Earhart film may spur interest in Ind. collection

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Officials hope a new movie about aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart causes renewed interest in Purdue University's big collection of memorabilia about her life.

"Amelia," which opens Friday, stars Hillary Swank as the aviator who vanished over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 during her second attempt to fly around the world.

Purdue has the world's largest collection of papers, memorabilia and artifacts about Earhart, who was a career counselor at the Indiana college from 1935 to 1937. Earhart also was an adviser to the school's Department of Aeronautics.

Purdue Earhart expert Robin Jensen says Earhart was a pioneer in both aviation and women's rights.