Purdue to Mark 150 Years of FSCL; Jim Russell Honored
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life (FSCL) will celebrate 150 years of leadership, scholarship and lifelong connection Sept. 26–27, 2025, in West Lafayette.
The anniversary, titled 150 Years of Legacy at Purdue University, invites all FSCL alumni and friends to reconnect and celebrate one of the nation’s largest fraternity, sorority and cooperative communities. As part of the celebration, FSCL is recognizing the FSCL150 Most Influential Alumni throughout 2025. The honor highlights extraordinary contributions and achievements of alumni whose impact has endured well beyond their undergraduate years, underscoring the value of lifelong commitment to their organizations.
Nominations for the distinction were accepted from across the community, with hundreds of names submitted for consideration. Following a comprehensive review, FSCL selected 150 alumni for recognition. Among those honored is James B. Russell (Purdue, 1975), a Delta Tau Delta alumnus who dedicated more than four decades to advancing the fraternity.
Russell served as executive vice president of Delta Tau Delta from 2001 to 2018. His tenure included establishing the fraternity’s headquarters in Fishers, Ind., launching The Road member education program, leading the 150th anniversary celebration, expanding leadership programming and guiding the fraternity to more than 10,000 undergraduate members. Under his leadership, Delta Tau Delta also achieved a historic 3.0 GPA benchmark and partnered with JDRF (now Breakthrough T1D) to raise more than $1.4 million for type 1 diabetes research.
Russell previously served as a chapter advisor, house corporation officer, division president and Arch Chapter member, and was president of the Fraternity Executives Association in 2016-17.
“The 150 Most Influential Alumni recognition pays tribute to individuals who embody the spirit of leadership and lifelong membership that defines FSCL at Purdue,” the announcement said.
The 150 Years of Legacy celebration will feature events designed to honor the community’s history, highlight alumni achievements and strengthen connections for future generations.