Gordon Graham Receiving Boilermaker Pride Alumni Award

Posted by Jan Green

on Oct 23, 2015

Rotarian Gordon Graham to Receive the Purdue Boilermaker Pride Award

Rotary moments seem to always abound during the Classics Car Show. I became aware that our Rotarian Gordon Graham is receiving the Purdue Boilermaker Pride Award. I did know that Gordon was born in the same South Bend hospital in which I staffed for years, that he played for John Wooden at South Bend Central High School, and that he is one of our five RCoT members who served in World War II. I am impressed that Nancy and Gordon made it to their 9^th Sunday morning TCCS cleanup. All of this make Gordon’s Purdue Boilermaker Pride Award pretty special to me. Gordon will be back in Lafayette for Homecoming and will be just one of two Purdue alumni to receive the 2015 award. The following is President of Purdue Alumni Club Southern Arizona, Greg Szabo’s, nomination statement for Gordon:

Gordon Jackson Graham enrolled in an advanced program at Purdue in 1942 for students who joined the United States Army before their high school graduation. He was called to active duty in 1943 and served our country in the South Pacific during World War II. He returned to Purdue following his discharge in 1946 and helped form his Fraternity Phi Kappa Tau serving in capacities from house manager to president and as an adviser. While at Purdue he joined Glenn Sample on WBAA radio for a daily noon show "Farm News and Markets". Gordon also developed and produced "Farms and Farming" a half hour show aired twice a week. Additionally, he was a member of the Purdue Zouves precision rifle team. Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1948. Gordon was then appointed inaugural Executive Secretary of Purdue Ag Alumni Association. In that capacity he helped organize alumni relations, recruit students, promote scholarships and organize the annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry for alumni and students returning to Purdue. He also started the Purdue Ag News Magazine as he earned his Masters Degree. Gordon was married to Nancy Bagott in 1969. She and Gordon are the proud parents of Bonnie Jean Van Gorder and Suzi Cook. In the early 1970's Gordon teamed up with Purdue Alumni Board Members and Associates to form the Purdue Alumni Club of Southern Az. He served as de fact o president of the club until a constitution was drafted. To this day Gordon continues to demonstrate exceptional Boilermaker Pride as he serves on the club's Board of Directors. He is one of the club's most active members helping with College Fairs, Award Ceremonies, and making consistent contributions to the Scholarship Fund. Last but not least he and a former classmate have established the Gordon Graham/Wayne Rothgeb Scholarship in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. Gordon Graham is a model Boilermaker. It is with complete pride and honor that I nominate him for the 2015 Purdue Boilermaker Pride Award.

The Rotary Club of Tucson is certainly honored and proud of our Rotarian, Gordon Graham.