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Beering burial to be 1st on Purdue campus in 72 years

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Purdue University is preparing for its first burial on campus in 72 years as plans are finalized to lay former first lady Jane Beering to rest on Slayter Hill.

Beering presided over countless university events in the 17 years that her husband, Steven, served as Purdue’s president. The couple arranged to be buried on Slayter Hill in 2000 when they retired from campus life.

Jane Beering died March 9 at age 81. The Journal & Courier reports her interment will be the first on campus since Purdue trustee, Lafayette businessman and university benefactor David Ross was buried in 1943.

The only other person buried on campus is founder John Purdue. He died in 1876 and is buried across from University Hall.