Alumni Spotlight

Martin C. Jischke

We'd like to take this opportunity for our first ever brotherhood spotlight to highlight the career and background of Delta Tau Delta Alumnus and current President of Purdue University, Martin C. Jischke. (pronounced JIS-key).

Dr. Martin C. Jischke

A little know fact around Purdue University is that the governing President of the University is a Delta Tau Delta alumnus. President Martin Jischke started his greek experience by pledging the Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity in downtown Chicago, at the Illinois Institute of Technology during his second semester of his freshman year (1960). He later went on and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physics from IIT in 1963.

In an interview featured in The Purdue Greekvine, Issue #3 2000, Jischke best remembers about 10 fraternities on the IIT campus early in the 1960's. He joined the Delt House because of its terrific group of young men as well as the leadership and social opportunities … As quoted from the aforementioned article, “It was a very important part of my undergraduate experience.”

Visionary Leadership

Jishcke's executive leadership was evident early on in his career, stemming from numerours leadership positions held while at IIT. He held countless positions in the house including: officer of his Pledge Class, Social Chair, Rush Chairman, and Chapter Vice President. Jischke was also active in inter-fraternity sports as well as singing competitions. He also actively held President of the Student Union Board, as well as President of his Senior Class.

A strong impact

Dr. Jischke has been known to make a deep, lasting impression, as evident by Jon Bost, a 1963 Delt Alumnus and IIT graduate. According to an interview with Mr. Bost, he remembers Jischke as a brilliant, hard-working, intense individual. As Bost reflects back on his time spent with Jishcke, he remembers Jischke playing an instrumental role in developing the FIRST ever homecoming celebration at IIT!

Career Advancements

Martin & Patty Jischke

After graduating from IIT, Jischke went to receive a doctoral degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968. That same year, Jischke joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. During his 17 year tenure at OU, he served as dean of the College of Engineering and later in 1985 was named interim President of the University.

Later in 1991, after leaving the University of Oklahoma, Jischke became President of Iowa State University holding that position for 9 years. According to sources within Purdue's web site, Iowa State made huge strides university made huge strides in improving undergraduate education, expanding research programs, increasing student diversity, and raising money for scholarships. Private fund-raising at Iowa State set records each year under Jischkeís leadership, topping $100 million annually.

Purdue's 10th President

The eight-month search to appoint the 10th president of Purdue came to a close with the introduction of Martin C. Jischke, former Iowa State University president, on May 23, 2001 in Loeb Playhouse. After answering questions from the press, Jischke, who took office August 14, 2001, modeled the latest addition to his wardrobe while his wife, Patty, adjusted the bill of his new hat. You read more about Martin Jischke, his background, education, and biography here.

About our Alumnus

Martin C. Jischke was born in Chicago on August 7, 1941. He graduated from Proviso High School in Maywood, a suburb on Chicagoís west side, and earned his bachelorís degree in physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1963. Martin and Patty Jischke were married in 1970. They have two children, Charles, 24, an audio engineer living in Studio City, California, and Mary, 19, a sophomore in industrial engineering at the University of Wisconsin.

On behalf of the members of the Gamma Lambda chapter of Delta Tau Delta, we look forward to embracing the values, beliefs, integrity, and visionary leadership Dr. Jischke brings to Purdue!

Additional Resources