The Purdue Real Estate Society is the student-run organization for those interested in careers in commercial real estate. The society organizes workshops, industry panels, and social activities. PRES members will be added to its Brightspace page where announcements for events are posted as well as internship opportunities. Applications for membership are open from Aug. 24 – Sept. 9, 2026. If you miss the application window, non-members may still attend most club events.
Being designated a Dean V. White Real Estate Scholar is a recognition earned by students based on their academic excellence and career preparedness to work in real estate following graduation. DVW Real Estate Scholars are eligible for additional experiential and scholarship opportunities. Juniors who have declared one of the real estate minors are eligible to apply fall semester. All applicants must have already taken or currently be enrolled in REAL 37000, Real Estate Fundamentals.
Eisenberg Real Estate Challenge team, left to right: Ava Aupperle, Avery Huber, Charlie Orris, Luke Starr, and Zane Barnett.
NAIOP 1st place team, left to right: (back) Sam Stewart, Filippa Rodriguez, Zane Barnett, (front) Paige Reitz, Ava Aupperle, and Luke Starr.
Michigan REIT Challenge team, left to right: Avery Huber, Filippa Rodriguez, Zane Barnett, Ashling McNaughton, and Liam Parsons.
All students earning one of our real estate minors will participate in at least one and up to three case competitions as part of their academic coursework, with the top team awarded up to $5,000. Real Estate students may also participate in state, national and global competitions.
Most recently, a team of five real estate students earned “Best Pitch” honors at the 2026 Eisenberg Real Estate Challenge held April 11, 2026. Competing against 20 teams from universities across the country, the team developed and presented an innovative proposal for a large-scale mixed-use development in downtown Chicago. The competition centered on “The 78,” a 62-acre site along the Chicago River referred to as Chicago’s 78th neighborhood.
A six-student team took 1st place in the NAIOP Indiana University Case Challenge on November 19, 2025. The challenge focused on a development site in downtown Indianapolis, adjacent to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. The Purdue team proposed a mixed-use project featuring a casino, multifamily housing and retail.
Five real estate finance minors took second place and won $7,500 at the 2025 Weiser Center for Real Estate Competition held at the University of Michigan on October 24. 2025. The students developed a comprehensive strategy for a publicly traded REIT focused on manufactured housing and RV communities. In the preliminary round, the Purdue team advanced past both host University of Michigan and New York University. Auburn University ultimately took first place, while Indiana University finished third.
Every year the program takes students on three city Treks: Indianapolis, Chicago, and a unique destination for seniors. In 2026, seniors went to Austin, Texas. During the treks, students visit commercial real estate companies and explore sites that have been rehabilitated, recently completed, or are in the final phases of construction. Students learn about the financial and logistical challenges of every project. Each Trek includes a student networking reception with local Purdue alumni who are leaders in real estate.
On Chicago Treks, students have viewed Chicago architecture by river boat, toured the historic rehabilitation of Cook County Hospital (now Hyatt Place and Hyatt House), and visited LaSalle, Heitman, CBRE, Avison Young and Wintrust Bank, among others.
On Indianapolis Treks, students have seen rehabilitated projects including the InterContinental and the Box Factory. They’ve visited fulfillment centers, cold storage facilities, and Salesforce Tower (the tallest building in Indiana), in addition to company visits with Simon, Scannell, Ambrose, Pure Development, and Shiel Sexton, among others.
On the 2026 Senior Trek, top seniors traveled to Austin, Texas, to immerse themselves in a burgeoning real estate market. A meeting with White Lodging, a tour of Hotel Trinity, and an alumni reception at County Line BBQ were some of the highlights. Check out the video above for more!
