Writer: Matt Vader | Editors: Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic, Danielle Fawbush
Editorial Board: John Eckman, Barb Frazee, Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic | Inquiries Contact: studentlifemarketing@purdue.edu
Patty Jones, Purdue alumna and current principal and healthcare management consultant for Milliman in Seattle, has accomplished a great amount in her line of work over the past 30 years. Beginning her career working for the Blue Cross Blue Shield system for 10-plus years, Jones moved her career forward by working with several operating companies and running her own consulting firm for a decade before joining the team at Milliman more than 10 years ago. Jones originally came to Purdue for veterinarian school after years of participating in 4H, but eventually crossed over and graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. After graduation, Jones worked for a large teaching hospital in Boston where she decided to attend Boston University for her master’s degree in business administration in healthcare.
“I was really interested in what was so important about the healthcare industry that was getting all of this money and finance,” Jones said. “I think this was kind of in my blood from the start because when I was graduating from nursing school, I had to pick a disease and do a project on it and the disease I picked was cost inflation, which almost got me kicked out of nursing school.”
While she worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield, she got involved in healthcare policy and lobbying Congress at the association level as she studied the rising costs of healthcare in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Though Jones has worked in consulting for more than 20 years, she still uses her clinical knowledge in her day-to-day work, which currently focuses on data analytics. Purdue’s nursing program was able to provide Jones with knowledge she still uses today, and her experience as a resident assistant has contributed as well. Jones found the orientation program and training sessions prior to becoming an RA to not only be useful when connecting with people in a residence hall, but also in the work place.
“One way to connect with people is when you go in someone’s environment, like their room or office, and you look around and you can see what’s important to them. You will see pictures, posters and music, and if you read their environment you will know them. And now I use that skill every day. It’s a great survival technique. I learned that solely from staff resident training,” Jones said.
Outside of academics and her RA job, Jones found herself involved in the softball and skating clubs, Nursing Honorary Society, and social committee at Meredith Hall. Jones hasn’t been on campus since graduation, she hopes to visit the Nursing School when she does.
“I would love to spend time with the nursing students and talk to them about some of the alternate careers. There are just so many different things in policy making in business where nurses can really flourish and add value,” Jones said.
By crossing over from nursing to business administration in healthcare, Jones has been able to travel across the country. She has had the opportunity to call not only Seattle her home, but also Boston, Chicago and Washington throughout her career.
“Being from New England, that is where my heart and family is. I had eight of the most wonderful years in Chicago. It is such a great place to live when you’re young. It’s fun and affordable. And now Seattle is beautiful. Very laid back,” Jones said.
Since Jones found her place at Purdue, she has gone on to achieve a great deal throughout her career. Even as a consultant working for one of the leading management consulting companies, she still has a passion for what she originally attended Purdue to do. Jones involves herself in animal rescue and animal organizations as much as she can, making her an accomplished businesswoman who changed majors and careers but not her passions.
Writer: Sheila Swibes
More than 160 people gathered at Harrison Hall over Homecoming weekend to celebrate the residence’s 50th anniversary this fall. The gathering included seven men from the very first class of Harrison residents who lived there in the 1966-67 school year.
The event included a BBQ lunch after the Purdue-Iowa football game and speeches from Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life; Barb Frazee, executive director of University Residences; and Andy Roberts and Stephen Pohl, two 1970s graduates of Purdue who lived in Harrison Hall and shared how the experienced shaped them as students. The Cavalier Club gave away Harrison 50th black and gold coffee mugs, while guests participated in tours of the building and a photo booth following the formal agenda.
The Harrison front lawn was decorated with Purdue’s black and gold as well as red, white and blue in honor of the building’s namesake, Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States and a member of the Purdue Board of Trustees from 1885-1901.
To see more photos from the event, visit the gallery on the University Residences Facebook page.
Writer: Matt Watson
“I live in a room with five bunks, so there are two bunks on either side and one in the middle of the room with a collection of wardrobes on either side. It’s huge so it’s been great,” said Scott.
Scott admitted her initial reaction to being placed in auxiliary housing was less than positive, but she has come to enjoy the unique setup and even hopes to stay put for as long as possible.
“Honestly, (living in auxiliary housing) has been really good because I had 10 roommates to begin with, but I’ve only lived with eight of them because two were moved out before BGR started. We were all cool with each other, and it’s been great. And now it’s down to just me and another girl in the room,” said Scott.
While the majority of Scott’s roommates have been moved across campus to Hilltop, Windsor, Owen, Wiley, Hillenbrand, and Harrison residence halls, she hopes to stay in auxiliary housing partly because of her participation in the hall’s community. By not living in a traditional room with neighbors up and down the hallway, Scott and her roommates have felt the need to stay out of their room and be more active in Meredith, attending hall dinners to become involved and meet other students.
Growing up a Boilermaker, Purdue was always Scott’s first choice. While Scott planned to attend the University for computer information technologies, she plans to switch majors next year when a new cybersecurity program officially launches. She’s involved in the Association of Information Technology Professionals at Purdue, as well as Campus House.
When asked about advice she would give to future students living in auxiliary housing, Scott left it short and sweet.
“Don’t sweat it,” Scott said.
Writer: Sheila Swibes
Writer: Matt Vader | Editors: Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic, Danielle Fawbush
Editorial Board: John Eckman, Barb Frazee, Tammy Loew, Renee Kashawlic | Inquiries Contact: studentlifemarketing@purdue.edu