WEST LAFAYETTE — A group of Purdue students required to complete a community service project found a way to complete the class assignment and help fund cancer research with thousands of dollars — all in memory of Tyler Trent.
Trent, a Purdue graduate and superfan, impacted the entire nation as they followed his courageous journey with a rare type of bone cancer. He died in early 2019 after the battle with osteosarcoma.
A course in Purdue's School of Hospitality and Tourism, taught by Keith Molter, required students to complete a community service project. And more than 50 students in the class decided to manage a concession stand operation at home football games.
After seven games, the student-run concession stand earned $5,000, which they decided to donate to the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment.
Later, Molter learned that matching funds were possible, making the total donation $10,000.
"It is important that we teach students not only about business but also making a difference for the community in which they live," Molter said. "This was an exciting opportunity because students learned firsthand what it takes to run a food operation and deal with the business aspect and the customer-service components."
Molter worked with Levy Restaurants, which is the exclusive caterer for Purdue Athletics. The company let the students run the concession stand operation on their own.
