Putnam

It is a pleasure to welcome two new faces to the Purdue Agriculture Development Office: Kyle Bymaster, BS ’03, is our new director of development, and Megan Madia is our new stewardship coordinator.

A graduate of agricultural economics, Bymaster moves across campus from his current role as Purdue’s director of development for student services.

“I am excited to return to the agriculture arena,” he says. “I grew up on our family farm, so agriculture has always been a passion for me, and I look forward to working with the many individuals who have made the college a national leader.”

Bymaster lives just outside New Richmond, Ind., with his wife, Abi, and their infant daughter, Karly. He farms part time with his father, growing corn and soybeans in Montgomery County, and is an alumnus of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

Welcome back.

Bymaster

Madia graduated from Purdue in 2005 from the College of Liberal Arts, where she majored in physical recreation education.

She returns to campus after serving as the member services representative for the U.S. Rowing Association in Princeton, N.J.

The Madia name is a familiar one in Purdue Agriculture. Megan’s father, John, received his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and was honored as a Distinguished Agricultural Alumnus in 2007. Purdue connections run deep throughout Megan’s family. Reflecting on the opportunity to rejoin the university, she noted, “I have found that Purdue’s great reputation gives my degree an enormous amount of added value, as I am sure my dad, John, BS ’78, mom, Jean, (management ’78), sister, Kate, (education ’07), and brothers Andrew (health sciences ’10) and Daniel (management ’11) would agree!”

Welcome aboard.

The personal experiences that Kyle and Megan have enjoyed as part of the extended Purdue family will serve them well as they make the transition into their new roles. We are excited to have them with us.

Madia

As we look to the future, the recently announced “Access and Success” initiative provides the road map for development activities as we focus on new student scholarships and program support. We have a goal to raise $13 million to provide new scholarships based on merit as well as financial need, and to provide middle-income scholarships and support programs. This campaign is designed to benefit students across the board and ensure that a Purdue education remains an attractive and affordable option for families in Indiana and across the country.

It is a personal goal of mine as the new director of advancement to make sure donors understand how deeply we appreciate their investment in the research, teaching and engagement activities of Purdue Agriculture. I am confident that Kyle and Megan will do a great job helping us communicate that message.

Contact Putman at eputman@purdue.edu

Contact Bymaster at bymastkd@purdue.edu

Contact Madia at mmadia@purdue.edu