Purdue's first African-American Homecoming queen and BOP alumna speaks at Krannert

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Purdue's first African-American Homecoming queen presented a lecture titled "My Pieces of History: A Queen's Journey to Archival Peace" at Krannert Auditorium on Feb. 6 as part of the University's Black History Month celebration.

Kassandra "Katie" Agee Chandler, a 1980 graduate of the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program (BOP), also presented her papers to the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections during the event.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to return to my alma mater and share my experience as Purdue’s first African-American Homecoming queen,” said Agee Chandler. “During this critical time of divisiveness in our nation, I hope that revisiting this significant milestone in Purdue history inspires students to engage in an enlightened dialogue on race, class, gender equality and other relevant issues facing us today."

Agee Chandler, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Management, is the founder and principal consultant at Systematic Design Consultants, a boutique information- technology consulting firm based in the Houston area. While at Purdue, Agee Chandler distinguished herself academically and as a student leader, serving as a counselor for BOP, a member of Mortar Board and a founding member of the Society of Minority Managers.

After earning her degree from Purdue, Agee Chandler worked in the private sector for such companies as Procter & Gamble, Dow Chemical and Exxon. Additionally, she served as Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s chief information officer, as well as director of computing services at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.

In July 2015, she and two other Purdue alumni formed the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program (BOP) Alumni Network, a Purdue alumni group “committed to continuing the legacy and vision of Dr. Cornell A. Bell.” The program celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018.