See Keith's latest work at Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue

speeches

10.15.2025

Engineering Freedom: The Semiconductor Story That Rewired the World

“Sometimes I feel like my life’s been one long Forrest Gump story. I started as a welder in my dad’s five-person machine shop in Ohio — a kid with a blowtorch and a dream. He taught me that hard work, honesty, and a firm handshake could build anything — including trust. After a hot summer day in the factory, he’d slap me on the back and say, ‘We can’t solve world peace, but we can try!'”

05.03.2022
By:

Keith Krach

Transformation, Trust: U.S. business leader tells grads they have ‘Purdue Equation’ the world needs

Keith J. Krach, Purdue alumnus, former U.S. undersecretary of state and former chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees, delivers the keynote address at Purdue University’s winter commencement ceremonies on Dec. 18. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)