Aug 26, 2012 12:58 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

With his first step on the surface of the moon, he also firmly landed on the hearts of millions of people around the world. His first footprint on the moon gave a 'giant leap' to humanity.

Neil Armstrong, 82, who passed away Saturday, was the first man to set foot on the moon. A Purdue University aeronautical engineering alumnus, he is fondly being remembered at the university.

Tim Sands, the university's acting president, said Armstrong was the 'most inspirational personality' that Purdue ever had.

Armstrong earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue in aeronautical engineering in 1955 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering from Purdue in 1970. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon as commander of the Apollo 11.

 "This is a sad day for all of Purdue," Sands said. "He was a humble and private person, but always willing to talk to students. He was passionate about encouraging young men and women to pursue careers in science and engineering."

Armstrong almost never missed an opportunity to inspire young people. He made many public appearances at the university and lent his name to the Neil A. Armstrong Hall of Engineering. A statue of him as a young student and a replica of his footprints on the moon grace the university's entrance.

The robust-looking statue's humble posture is a true dedication to Armstrong's humility.

"We're going to miss him but, obviously, his legacy will always live on," Sands said to The Exponent. "You can see by the immediate and spontaneous outpouring reflected by the flowers that students are placing on the statue that he meant so much to our students, faculty and alums."

Armstrong was a long-time supporter of Purdue, serving as co-chair of a major fundraising campaign with fellow astronaut and Purdue alum Eugene Cernan, the last to set foot on the moon. He also donated all his papers to Purdue.

The flags at Purdue will be flown at half-mast to honor the memory of the alumnus who redefined the strength of humanity.

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