Under the directorship of Dr. Emerson Gilbert, IUPUI Columbus offered classes in various locations of Columbus. In 1971, the university moved to the former Civilian Personnel Building at Bakalar Municipal Airport. In 1974, a move was made to the Technical Training Building, and the first advisory board was named. Dr. Paul R. Bippen became the university’s second director in 1977, a position he holds today, but with the title of dean.

In 1982, a capital fund drive was inaugurated, and the goal of $900,000 was topped by $5,000 in gifts and pledges. With the approval of $150,000 from the Indiana General Assembly for a building expansion project, renovation of the IUPUI Columbus facility was completed in October of 1985, with an expansion of over 60 percent of the pre-renovation square footage.

The Purdue Statewide Technology program was established at IUPUI Columbus in 1984. In 1987, an additional 11 acres of land was deeded to the IU Board of Trustees by the City of Columbus. Delivery of off-campus credit courses to six locations near Columbus began in 1989. Also in 1989, a small building on the campus grounds was renovated to become a science research facility. In 1990, IUPUI Columbus celebrated its twentieth anniversary. A child care program, offered jointly with Ivy Tech State College, was initiated.

In 1990-91, new landscaping was placed around the building. In the spring of 1991, the Diploma Ceremony, including both IUPU Columbus and Purdue University School of Technology students, was initiated. In 1991-92, a café was created and became heavily used. The American Business Seminar, a cultural exchange/business program involving students from Chartres, France, was initiated. In 1992-93, IUPU Columbus received reaccreditation by the North Central Association; touchtone registration was implemented; an Elderhostel program was initiated.

In 1994, IUPUI Chancellor Gerald Bepko announced the change of the name IUPUI Columbus to IUPU Columbus. Negotiations were completed to transfer academic and administrative responsibilities for Purdue Continuing Education offerings in Versailles to IUPU Columbus. Three key messages for the university were established: (a) we are IU and Purdue; (b) we provide university education on a personal level; (c) we are a good investment.

In 1996, a new logo was created for the campus. The Center for Economic Education of IUPU Columbus was created. An articulation agreement for ten mandated courses with Ivy Tech State College was negotiated. In 1997, the name Purdue Statewide Technology was changed to Purdue University School of Technology at Columbus, and the title of the Site Administrator was changed to Director. In 1999, the auditorium was renovated into office spaces for Student Services personnel. The Indiana General Assembly approved $750,000 in planning monies for the design of a learning facility to be located near IUPU Columbus and Ivy Tech State College Columbus. This facility, a partnership of IUPU Columbus, Purdue University School of Technology, Ivy Tech State College, and business and industry in Columbus, will house offices, classrooms, and other spaces for use by all of the educational institutions in Columbus. Academic programs needed by local business and industry will be offered in this facility. Expansion of our current facility and growth in new areas continues.

Mission Statement

Statement by the Dean

The 36 full-time and 150 adjunct IUPU Columbus faculty are committed to helping students learn; many are actively engaged in research that they bring into the classroom and in which they include their students. Students enjoy the personalized attention offered by both faculty and staff, in addition to the affordable tuition, convenience, and high quality of IU and Purdue programs.

We encourage students to become an active part of the campus by joining one of the student clubs on campus; contributing their artistic talents in writing, photography, or drawing to Literalines, IUPU Columbus’s magazine of the arts; or offering their service to the university through the Student Ambassador program. We are here to serve students; to assist them in developing their skills, understanding, and perspective; and to help them reach their academic goals. We invite them to visit the Columbus campus of IUPUI.