Parkers visit pedestrian bridge that bears their name for first time

Mac and Pat Parker—donors who were instrumental in the development of the Parker-Cole Crossing—and leaders from Purdue University Fort Wayne, including Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, chancellor; Ruth Stone, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations; and Greg Justice, associate vice chancellor of facilities management; gathered at the pedestrian bridge Wednesday afternoon to welcome the Parkers for their first visit to the newly opened structure.

The crossing spans Coliseum Boulevard and connects Purdue Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne campus of Ivy Tech Community College. Members of the university’s extended campus community and friends of the Parkers assembled at the base of the crossing on the Ivy Tech side as they traveled across the bridge for the first time.

While an official dedication ceremony is being planned for later in the year, representatives of Purdue Fort Wayne wanted to take time on the university’s third annual Day of Giving to acknowledge Mac’s important role, which included his efforts on behalf of the Olive B. Cole Foundation, in bringing to fruition this beautiful addition to the Summit City.

Approximately 95% of the ornamental lighting consisting of more than 250,000 LEDs capable of generating 16 million color combinations is now operational and will be turned on at dusk and remain lit until dawn each day.

Landscaping and other site work around the crossing will continue for several weeks.

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