Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Margaret Troup
Purdue Senate discusses campus priorities, including solutions to sexual misconduct
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Senate's virtual meeting on Monday discussed areas where the university is excelling – such as in its recent vaccination rates on campus. The senate also discussed developing sexual assault recovery resources, weeks after scores of students protested outside a Board of Trustees meeting demanding the university take action against assaults on campus.
West Lafayette Schools near the end of renovation projects, superintendent search
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 48-month-long timeline of multiple major renovation projects at West Lafayette Schools is set to come to an end this December, according to Monday night's meeting. Since 2017, numerous renovation and construction projects have been achieved within WLSC. Examples include the West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School pool replacement and overall cafeteria, the addition of the JR Guy Education Wing and B.
Purdue Wine Grape Team aims to improve quality of Indiana-made wine
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Miranda Purcell recently joined the Purdue Wine Grape Team as its viticulture extension specialist, replacing Bruce Bordelon, who served on the team for over three decades. The Purdue Wine Grape Team is made up of three Hoosiers who each have important roles when it comes to Indiana wine. Jill Blune, the team's enology extension specialist, performs laboratory analyses on wine and juice.
Lafayette couple suing Amtrak over train derailment in Montana
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Multiple people, including a Lafayette couple, are suing Amtrak after they were injured in the recent Montana train derailment. Amtrak's Empire Builder was headed towards Seattle from Chicago and derailed near Joplin, Montana, on Sept. 25, according to multiple news sources.
Greater Lafayette restaurants utilize SBA funding to revitalize amid COVID-19
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — More than 50 restaurants in the Greater Lafayette area shared some $13.3 million in federal aid aimed at helping the food-hospitality industry revitalize amid the economic hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Area restaurants took part in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, established through the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided funding to keep the restaurant doors open.
West Lafayette's annual Trail of Scarecrows returns for its 12th season
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Prophetstown State Park has brought back its annual tradition of the Trail of Scarecrows for the 12th year in a row. Unique scarecrows crafted by Hoosiers all over the state are featured along the state park's paved and accessible trail. "We offer (the Trail of Scarecrows) as a way for the community to connect with us at Prophetstown," Jenna Parks Freeman, interpretive naturalist at Prophetstown State Park said.
Renaming of Purdue school a nod to White family's relationship to university
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— The Purdue Board of Trustees announced the renaming of Purdue University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management as the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In Friday's announcement, the Union Club Hotel will also be designated an "Autographed" property.
Purdue horticulture professor awarded nationally as a fellow
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Aaron Patton, a professor of horticulture and a turf grass Extension specialist at Purdue University was recently named as a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. "Any time that your peers can recognize you for your efforts," Patton said. "That's always very rewarding. I think all of us strive to go out and do our best and we hope that what we're trying to do is beneficial to others.
Nova Towers ribbon cutting comes after new tenants make themselves at home
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nova Towers Apartments had its grand opening celebration Tuesday morning in honor of the new 76 apartments recently built. Nova Towers Apartments began construction back in March 2020 and took about 15 months to complete. Slowdowns related to access to materials caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered the building's timeline slightly, but residents of Nova Towers have been moved in since mid-August.
West Lafayette City Council wants to add a high school-aged advisor to group
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The West Lafayette City Council wants to add a little youthfulness to the group. A resolution to create a youth-city council advisor position was presented and passed at a recent West Lafayette common council meeting. This resolution, No.16-21, opens up a position for a high school student, aged sophomore to senior, to take an advisor position on the West Lafayette council board.
Three historic West Lafayette buildings now under preservation protection
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The first privately owned property was officially approved for historic preservation, along with other West Lafayette historic buildings such as Margerum City Hall and Fire Station No. 1. The West Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission, which met last week, designates local historical districts in order to accurately preserve and protect the historic time period of the properties, according to its website.
County officials break ground on $15 million administration building, jail expansion
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ground has officially been broken on the new administration building and expansion to be added to the Tippecanoe County Community Corrections facility. The groundbreaking, hosted by the Tippecanoe County commissioners, first started as a an idea stemming from a 2018 feasibility study of the future needs of the jail, according to a release. "Our current jail was built in 1990 with an addition in 2003," Tippecanoe County commissioner Tom Murtaugh said.
Professor: Deaf community needs better access, awareness
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Being able to communicate with one another is one of life's essential necessities. How members of the Deaf community communicate is a focus this week, specifically on Thursday, designated International Day of Sign Languages. The theme is "We Sign For Human Rights!" "Everyone has a right to a language," Maren Linett, a Hard of Hearing English professor at Purdue, said.
