind a Purdue that remains hungry, innovative, and committed to excellence.

Final Reflections and Advice: Mike encourages alumni and members of the Boilermaker community to stay engaged and connected, emphasizing the importance of involvement and contribution: “Stay engaged, follow, and something good's gonna come out of it” (30:09).

Closing Remarks: In a heartfelt farewell, Mike expresses his gratitude to the Purdue community and reflects on the personal and professional growth he has experienced through his service: “I wildly underestimated what it would mean to me... It fills up a lot of your calendar. It fills up a lot of your energy” (33:16).

Notable Quotes:

• “As long as our revenues exceed our expenses, why would we raise tuition? And here we are. It's been 13 years of surplus and 13 years of flat tuition.” — Mike Berghoff (19:53)

• “People expect us to continue to be innovators. They’re looking for routine improvements that nobody else thought of. Our peers haven't thought of and create them to be followers. And we're the leader.” — Mike Berghoff (24:06)

• “Stay engaged, follow, and something good's gonna come out of it.” — Mike Berghoff (30:09)

Final Thoughts: Mike Berghoff’s tenure as Chair of the Purdue Board of Trustees has been characterized by visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and a heartfelt commitment to the Purdue community. His efforts have not only enhanced Purdue’s infrastructure and reputation but also ensured that future generations of Boilermakers have access to an affordable and enriching educational experience. As Purdue moves forward, Mike’s legacy will continue to inspire and guide the university towards even greater heights.