PCC Weekly Email - Week of March 3

WEEK OF MARCH 3, 2025

April PCC Meeting
Our next meeting will take place in April and will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

Date: April 29

Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Meeting link: Microsoft Teams Meeting

Purdue in the News

Dominican Today: President Abinader to speak at AAFA Summit in Washington, visit Purdue University
The Weather Channel: New data shows Mars’ red hue may have come from a different source than previously thought

Behind Disney’s Magic: Senior Technical Director Eric Hall on Theatre Engineering and Pyrotechnics at ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Eric Hall (BS multidisciplinary engineering ’95), senior technical director at Disney Live Entertainment.

Eric recently celebrated 30 years at Disney, and he’s part of the team that’s instrumental in the safety, execution and enchantment behind iconic fireworks shows like “Epcot Forever” and “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.”

In this magical episode of “This Is Purdue,” you will:

Hear how Eric’s hands-on experiences in the theatre engineering program, part of Purdue’s colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts, prepared him for a career in live entertainment
Explore the day-to-day life of a 30-year Disney veteran, from the innovative live show processes to the technical, behind-the-scenes details
Find out more about the parks’ rigorous safety protocols and the training Disney implements to protect its visitors and cast members
Learn why Eric is committed to mentoring young Boilermakers, specifically in the multidisciplinary engineering program, and giving students the tools and guidance they need to succeed in their own live entertainment careers
Get the inside scoop into future shows coming to some of the most beloved Disney parks

Don’t miss this episode featuring our first Disney Boilermaker, who is helping bring enchantment to millions of fans each year!

Brands That Matter panel to examine Purdue-led pharmaceutical transformations
Purdue’s position as a key player in the future of the pharmaceutical industry will be spotlighted at the Fast Company Grill on Saturday (March 8) during the annual South by Southwest Conference & Festivals in Austin, Texas. President Mung Chiang will take the stage at the Brands That Matter panel titled “Innovating What Matters: Driving Pharma Forward.” Kelly Hiller, vice president of marketing for Purdue Brand Studio, also will participate in a high-profile panel, “Bold Moves: How Cultural Resonance Creates Brand Impact.”

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Storytelling tip: Give it a rest
Sometimes the best thing you can do to improve the overall quality of your story is put it away for a while.

Our brains get foggy once we’ve been working on a piece for several hours at a time. It’s important that we give ourselves a chance to recharge our batteries — even if it’s only a few minutes to take a short walk, fold the laundry or any other activity that lets us reset.

In his book “Creative Endurance,” Fast Company creative director Mike Schnaidt wrote that he draws on his iPad during recovery breaks, which focus his brain on a different creative task and distract from writer’s block. “When I return, even if it’s 10 minutes later, I have an objective point of view and can immediately see areas for improvement in my writing,” said Schnaidt, who added that he also gets more work done immediately after taking a break.

Schnaidt closed with another valuable piece of advice for all creatives:

“Remember this,” he wrote, “a well-rested mind is more powerful than a tired set of hands.”

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