Add to ORKGPurdue University History, Gala Week. The oval on the Purdue Campus was setting for program in honor of classes celebrating 50th to 25th anniversaries which featured annual Gala week festivities. The grave of John Purdue can be seen in the foreground at the base of the flag pole. Old Heavilon Hall tower in right center background. 1936. Photograph by J.C. Allen and So