Dedication:
The fountain was dedicated in 1989, after the renovation of the Purdue Mall. It was a gift from the Class of 1939.
Location:
The fountain is located in the large space in front of Hovde Hall, at the center of the Mall's crisscrossing walkways. Students walk around it on the way to class. Its location in the Purdue Mall makes it the perfect backdrop for people to take pictures by after graduation or when perspective students visit the campus. On sunny spring or fall days students can be found studying, napping, eating, talking, or playing Frisbee on the lawn around the fountain.
History of the Modifications of the Fountain:
When the Purdue Mall Fountain was originally built, it lacked the stainless steel cylinder that houses the water jet. This meant that people playing in the fountain could get directly into the jet, as it shot water upward. The powerful stream had the ability to launch small children into the air or knock them off balance when they jumped over it. There were several instances of accidents resulting in broken bones and other injuries. A faculty senate committee met to discuss several different options to make the fountain safer. One proposal was to install a 42 inch fence around the area of the jet. However, this would mean that people could no longer play in the fountain at all. Also, many people believed that this detracted from the appeal of the fountain. Another idea was to only run the fountain on special occasions. Eventually the committee decided to use Robert Youngman's idea. Robert Youngman, the architect of the fountain, suggested that a reflective stainless steel cylinder, 10 feet-high with a 32 in diameter, be place around the jet. It keeps people playing in the fountain from getting directly into the stream which launches 588 gallons into the air per minute. The modification took place in 2001. After the cylinder was set in place, the fountain was turned back on. At the time, some students were upset about the modification, but others believed it added artistic flare to the structure.
Fountain Runs:
It is a Purdue tradition for students to do a "Fountain Run" before they graduate. There are many ways to do this Fountain run, but typically the run is started in the Purdue Mall Fountain. Students must run around the metal cylinder in the Mall Fountain. Then they must run to the Lion Head Fountain close to Wetherill and drink from all four drinking spigots. The next step is to dip your feet in the John Purdue Fountain located next to John Purdue's grave. The last step is to play in the Loeb Fountain in Founders Park.
The fountain was dedicated in 1989, after the renovation of the Purdue Mall. It was a gift from the Class of 1939.
Location:
The fountain is located in the large space in front of Hovde Hall, at the center of the Mall's crisscrossing walkways. Students walk around it on the way to class. Its location in the Purdue Mall makes it the perfect backdrop for people to take pictures by after graduation or when perspective students visit the campus. On sunny spring or fall days students can be found studying, napping, eating, talking, or playing Frisbee on the lawn around the fountain.
History of the Modifications of the Fountain:
When the Purdue Mall Fountain was originally built, it lacked the stainless steel cylinder that houses the water jet. This meant that people playing in the fountain could get directly into the jet, as it shot water upward. The powerful stream had the ability to launch small children into the air or knock them off balance when they jumped over it. There were several instances of accidents resulting in broken bones and other injuries. A faculty senate committee met to discuss several different options to make the fountain safer. One proposal was to install a 42 inch fence around the area of the jet. However, this would mean that people could no longer play in the fountain at all. Also, many people believed that this detracted from the appeal of the fountain. Another idea was to only run the fountain on special occasions. Eventually the committee decided to use Robert Youngman's idea. Robert Youngman, the architect of the fountain, suggested that a reflective stainless steel cylinder, 10 feet-high with a 32 in diameter, be place around the jet. It keeps people playing in the fountain from getting directly into the stream which launches 588 gallons into the air per minute. The modification took place in 2001. After the cylinder was set in place, the fountain was turned back on. At the time, some students were upset about the modification, but others believed it added artistic flare to the structure.
Fountain Runs:
It is a Purdue tradition for students to do a "Fountain Run" before they graduate. There are many ways to do this Fountain run, but typically the run is started in the Purdue Mall Fountain. Students must run around the metal cylinder in the Mall Fountain. Then they must run to the Lion Head Fountain close to Wetherill and drink from all four drinking spigots. The next step is to dip your feet in the John Purdue Fountain located next to John Purdue's grave. The last step is to play in the Loeb Fountain in Founders Park.