Purdue enrollment record-breaking, just under 50,000 students
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The year 2021 has been a record-breaking year for Purdue, notably the university's record 10,191 freshman class and overall record enrollment of 49,639. Purdue, according to the statement, initially expected about 8,450 freshman students, which would have been smaller than the previous year's incoming class by around 400. However, an unexpected 3 percent jump in the amount of out-of-state students accepted into the school yielded the largest incoming class in Purdue history.
Purdue's homecoming week activities a mixture of live, virtual
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue announced its annual homecoming activities will be a combination of virtual and live events during the week-long celebration leading up to Oct. 2's football game at Ross-Ade stadium. “After an unpredictable year, one that included an all-virtual Homecoming in 2020, we are thrilled to welcome our alumni back to campus,” Matt Folk, president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation said in the statement.
Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov asks Purdue attendees: 'Does freedom have a future?'
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — If people don't participate, democracy could face "Checkmate." That's the message chess grandmaster and human rights advocate Garry Kasparov stressed this week to hundreds attending and tuning into Purdue University's Presidential Lecture Series. Over 600 live and 1,400 virtual audience members watched as Kasparov spoke Tuesday night about his work throughout his life and multiple careers.
Lafayette's Donte Wilburn named Indiana's small business entrepreneur of the year
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — There was a time in Donte Wilburn's past where winning a small business award might have been unimaginable. Finding his next meal, also unimaginable. A statewide award for being a small business leader wasn't in his future – until it was. Describing his youth sprinkled with crime, Wilburn accepted the 2021 Small Business Week Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Indiana Small Business Development Center Wednesday afternoon.
Both sides of mask debate consume public comment portion of TSC meeting
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The regular meeting of the Tippecanoe School Corp. saw impassioned members of the community air their opinions on both sides of the mask mandate debate. After initially starting the TSC meeting late, board members quickly called a recess once multiple audience members began voicing opinions before public participation had officially begun. This further delayed the meeting's call to order.
Civic Theatre's 'Murder on the Orient Express' delayed due to COVID-19 case
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's first show of its 90th season, Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" has been delayed until Sept. 17. Originally scheduled for its opening night Thursday, a positive COVID-19 test result from an asymptomatic, vaccinated cast member caused the delay of the show's debut.
Bill Kisinger to direct Lafayette Citizens Band for last time Labor Day
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After 37 years as the band director for Purdue University and then another 32 years conducting the Lafayette Citizens Band, Bill Kisinger is retiring from his career in local music. Labor Day's performance will be his last as director. "I figure that's enough," Kisinger said in regards to his almost seven decades of work in music.
Purdue campus continues semester with mask mandate, few complaints
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Despite concerns from at least one person in connection with Purdue, who reached out to the Journal & Courier, concerned the university may not be enforcing its masking rules as strictly as policy dictates, Purdue stands by its mission to be a safe, proactive campus. Purdue touts being one of the most vaccinated universities in the state with its “Protect Purdue” guidelines being reinforced.
Fathers, fatherly figures can have a dance with their favorite daughters
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fathers and daughters will get a chance to cut a rug, waltz, jitterbug, the "YMCA," whatever music we imagine would play during McAllister Recreation Center's fourth annual Father Daughter Dance Sept. 18. While this event is usually held in February, the 2021 event was postponed this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
From family of small business owners, Lafayette's Valiant embarks on Kitchen Tune-Up
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After multiple generations of family businesses, Walt Valiant is continuing this tradition by starting up his own branch of Kitchen Tune-Up, a kitchen remodeling business, for the Greater Lafayette area. "I actually grew up in a small business," Valiant said. "So I've always had a real big passion for small businesses in the local community. My dad took over my grandfather's business in Evansville.
Greater Lafayette named Community of the Year by Indiana Chamber
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Accomplishments such as building Loeb Stadium and the new Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds had the Indiana Chamber of Commerce recognize the Greater Lafayette community as the 2021 NextEra Energy Resources Community of the Year. With $889.5 million in public investment and around $1.5 billion in private sector investments invested in the Greater Lafayette community from 2015-2020, according to a statement, many accomplished projects have been completed in the area.
Sen. Sanders in West Lafayette promoting $3.5 trillion bill; opposition rally criticized the spending
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Nearly 2,400 people attended a town hall Friday night featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders, who detailed his support for the pending $3.5 trillion Reconciliation Bill. The town hall, with officially 2,328 in attendance, was held at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park. "We are now working on two major pieces of legislation," Sanders said.
Lafayette parks events will continue to sizzle even as summer cools down
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The end of summer doesn't mean events through Lafayette Parks and Recreation are slowing down. Multiple upcoming events were discussed at Monday's board meeting. The next Free Day at Columbian Park will be Saturday, Sept. 4. The previous Free Day was held on July 5 in celebration of the grand opening of Memorial Island. "We're really looking forward to that," Samantha Haville, Lafayette Parks and Recreation marketing manager, said.
