It has been just a few weeks since I returned from my six-month sabbatical overseas, yet I feel more at home back on the West Lafayette campus than ever before.

I suppose that is one of the key reasons why one goes on a sabbatical — to gain a newfound perspective. Not only does one get the opportunity to learn from and share insights with colleagues around the world, it also gives one a chance to step back and review how they themselves approach their research, teaching and teamwork. Additionally, with this time for reflection, it allows one to look past what is currently taking place and set one’s sights on an even-brighter future.

Thankfully, the Lyles School of Civil Engineering — and Purdue University in general — is filled with like-minded people. That is especially true now as the first semester of the school year has recently begun.

Everywhere I look, I see that eagerness to approach the challenges of today to create a better future. Our students, faculty and staff especially have this mindset — which I suppose is not all that surprising in the study and practice of civil engineering.

Civil engineering by its very nature is future-focused — as is our education. All the work and research we do is to improve the future for our society. Whether it is preparing the leaders of tomorrow, innovating how we build our habitats or responding to natural disasters, the central theme that drives everything we do is a desire to create a brighter future for everyone.

That is why I — and so many others in this field — are drawn to it. We see the potential in others and the world around us. We know we can make the world better; we know we can improve the lives for the people of today as well as the people of future; and we are consistently pursuing the next giant leaps in research and education.

In this edition, we highlight some of the forward-thinking pursuits taking place today in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering. These stories include our efforts to rebuild communities ravaged by earthquakes, research to improve building materials to be both less costly and more energy efficient and our continued focus to expand our online master’s program and make it more accessible.

These are but a few of the incredible endeavors taking place as I write this — and I look forward to sharing even more of our work with you in the future.

Until then, I wish you all the best,

Rao S. Govindaraju
Bowen Engineering Head of Civil Engineering and
The Christopher B. and Susan S. Burke Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering