purdue university, in west lafayette, indiana, u.s., is the flagship university of the six-campus purdue university system. purdue was founded on may 6, 1869, as a land-grant university, accepted a donation of land and money from lafayette businessman john purdue to establish a college of science, technology, and agriculture in his name. the first classes were held on september 16, 1874, with three buildings, six instructors, and 39 students. today, purdue enrolls the second largest student body of any university in indiana as well as the second largest international student population of any public university in the united states.