David E. Ross

David Edward Ross (August 25, 1871 – June 28, 1943) was a Purdue University graduate who helped advance the university through his generous donations and years of service on the Board of Trustees.

David E. Ross was the second child of George Ross and Susanna Booth. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana, but moved to Brookston at the age of two. In 1876, Ross began attending primary school. During this time in his life, Ross began to show an interest in engineering. While on a steamboat ride with his parents, Ross made his way to the engine room and became fascinated with the machinery. Another incident occurred at his Uncle Linn’s house when Ross attempted to manipulate the furnace. During his senior year of high school, Ross decided to attend college and learn about engineering. Despite his father’s disapproval, Ross enrolled in Purdue University in 1889. This decision was made possible thanks to his uncle Will, who offered to house Ross during his time in college and pay for books and tuition.

In 1893, Ross graduated from Purdue as a Mechanical Engineer. His life at college was “quiet”. Despite his inventive mind, he received only a passing grade in most of his classes, including machine design, mathematics, and physics.

Around 1905, Ross invented his first automotive steering gear. He eventually patented 88 inventions and was involved in founding four companies related to building materials and automotive mechanisms.

Ross became a member of the Purdue Alumni Committee in 1921. His first project involved raising money to build the Purdue Memorial Union that would honor Purdue graduates that died during World War I. After donating a large contribution of his own, Ross began persuading alumni in the area to donate as well. He would promise them that the building would be “the finest thing of the kind in the United States”. Partially because of his persistence, alumni donated almost half of the one million dollars that paid for the Union.

Ross’s next project was the design of a new football stadium to help promote the athletics of the school. He met with George Ade, another well-known Purdue graduate, on a 65-acre farm and proposed the financing of the new stadium. The two men became business partners and friends, and funded what came to be called the Ross–Ade Stadium. Ross also helped build the Lambert Fieldhouse by donating $100,000 and land.

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