The Matthew Kern Memorial Garden, located between Russell Street and the Purdue golf course, was the university’s first native planting. The garden was dedicated in 1996, after the untimely demise of Purdue student Kern, by his parents. The garden was planted by Kern’s family, friends, and volunteers across campus. In addition to planting native varieties, such as purple and yellow coneflowers, bluebird houses were also built to promote greater biodiversity. To honor Kern’s memory, the School of Civil Engineering also offers the Matthew Edward Kern Environmental Engineering Scholarship/Fellowship to students who demonstrate, through academic achievement and extracurricular and employment activities, a strong commitment to environmental engineering (especially the conservation of our natural lakes, rivers, and/or wastewater treatment). Office of University Sustainability