Friday's pop-up market aimed at raising renovation funds for historic Duncan Hall
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — If the walls of Duncan Hall could talk, this historic facility might tell us about John F. Kennedy's visit, a play performance in the 1930s, a ballroom dance. A pop-up market Friday aims at keeping those stories as well as Duncan Hall alive, with food, wine, raffle baskets and much more offered. The hours of the market will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Since 1931, the Thomas Duncan Hall has been the venue for weddings, plays, art shows, ballroom dances and even a speech by then-Sen.
Sen. Bernie Sanders schedules West Lafayette town hall
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Former U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders will host a town hall to discuss President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion budget Reconciliation Bill Friday. The Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park will serve as the stage for Sanders's town hall, a stop on his way across the Midwest. Sanders will also be visiting Iowa later this month. "Why am I making these trips? The answer is simple," Sanders, D-Vermont, said in a Facebook post.
Tippecanoe County Assessor's Office recognized internationally for modernizing its work
LAFAYETTE Ind. — The Tippecanoe County Assessor's Office has modernized the collection and accessibility of property data, a feat recently earning the office the international Special Achievement in Geographic Information System award. The Tippecanoe County office was the only recipient representing the state of Indiana.
West Lafayette sewing expert wins international award
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — On the global stage, Laura Nelson has sewn up a victory of sorts. Owner of Sew Nice Custom Window Treatments & Soft Home Furnishings, Nelson recently won first place in the international VISION Design & Workroom Competition. Nelson, who created Sew Nice from the ground up in 1994, has been sewing for as long as she can remember. With over 27 years of sewing experience under her belt, Nelson has now been internationally recognized for her work in combination treatments.
Tippecanoe School Corporation votes to require masks in emergency meeting
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After an emergency meeting called by the Tippecanoe School Corp. Monday morning, the board voted 6-1 to implement a mask mandate in TSC schools. The most discussed topic at Monday morning's meeting was the current number of TSC students in quarantine.
Making the pitch: Loeb Stadium transforms into soccer field with help of modern technology
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Loeb Stadium is much more than just a baseball field with it being used as a commencement ceremony site, a venue for possible future concerts and now, a soccer field. The first soccer game of the season took place Wednesday night with the Central Catholic girls soccer team winning over Lafayette Jefferson, 2-0. This was not only the first soccer game of the season, but the first one to take place at the Loeb Stadium.
Want to do the time warp again? Auditions for 'Rocky Horror' announced
The Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for its first musical of the season, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," on Sunday and Monday. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is set to perform at Civic Theatre from Oct. 28-31 and Nov. 4-6. The performances will be live as opposed to utilizing a shadow cast – having the actors perform as the film adaptation of "Rocky Horror" is playing at the same time.
Ware of East Tipp Middle School a Teacher of Year finalist
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Sharita Ware, an engineering and technology education teacher at East Tipp Middle School, has made it to the top 10 finalists of the 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year Program. According to its website, the Indiana Teacher of the Year Program, "... works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state." For the 2022 nominees, Ware has made it to the top 10 finalists, with the winner to be announced in October.
Purdue's Memorial Union launches five new restaurant concepts
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Eating options are set to expand significantly at the Purdue Memorial Union. Cornerstone Restaurant Group in partnership with Aramark, Purdue's foodservice provider, is bringing five new restaurant concepts in Purdue's Memorial Union. Cornerstone operates a number of restaurants, including Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, MJ23, Sol Toro, Urbanbelly and Chef Bill Kim's Pizza & Parm Shop, among others.
RNR Tires begins soft opening in Lafayette, official start in September
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Over the past 29 months, RNR Tires Express has opened a new location every month, and the first Tippecanoe County location will have a grand opening in September. A soft opening started Monday. Many products, services and payment options, such as custom wheels, alignments and a four-month "same as cash" payment plan will be offered at this new RNR location – 1500 Sagamore Pkwy. S.
Generous donation to IU Health Arnett Hospital's child life program enhances its mission
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Child Life Program at IU Health Arnett Hospital has been making the oftentimes intimidating hospital experience for children more comfortable since 2018. With a donation from someone who wishes to remain anonymous, the program is set to thrive in the coming years. Olivia Rauschenbach and Mollie Lane, the two certified child life specialists at IU Health Arnett Hospital, help make children's stays less intimidating through multiple forms of play and comforting items.
Ribbon cutting for Margerum City Hall a celebration of 'the soul' of West Lafayette
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The "soul of West Lafayette" lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her, and now Sonya L. Margerum's name graces her city's main government building. A grand opening of Margerum City Hall, in honor of the former West Lafayette mayor, which took place Friday afternoon, showcased the depth of her impact on the city.
