NEVER FINISHED
// By Kenda Resler Friend (LA’90, MS A’91)
Prospective students. Current Boilermakers.
Exuberant graduates. Nostalgic alumni.
Since 2008, Purdue people of all kinds have paused at the Unfinished Block P statue, located just north of Stewart Center at the heart of campus. This unique piece of art has become a campus landmark symbolizing the common bond of the Purdue experience and the importance of perseverance.
Prospective students. Current Boilermakers. Exuberant graduates. Nostalgic alumni.
Since 2008, Purdue people of all kinds have paused at the Unfinished Block P statue, located just north of Stewart Center at the heart of campus. This unique piece of art has become a campus landmark symbolizing the common bond of the Purdue experience and the importance of perseverance.
Iron Key Casts Project Vision
Iron Key—established in 1910 as the Order of the Iron Key—is a semi-secret honorary society that focuses on philanthropy. Each year, this anonymous group of seniors selects a meaningful project designed to benefit Purdue.
With Purdue leadership promoting the beautification of campus at the time, the Iron Key Class of 2008 set objectives around a permanent yet interactive installation that would celebrate the Purdue experience. Their objectives aligned with an idea hatched by fellow student Robert Rotundo, who envisioned an unfinished statue much like the final version—a monument that would unite all Boilermakers, including those who did not complete a Purdue degree.
Rick and Rita Hadley, an artist couple from nearby Otterbein, Indiana, fell in love with the concept and agreed to create the art for free. All the students needed to do was raise the money for the materials—and get the university to approve the idea.
“We had our objectives, and we knew what we wanted to do as we headed into the university-approval process,” says Shane Hageman (LA’08, A’08, MS A’12), who was president of Iron Key in 2008. However, the approval process would not be a simple task.
Turbulence Encountered
While the project had the support of Purdue President France Córdova (HDR S’12), others in the approval chain were not initially on board.
“Turbulence is one way to describe what the students encountered,” recalls Tony Hawkins (PhD EDU’80), who retired as associate vice president for student affairs at Purdue after serving as the dean of students and an Iron Key advisor. “There was resistance to the project from several angles. They learned to never doubt what a small group of people can accomplish.”
The students navigated and negotiated, ultimately receiving approval while also raising the significant funds required.
“My peers and I learned the important life lesson to just keep pushing if you believe what you are doing is for the greater good,” Hageman says.
An anonymous donor stepped forward, as did former Iron Key member Rex Sebastian (S’51). Although Sebastian passed away before the statue was completed, Hageman and several other Iron Key members had the opportunity to meet him in person to thank him for his support.
“You don’t give up, even when obstacles
are being thrown at you.”
“You don’t give up, even when obstacles are being thrown at you.”
A Landmark Is Born
On October 25, 2008, the eight-foot-tall bronze Unfinished Block P statue was dedicated—and it immediately became a symbol of Purdue. From serving as the university’s very first Twitter icon to being a beauty shot shown during TV coverage of basketball games, the statue lived up to the objective of beautification and unification.
The statue is now a natural gathering spot for moments both celebratory and serious. None are more solemn than the annual Golden Taps ceremony. Each spring, this event brings together families of Purdue students who have passed away before attaining their degrees. Families are given a small golden replica of the statue as part of the ceremony.
“That was one of the original intentions with the monument—to honor all Boilermakers and give families a tangible reminder of how much Purdue cares for each and every student who steps on campus,” Hageman says.
A Landmark Is Born
On October 25, 2008, the eight-foot-tall bronze Unfinished Block P statue was dedicated—and it immediately became symbol of Purdue. From serving as the university’s very first Twitter icon to being a beauty shot shown during TV coverage of basketball games, the statue lived up to the objective of beautification and unification.
The statue is now a natural gathering spot for moments both celebratory and serious. None are more solemn than the annual Golden Taps ceremony. Each spring, this event brings together families of Purdue students who have passed away before attaining their degrees. Families are given a small golden replica of the statue as part of the ceremony.
“That was one of the original intentions with the monument—to honor all Boilermakers and give families a tangible reminder of how much Purdue cares for each and every student who steps on campus,” Hageman says.
Persistent Pursuit
The Iron Key Class of 2008 gathered at the Unfinished Block P in October 2023, some 15 years after its completion, to reconnect with each other and reflect on their contribution to Purdue. Looking at the contents of a time capsule created in 2008 brought back memories of the hard work required to get the statue built.
“Our group includes pharmaceutical executives to the superintendent of one of the country’s largest school systems to lawyers and writers,” says Hageman.
“Our common bond of being in persistent pursuit was clear, and it was great to be together. Being at Purdue is more than working for a diploma. As the statue symbolizes, you are forever part of the Purdue experience.”
The Unfinished Block P statue serves as a reminder that even after graduating from Purdue, our experience is not over. Rather, we carry through life our numerous memories, friendships, lessons learned, and skills acquired. The Unfinished Block P is an emblem encouraging all Purdue students, alumni, and friends to treasure all that Purdue has blessed us with and to keep the Purdue experience close at heart, not only for ourselves but for all that we loved here and for all those students who, for various reasons, did not get the opportunity to complete the Purdue experience. In essence, the real Purdue is not simply the physical facility or the location of the university, but the cumulative and lasting impact and wonder of our interactions with faculty, staff, other students, and all the events that occur during our time together. Once a part of the experience, we are all eternally Purdue.
—Iron Key vision statement for the Unfinished Block P
Persistent Pursuit
The Iron Key Class of 2008 gathered at the Unfinished Block P in October 2023, some 15 years after its completion, to reconnect with each other and reflect on their contribution to Purdue. Looking at the contents of a time capsule created in 2008 brought back memories of the hard work required to get the statue built.
“Our group includes pharmaceutical executives to the superintendent of one of the country’s largest school systems to lawyers and writers,” says Hageman.
“Our common bond of being in persistent pursuit was clear, and it was great to be together. Being at Purdue is more than working for a diploma. As the statue symbolizes, you are forever part of the Purdue experience.”
The Unfinished Block P statue serves as a reminder that even after graduating from Purdue, our experience is not over. Rather, we carry through life our numerous memories, friendships, lessons learned, and skills acquired. The Unfinished Block P is an emblem encouraging all Purdue students, alumni, and friends to treasure all that Purdue has blessed us with and to keep the Purdue experience close at heart, not only for ourselves but for all that we loved here and for all those students who, for various reasons, did not get the opportunity to complete the Purdue experience. In essence, the real Purdue is not simply the physical facility or the location of the university, but the cumulative and lasting impact and wonder of our interactions with faculty, staff, other students, and all the events that occur during our time together. Once a part of the experience, we are all eternally Purdue.
—Iron Key vision statement for the Unfinished Block P
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