02-06-2026
Top seniors in the Dean V. White Real Estate Program at Purdue’s Daniels School of Business recently traveled to Austin, Texas, to immerse themselves in a burgeoning real estate market with alumni and industry leaders. Meant to be an annual tradition for Dean V. White Real Estate Scholars, the trip served as a celebration of students’ hard work and accomplishments.
Over the course of two days, students toured a wide range of real estate developments and met with professionals across multiple sectors of the industry. The trip began with White Lodging, where students learned about hotel development from Vice Chairman and CIO Conner White, and toured Hotel Trinity, a new property currently under construction.
A view from the top of Hotel Trinity, under construction in downtown Austin. Before touring the site, students met with White Lodging representatives including CIO Conner White; CFO Noah Hoppe; and VP of Development Eric Stone. White explored company strategy and standards during his fall 2025 Executive Forum presentation at the Daniels School.
Students also visited the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, Summit Hotel Properties, Republic Tower, Pennybacker, LV Collective, Kirksey Architecture and Community First! Village, where they learned about socially impactful development focused on addressing homelessness.
“The Republic Tower site visit was one of my favorite parts of the trip,” says Mia Dayton, one of the seniors on the trip. “I was amazed being able to see one of the tallest buildings currently under construction in Austin and I gained a better understanding of the magnitude and complexity behind large development projects. Being able to walk the site while it was actively being built made the experience truly memorable.
“The visit that had the greatest impact on me, however, was Community First! Village. Learning about its mission to provide housing for individuals experiencing homelessness was truly inspiring. One of the residents, Jose, shared how the community not only gave him a place to call home, but also the opportunity to develop his ceramic art and sell his work. Seeing how real estate can empower people and create lasting social impact through nonprofit projects was very impactful and unlike anything I had experienced before.”
Beyond site tours, the trip offered the scholars the opportunity to network with Purdue alumni working in real estate. Students enjoyed a Texas barbecue dinner with local Purdue alums, providing valuable perspectives on career paths and professional growth. Overall, the Austin trip offered a meaningful blend of education and connection, marking an exciting milestone for the Dean V. White Program’s seniors as they prepare to enter careers in real estate. Learn more about Dean V. White Real Estate Scholars.
