WEST LAFAYETTE—Purdue likes to call itself "The Cradle of Astronauts," and with good reason. 25 Purdue graduates have gone on to become NASA astronauts.
Two of the 12 Americans who set foot on the moon between 1969 and 1972 are Purdue alumnus. Neil Armstrong was the first in 1969 and Gene Cernan was the last American on the moon in 1972.
The West Lafayette campus is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Armstrong's historic moonwalk with a number of Saturday events.
9 a.m. to noon. Apollo in the Archives: A selection of Neil Armstrong papers will be on view at the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Library in Stewart Center.
10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Showing of Armstrong documentary film. This new documentary film features home videos shot by Armstrong and unseen footage from NASA. It's narrated by Harrison Ford. No ticket is required, and doors to Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse open at 9:30 a.m.
Noon to 1 p.m. Space author meet and greet. Four authors with Purdue ties will discuss their space exploration books, which will also be on sale.
Noon to 4 p.m. Food station. On the north side of Memorial Hall. Round Barn Creamery will have a special Apollo 50 anniversary ice cream on sale. The Daily Bite food truck will also be there from noon to 2 p.m.
Noon to 4 p.m. K-12 STEM activities. At Neil Armstrong Hall and the Purdue Mall fountain. An up close look at lunar samples collected by Apollo astronauts, plus many additional displays and events.
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Past, Present, Future, NASA Flight Director Panel. At Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunar Module Landing Celebration. This event features a multimedia tribute and a flyover by an F-100.
