Monday, May 18, 2015

Ever Grateful, Ever True - The Ultimate Purdue Bucket List

So this past weekend, I was lucky enough to have graduated from Purdue University with a BSEE in 4 years (yes, that part surprises me as well). It was a great, albeit tough, time and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at this great university and knowing everyone that I've had the pleasure to have known.

Working with some of the cool redditors on /r/purdue and others, we came up with the ultimate Purdue Bucket List. While not exhaustive, feel free to comment with things that we may have missed. Remember, this is a list composed of things that can typically only be done at Purdue, not necessarily any college or just anywhere else (then it wouldn't be a Purdue Bucket List, would it?).

The list:
  • Eat at Triple XXX (pronounced "triple X")
    • Try any breakfast special, the Duane Purvis All-American, & Triple XXX original recipe rootbeer
  • Eat at the local dives and drink at the local bars
    • Specifically: DT Kirby's, Professor Joe's, 9 Irish, Poblano's, Fiesta, Maru sushi, School House of Chili, Knickerbocker Saloon, The Vault, Sgt. Prestons, Black Sparrow, Jake's Roadhouse, Brothers, Where Else?, The Pint, Von's
  • Almost have a heart attack while eating at DT Kirby's
    • And if you meet the owner, try not to get in a fight with him
  • Get a milk shake or fudge from Pappy's Sweet Shop
  • Get ice cream from Silver Dinner
  • Get coffee and study or read a book at Greyhouse/Vienna 
  • Drive in & eat at Dog-N-Suds (technically this can be done elsewhere but it's a summer staple)
  • Try Famous Franks (but not sober) 
  • Get doughnuts from Mary Lou's and pastries from O'Rears Pastry Shop on 9th St.  
  • Eat in a Purdue dining court 
    • "Tactically acquire" the tray if it's snowing outside too 
  • Get a Baltimore Zoo at Harry's
    • Also do the Harry's birthday shot on your 21st birthday (free on your 21st)
  • Do "The Great Indoorsman" at Harry's
    • 16 hours inside Harry's (11am open - 3am close), 1 drink/hour, no leaving.
  • Do a car bomb at Nine Irish Brothers
    • Also try the great food and other drinks
  • Get a pint at People's Brewing Co. / Lafayette Brewing Co.
  • Go to schooner night at Chumley's (Mondays/Thursdays)
  • Go to Thursday night at the Cactus/Piano Bar (at least once) 
  • Go to Breakfast Club (football home gamedays & Grand Prix)
  • Actually watch the Grand Prix race
  • Paint a pair of senior cords
  • Do a full fountain run
    • Engineering fountain, scum pond, Lions fountain, John Purdue fountain, Loeb fountain; optional - waterfalls in Hampton & Discovery Park
  • Ride the Boilermaker Special (the official mascot of Purdue)
  • High five Purdue Pete (the athletic dept. mascot)
  • Hit the Big Bass Drum (if you get the opportunity)
  • Watch some of Purdue's major/Olympic sports teams
    • We have Olympic medal winning divers and a consistently top 20 ranked volleyball team
    • The Old Oaken Bucket bucket football game against IU is also a must
  • Get a Den Pop (and create your own unique combo)
  • Cross the tracks 
    • Forward at BGR & back after graduation
  • Sneak into Mackey at night
  • Sneak into the press box in Ross-Ade Stadium (or just get invited to something in there)
  • Sneak into the Jedi Council Room (on top of Beering)
  • See the view of campus from the Beering 7th floor bathroom (preferably at night)
  • Drink on top of the Grant Street Garage (great when fireworks are involved)
  • Go to the Purdue University Airport (because we have the oldest college airport)
  • Hike at the Horticulture park
  • Do the rock climbing wall/boulder at the CoRec (colloquially known as the 'Dova)
  • Swim at the Aquatic Center
  • Go golfing at one of our two Pete Dye golf courses on campus (Kampen & Ackerman Hills)
  • Read The Exponent, and then promptly fold it into one of those sailors hats
  • Tour the inside of Westwood (the president's home)
    • Also meet Anthony Cawdron (who runs Westwood)
    • Also get a drink with Anthony Cawdron (typically found at Harry's, 9 Irish or the Cactus)
  • Write your name on the wall at Harry's
  • Take your picture with friends behind the bar at Harry's
  • Get kicked out of Harry's (this is like a rite of passage, am I right?)
  • Get a breakfast burrito from the mysterious Burrito Bus (this and visiting the airport can be accomplished at the same time, specifically on Tuesdays)
  • Throw something into the Wabash River
  • Buy & grill some meat from the Boilermaker Butcher Block
  • Pull an all-nighter in Hicks
  • Take a nap in the Union
  • Clap in the middle of the clapping circles in Academy Park (or one of the outer rings, which also give the same effect)
  • Watch the All-American Marching Band do a home game march down 3rd Street
  • Hear the "I Am An American" speech at football pre-game
  • Watch an All-American Marching Band halftime show at a football game
  • Do the "Hailfire" cheer in the 2nd half of a basketball game (because IU sucks)
  • Walk around the underground tunnels that are still open 
  • Go bowling or play billiards at the Union Rack'n'Roll
  • Walk under the Bell Tower (at your own risk of not graduating in 4 years)
  • Learn the traditions of Purdue
  • Sled down Slayer Hill on a snowy day (preferably on a stolen dining court tray)
  • Attend a concert or Convocations production in Elliot Hall of Music/Loeb Theatre/Long Center and a concert at Slayter Hill
  • Watch the varsity Glee Club at least once 
  • Watch the PMO Christmas Show (81+ years running now?)
  • See the giant Christmas tree and gingerbread house in the Union every winter
  • Get lost taking CityBus somewhere you've never been before 
  • Play chess/checkers on the tables near Loeb Fountain
  • Actually say hello to someone on the Hello Walk
  • Walk in Neil's footsteps outside of Armstrong Hall
  • Walk around north and south campus and see all the buildings you never knew existed 
  • Pass a hard Purdue class with an A
  • Graduate 

And, become #totesbesties with the president of the university.

*Edited for clarity, corrections and grouping similar items in the list.

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