Purdue University Earns Top Honors

By: Spencer Deery

Purdue University has earned its best ranking by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s 43rd best college, an improvement from 51st in the 2022 report.

The rankings were released Monday and use 19 measurements of undergraduate academic quality.

Purdue ranked high as a top public school and best value school and ranked as the country’s seventh most innovative school.

Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff at Purdue for making the university a top-notch institution that all Hoosiers can be proud of.

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District 23 Highlights

A recent highlight included attending a very moving naturalization ceremony in West Lafayette, where 93 citizens from 30 countries took an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution.

Another highlight was welcoming several colleagues who are members of the State Budget Committee.

The committee meets in different locations across the state and had not met in West Lafayette for about four years.

During the committee hearing, representatives from Purdue University requested permission to renovate a runway at Purdue University Airport in hopes of bringing commercial service back to West Lafayette.

I’d like to thank the budget committee for visiting West Lafayette and seeing what the city has to offer.

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Explore Indiana this Fall

This weekend officially kicks off the fall season. Our state offers many ways to enjoy the fall weather and explore the outdoors by way of festivals, orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and events at Indiana State Parks. Here are some resources to help you and your loved ones make the most of the season.

Visit Indiana lists events across the state and provides regional information on local attractions. To learn more, click here. 

Indiana Festivals details festivals across the state, including the famous Covered Bridge Festival from Oct. 13 – 22. Click here to learn more.

The Indiana Recreation Guide details outdoor recreation sites in our state, including state parks and events at those locations through the end of the year. Click here to download the guide.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers a mobile app for users to view state park property information and maps. Click here to download the app. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation offers the Trafficwise mobile app for users to receive statewide up-to-date information on Indiana roads.

In addition, foster families and foster youth now receive free admission to DNR properties thanks to a new law I supported during the 2023 legislative session. Indiana residents who are former prisoners of war and their surviving spouses are also entitled to a free Indiana Golden Hoosier Passport, which grants unlimited admission to DNR properties on an annual basis. 

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INDOT to Host Winter Seasonal Hiring Events

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will host hiring events for winter seasonal positions, which run from November to early April, Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (local time) at 13 locations across the state.

Registration is not required to attend the event. Interviews will be conducted on-site and INDOT team members will be available to answer questions.

– Spencer Deery is an Indiana State Senator serving District 23 which includes Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Warren and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.