Hallberg given Sagamore of the Wabash for work in diabetes research
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Dr. Sarah Hallberg, the medical director at Virta Health, was recently awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash award for her work in diabetes research. The Sagamore of the Wabash first started in 1946 with then-Indiana Gov. Ralph Gates. Gates was on his way to a conference of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio officials when he learned that the then-Kentucky governor, Simeon S. Willis, planned to award gates the Kentucky Colonel, the state's highest honor.
Both sides of mask mandate air it out during TSC board meeting, but decision unchanged
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Despite a public comment section that extended the Tippecanoe School Corp. meeting by more than two hours, with expressed opinions on both sides of mask wearing, the board on Wednesday did not change its most recent vote. Masks in schools will remain optional for the 2021-2022 academic year. Before the TSC board meeting began, a line strung down and around the corner from the building as members of the community awaited entry.
Dogs take the annual Pooch Plunge, annual event to benefit Lafayette area facilities
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Dogs of all shapes and sizes made quite a splash at The 10th Annual Pooch Plunge, and in the process raised money for some of their favorite area animal facilities. Owners have through Thursday to bring their canine friends to Shamrock Dog Park for a Pooch Plunge.
LSC board meeting ends when audience members refuse to wear masks as asked
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Lafayette School Corp. board meeting on Monday abruptly adjourned when members of the audience declined the board's request to wear masks. Originally having multiple orders of recommendations on the agenda, the LSC meeting Monday night was cut short when members of the board asked the audience to wear face masks. Just after the role call, Les Huddle, superintendent of LSC, explained that all LSC buildings are currently mask mandated and asked the audience to put on a mask.
Hypersonic ground testing site at Purdue will be first of its kind in U.S.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University continues to hit the throttle on its interest in aerospace and national security, as the university announced the construction of the first-of-its-kind U.S. facility to test hypersonic technologies. Announcement of the Hypersonic Ground Test Center, in the Purdue Aerospace District adjacent to the West Lafayette campus, came during a two-day Hypersonics Summit hosted by Purdue and the National Defense Industrial Association.
Purdue professor Dr. Kenneth Ferraro wins national award for gerontology work
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— Dr. Kenneth Ferraro, a distinguished professor of Sociology and director of the Center on Aging and the Life Course, was recently chosen as the national winner of the Robert W. Kleemeier Award for his work in gerontology. Gerontology, the study of the physical, mental and social changes that come with age, is a field that Ferraro has over 40 years of experience in.
How is Purdue housing 10,000 incoming freshmen? Simple: Convert two-bed dorms to hold four
WEST LAFAYETTE – With the largest incoming class in the past 40 years of Purdue history set to arrive, the University Residences department had to make some changes to accommodate the upcoming 10,000 freshmen. One priority necessary to expand capacities for on-campus housing was turning rooms made for two people into ones that can hold up to four. “So a typical double room would typically have two students assigned to it,” Barb Frazee, assistant vice provost for student life, said.
Proposed WonderLand Experiential Learning Center a place students will 'learn by doing'
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — During a meeting where trustees voted to require masks indoors for the upcoming school year, the West Lafayette Community School Corp. also discussed a possible center of experiential learning. The WonderLand Experiential Learning Center would be a place where students can "learn through engagemnt," according to WonderLand CEO and co-founder Tong Jin Kim. Kim is also a Purdue associate professor of industrial design. No action was taken on the proposed learning center.
Tippecanoe School Corporation board votes to keep masks optional
The Tippecanoe School Corp. board Wednesday evening decided to keep masks optional in indoor space for the 2021-22 school year. The vote was split, 4 to 3, to make masks optional. The decision came days after counterparts on the west side took a more aggressive approach to the recent recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that all U.S. citizens, regardless of vaccination status, should resume the use of facial coverings in public indoor areas in high risk places.
First Friday Lafayette to highlight local artists, businesses
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Collaborative efforts of the Tippecanoe Art Federation (TAF), Greater Lafayette Commerce, the city of Lafayette, Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette and local small business owners have put together First Friday Lafayette, a monthly fair on the first Friday of each month. Started in May 2021, First Friday Lafayette is still a relatively new venture for TAF. However, support from patrons, local businesses and local artists has been undeniable.
Construction on The Ellsworth part of city's mission to grow Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Providing additional space for a growing population is at the heart of one of the latest projects in downtown Lafayette, the development of The Ellsworth, planned as a mixed-use apartment building. The Ellsworth has the "build it and they will come" potential, officials said this week. Rebar Development and Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski ceremoniously kicked off the construction on Tuesday.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Margaret
Contact Margaret, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack