Discover the timeless Purdue family traditions that unite students, alumni, and families, with a special focus on a Purdue Graduate and former Purdue Glee Club member, Joel O'Neil. He shares his Purdue story, revealing how attending Purdue University and participating in the Purdue Varsity Glee Club profoundly impacted his life. Check out how these traditions shaped his journey below.

A little about Joel

• What year(s) were you at Purdue and when did you graduate? I started my freshman year in the fall of 1987 and graduated in December of 1991
• What was your degree in? My degree was in Restaurant Hotel & Institutional Management

Inspiration to join Purdue Glee Club

• What initially inspired you to join the Purdue Glee Club, and how did that decision shape your time at Purdue? When I was in middle school two of my cousins were in the PVGC (Purdue Varsity Glee Club) and our family was invited to attend the PMO (Purdue Musical Organization) Christmas Show, this was probably in 1979.  I had always looked up to my cousins, I’m sure they thought I was a pest, but once I went to my first PMO Christmas Show I was hooked.  I asked my cousins questions about the Glee Club and they were always kind enough to answer. I don’t think I missed a Christmas Show from that time through the end of high school.  As I approached my high school graduation I was accepted to Purdue, and auditioned for the PVGC in late May, when I had a day on campus.  I had spent many hours preparing for the audition, but once I was in the office of the Director, Bill Allen at the time, he said he didn’t like the song I had picked and wanted me to sing a song I performed in a high school musical.  The accompanist DeDe Mantock went to a library of music on the wall, pulled out a book from the shelf and started playing it like she knew it all along.  I never felt more unprepared and off my game as I did that day.  Then after about two weeks the letter finally came that invited me to join the PVGC. I thought I had won the lottery.  It was, and still is, one of my most memorable experiences.  As a student at Purdue the impact of being a part of PMO was amazing.  I was immediately sucked up into this vacuum of not only class schedules, but rehearsals three times a week, shows nearly every weekend and the semesters flew by.  I loved all the traveling we did.

Memorable Performances

• Can you share one of your most memorable performances with the Purdue Glee Club? What made it stand out? Just about every show my freshman year was memorable since everything was a first and always exciting.  One experience that stands out is the Freshmen First Nighter.  Let me set you up for this show.  The week before classes started, the “New Men”( first year singers in the Glee Club) arrived at our dorms to drop off our things and then reported to the PMO offices to meet the other “New Men” for the first time.   Unfortunately, some of us didn’t meet the haircut requirements so we were split up and taken to a couple barber shops to “fix” our hair cuts.  Then almost immediately after that we found ourselves on a bus to Glee Club Camp.  This was an intense music camp, held off campus, where the focus was getting the freshmen to learn as many as 50-60 songs so the group could become one and sound as it did the previous year(s).  Every “New Man” class before us had the same experience and it can be a little intimidating because they are teaching the “New Men” so many things about what it takes to be a member of the PVGC.  There is virtually no downtime and rest is minimal.  However, the support the “New Men” get from all their fellow members during this time was immeasurable.  Once the camp ended, everyone returned to Purdue and was faced with the first show, the “Freshmen First Nighter”.  I remember getting dressed for the show and hoping I didn’t forget anything.  I was nervous.  Once at the Purdue Memorial Union we got ready to run out to the stage, but not as the full glee club;-just the “New Men” went on stage first.  All 21 of us.  All more nervous than we would admit.  Once we were introduced we ran out on stage and proceeded to sing 3-4 songs that seemed small and weak without the more experienced glee club members with us.  Once these songs ended the side door blew open and in ran the rest of the members to join us on stage.  What looked like 14 scared and nervous “New Men” quickly turned into a group of mature voices.  I never felt more supported at that time by others outside of my family than I did that night.

Traditions & Lifelong Impact

• How did being a part of the Glee Club influence your personal or professional life after graduating from Purdue?  Being a part of the Glee Club was something that definitely had a positive impact on my life.  It taught me a lot about myself and the gentleman I should be.  From table etiquette lessons, writing thank you notes, how to introduce guests, and putting on a suit and tie for special occasions.  But probably the strongest impact the Glee Club had on my professional life was when I was tasked to help raise funds and acquire sponsors for a public show called the Slayter Hill Concert.  After sending out several letters to businesses and later making a lot of follow-up calls, I was contacted by a representative of the Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) who asked if they could be a sole sponsor for the show.  I was asked to meet them at their main office, then located in Lafayette, and make a presentation for the show.  Little did I know that this relationship would not only solidify the PEFCU sponsorship for this show, which I believe still happens today, but only a few months after graduation became my place of employment.  I grew professionally at PEFCU and had remarkable leaders, who I considered mentors.

