The Purdue Exponent

Wednesday
3/08/200

Ben Reinhart, a senior in the School of Science, gives blood at the Alpha Phi Omega blood drive. The blood drive is being held from 10:30 am to 4:30 p.m. through Friday in the Purdue Memorial Union, Room 118.

Christians observe beginning of Lent

By Vanessa Renderman
Features Editor

Students will be filing into churches today and leaving with crosses of ash on their foreheads, as Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season.

Catholics, some Lutherans, Episcopalians and Methodists, depending on the specific church, are among those who will be receiving ashes. The ashes symbolize the belief that people came from dust and will return to dust.

Ken Puent, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church, said the Ash Wednesday service is a somber and sober experience.

"(Ash Wednesday) begins the 40 days of reflection and self-denial to remember the sacrifices that Jesus Christ made," Puent said. "It’s a call to prayer and fasting."

Puent said his service will be similar to the mass that will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Rev. Pat Click from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center said the denominations that celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent are the ones that follow liturgical ritual.

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Beering meets goal of increasing ranked programs

By Megan Finnerty
Asst. Campus Editor

Strength is a gift that keeps on giving; the stronger a program, the stronger it is likely to get, said Robert Ringel.

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Study gives nurse statistics

By Maggie Strong
Staff Writer

The Indiana State Department of Health has released a study completed by registered nurses who are practicing in Indiana. The survey portrays the racial distribution of nurses, as well as other statistics portraying qualities of the field.

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Loft Boys by Joel Lugar
cartoon