Photo by Tom Campbell

The Rodibaugh family boasts more than two dozen Purdue graduates, including Max, BS '74, a veterinarian (see graphic below).

"My internship at the Purdue swine farm helped me immensely with my own swine business," Jack says.

Jack received more than an education from Purdue; it is also where he met his wife, Emily, who was visiting Purdue for a conference. They have seven children, 28 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Many of his children and grandchildren are involved in the swine business in related areas.

Jack's son, Max, runs a veterinary practice, Swine Health Services, in Frankfort, Ind., and graduated with a BS degree from Purdue before receiving his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1977. He also is a 2006 Distinguished Agriculture Alumnus. Attending Purdue was an easy decision for Max.

"I had been raised in the swine business and I was very interested in learning more about the physiology of pigs," he says. "My dad and uncle had attended Purdue and it had a great reputation, so it was the natural choice."

Max and the rest of the Rodibaugh family often come back to campus for events and games.

"We are a Purdue family, and it started with my grandfather, when he attended Purdue during the Depression," Max says. "Counting him and the four generations later, there are 28 aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins that have all attended Purdue."

Max says that always having family at Purdue helps him to stay connected to Purdue Agriculture. He often returns to campus to work in the animal diagnostic lab at the School of Veterinary Medicine and to visit family and friends.

"I really appreciate the connection I have to professors and colleagues, because they are a wonderful resource," Max says. "As a family, we are lucky to be so close to Purdue."

Professor Robert Taylor cites numerous reasons why generation after generation return to the College of Agriculture.

"Purdue has a long tradition and a fabulous reputation for doing a great job of helping our students to have a wonderful college experience, including relevant extracurricular opportunities and great classes with stimulating, exciting teachers," Taylor says. "The administration and the faculty have given the classroom high priority, and people respond to positive experiences."

Taylor has taught agricultural economics since 1961 and has had numerous generations come through his Agricultural Economics 217 course. The course and Taylor are known throughout the campus.

"I've had lots of second-generation and some third-generation students," Taylor says. "Two years ago, I had three students bring greetings from a grandparent I'd had in class."

When John Hobbs started classes this fall, he was his family's third generation of Boilermakers. His parents, Scott and Lisa Hobbs of Tipton, Ind., and his grandparents, Dennis and Jo Blind of Lafayette, all are Purdue alums.

Dennis Blind grew up within seven miles of Purdue and graduated with a BA in education in 1955 and a master's in education administration in 1959.

"I am a hometown boy and took advantage of the opportunity to stay close to home and attend a great college," says Blind, a retired high school principal.

"I also had the opportunity through athletic scholarships to play basketball and baseball for Purdue."

Blinds's wife, Jo Steiner Blind, also graduated from Purdue with a BS in 1956. Their three girls and one boy all carried on the family tradition of attending Purdue. Daughter Lisa Hobbs graduated from Purdue in 1981.

"My dad was very open to what college we attended," Lisa says. "We attended some sporting events growing up, but my dad wanted us to experience Purdue as something new and exciting for ourselves."

Lisa followed in her father's footsteps by not only attending Purdue but also marrying a fellow Boilermaker, Scott Hobbs, BS '81. They operate a grain and livestock farm.

Scott was the first in his family to attend Purdue. His family had farmed for generations, and he was very active in helping with the grain and livestock responsibilities.

John, their oldest son, earned national recognition through both 4-H and FFA livestock judging competitions during his high school career.

John wanted to attend Purdue because of its strong agriculture programs. His judging activities introduced him to other people and faculty on campus. Growing up attending Purdue athletic events didn't hurt Purdue's chances of landing him as a student.

"It helps that my parents and grandparents went there as well," he quips.

All the multigenerational Boilermakers agree that the reputation of Purdue and Purdue Agriculture played significant roles in attracting each new generation to enroll. Dale Whittaker, MS '84, associate dean and director of academic programs for Purdue Agriculture, couldn't agree more.

"There is a deep loyalty to Purdue University — especially among graduates of the College of Agriculture — and our graduates have fond memories of caring professors, fun student clubs, and a challenging educational experience that prepared them well for life," Whittaker says.

"They want their own children to experience the same thing.

"As long as the college continues to have a unique family culture that includes its alumni and continues to deliver on the promise of an excellent education, I would imagine that the legacies will continue."