• Were there any particular traditions within the Purdue Glee Club that you cherished during your time there? Many don’t realize the hours of preparation it takes for PMO to put on the Christmas Show.  As students we would start attending rehearsals in late September.  It was required that all members of PMO attend a minimum of 20 hours outside of the regular rehearsal hours that were already scheduled.  This extra rehearsal was normally held in the evening and had to be completed before the stage rehearsals began sometime after Thanksgiving break.  That was always special because that was the only time of the year we connected with other groups of the PMO family and got to know each other better.  Another tradition I learned to appreciate was the tradition of spontaneous solos.  At any given time during a dinner or stage show the director might start a song that had a solo and this lucky person would be chosen at random just seconds before the solo.  Some solos were sung with confidence while others were sung with impromptu ad-lib lyrics that sounded just fine to our guests.  These still make me laugh today just thinking about them.

• How did your involvement with the Glee Club contribute to your sense of community or belonging on campus? As a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club there was a special feeling that you were a part of something much bigger than yourself.  Of course, we were all students who wanted to complete our degrees and move on to the careers that we were working toward, but while on campus I was fortunate enough to have many meaningful relationships that helped build a sense of community. Little did I know, this was setting me up for my later involvement in the many communities I would later become involved in.  Funny, but throughout my adult life I would continue to run into other Glee Club alumni who would help make that community experience even more meaningful.

• How did the friendships you made through the Glee Club impact your overall Purdue experience? Being in the Glee Club was the equivalent of being in a fraternity/sorority.  We spent just as much time together and had as many memories too.  We came from all over and had a variety of interests.  Having immediate friendships with people, who were also involved in other activities on campus, provided opportunities to get involved with events they were participating in.  This gave me, and many others, the occasion to explore what the campus had to offer.

• Were there any tours, trips, or special events the Glee Club participated in that had a lasting impact on you?  There were so many traditional shows that occurred each year that were memorable and fun in their own way.  To me, most of the local/regional trips were very special when we were hosted by families for an overnight, which meant we would get to connect with friends of PMO and enjoy some fantastic food.  The food was a highlight for some road shows too, especially if we ate as a group.  I remember stopping at some pretty nice places for steaks over the years. During the conclusion of my junior year with PMO we were afforded the opportunity to go on a tour of The United Kingdom.  There were previous trips years before but up until this time we hadn’t been on a trip during my three years. This was an incredible experience and my first trip outside of the United States.  I would love to go back someday and revisit some of the same sites we visited and sang at.

• How often do you return to Purdue, and what is it like for you now, especially when reflecting on your time in the Glee Club? How do you feel sharing the campus and your memories with family, and how has your perspective on the university changed since you were a student?  Despite only living an hour away, work and raising a family have slowed my visits to Purdue.  My wife is also a graduate of Purdue. My oldest son recently graduated from Purdue and during the four years he attended we would visit for an occasional homecoming, parents weekend, or just when we’re passing through West Lafayette.  More recently, my visits have been more intentional to see a friend or extended family member.  Over the years I’ve been on campus intermittently.  I love sharing my experiences with my family. Campus has changed a lot physically over the years, even PMO has their own building for rehearsals. Somehow the new generations of PMO students still find a way to make me feel at home when I come back.  I also receive the PMO newsletter and love seeing the different show schedules.  Some of the same shows I was in are still on their schedule.  That’s when small snippets of memories rush in and I’ll smile as I think back to when I went to a particular show.  Honestly, Since the high quality of PMO is still there I don’t see a big change except in their surroundings.

The Community

• How do you feel about the Greater Lafayette community today compared to when you were a student? What are your impressions when you visit, and how has the area changed or stayed the same in your eyes?  I love what has happened to downtown Lafayette.  Back in the 1990’s businesses were closed by 5p.m. and the only reason to come over to Lafayette from West Lafayette was to go to McCord Candies or Sgt Preston’s (which is closed).  Now there are so many restaurants and shops.  Even the Levee has changed for the better.  But most of the old haunts are still around:  Triple XXX, Bruno’s, Harry’s Chocolate Shop, etc.  All of which were there before I attended Purdue, but it’s nice that these places have stood the test of time and have a place among the new business.  Perhaps the changes don’t seem as drastic since these familiar places remain in the landscape when we drive through the community.

Extra Note

• Joel shares the following: I really miss singing with all my old friends.  At many of the show’s PMO has on the road they ask for PMO alumni to join them on stage for a traditional one or two song extended performance.  To this day, when I’ve been at one of these shows I still get a little nervous but I’m eager to get up there to hear the rich sound that makes you feel like you can stand up just from the sound waves around you.  It really takes you back.  I think I can speak for any PVGC alumni when I say it’s at that moment, we are proud we were a part of something so unique and special.  To this day I’ve not found an organization quite like it.  Boiler Up!

Founded in 1893, the Purdue Glee Club has represented Purdue University at events on campus, in the community, across the state, and at national and international gatherings. Over the years, they have built cherished traditions like the ones Joel shares above, blending timeless performances with new expressions of Purdue pride. Each event becomes part of a legacy, as they continue to inspire audiences and create lasting memories for generations of Boilermakers. Watch these remarkable performances and experience the spirit of Purdue come to life!