09-30-2026
As Bruce White Undergraduate Fellows, we traveled to Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, in August to participate in the second annual Frontier Summit alongside leaders in business, economics, and public policy.
Born from the legacy of Bruce White, founder of White Lodging, the Frontier Summit centers around his core philosophy: "Be a Leader, Be a Learner, Be a Friend." Throughout the three days, this philosophy set the tone for lively, in-depth conversations. We witnessed experts lead discussions by sharing thoughtful insights and welcoming diverse perspectives. Critical topics challenged our own ways of evaluating new ideas. Between sessions, we connected with fellow attendees over shared interests while enjoying Brush Creek Ranch's remarkable hospitality, exploring the ranch on horseback and by ATV.
The Frontier Summit sessions included moderated panel discussions among subject-matter experts, with time for attendees to engage directly through question-and-answer time. Panel discussions addressed a range of topics including:
Former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice each led conversations surrounding the role of conservatism in America and the current state of foreign policy, respectively.
Attending the Frontier Summit pushed both of us to consider relevant issues that are critical to our nation's growth and challenged us to return to Purdue with a commitment to tackling hard questions.
Among our many takeaways from the Frontier Summit and the content discussed, we were encouraged by the honesty, openness, and willingness of attendees to engage in conversations with those they disagreed with. Instead of drawing divisions and tiptoeing around complex issues, we experienced sessions where individuals found common ground upon which they could identify solutions that move America forward. One particular idea that resonated with us was incremental policy progress. A proposed solution may not be perfect — but when we reach across the aisle and work together, we can identify and implement the next best step.
Bruce White's philosophy of "Be a Leader, Be a Learner, Be a Friend" proved to be more than a motto at the Frontier Summit; it was a model for how to engage in difficult conversations. We were inspired by the attendees who demonstrated their eagerness to learn by asking sincere questions, even of panelists they did not agree with.
As we return to campus for our final year, we aim to embrace this mindset in our classrooms, organizations, and future jobs: to face difficult questions honestly, listen carefully, and keep looking for the next best step. We are thankful to the White family and the Daniels School for making this experience possible, and we are excited for the next class of Bruce White Undergraduate Institute Fellows to experience the Frontier Summit.
Sara D’Urso is a senior at Purdue University studying Quantitative Business Economics and Global Studies, with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Public Policy. She serves as an ambassador for the Daniels School of Business and has held leadership roles in Delta Sigma Pi. Sara is also a member of Mortar Board and an active participant in campus ministry and intramural sports. Her internship experience spans public, nonprofit, and private sectors, including roles at the US Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C., a nonprofit in Barcelona, and NielsenIQ in Chicago.
Gregory Kotsiviras is a senior at Purdue University studying Accounting and Finance, where he is a Stephen and Pam Can Scholar and a Bruce White Undergraduate Institute Fellow. On campus, he is the President of the Investment Banking Academy and has served as a teaching assistant for several finance courses. He previously interned with PMCF Investment Banking in Chicago. He is an Eagle Scout.
