Chief Development Officer // Lyles School of Civil Engineering

What a year—and what a semester! 2020 has become a shorthand phrase to describe all sorts of remarkable challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. When students returned to campus last fall, it was not clear to any of us if we would be able to complete the full academic semester. In classic Boilermaker fashion, Purdue students, faculty and staff overcame the difficulties and worked together to persevere in the face of considerable adversity.

Do you remember the Washington Post headline from last fall? The question posed back in August was "Will Purdue Last?" as President Daniels moved forward with a residential experience for Purdue students. Now, we can look back with satisfaction on a job well done. Faculty, staff, alumni and current students met the challenge of a special season. Together we helped Purdue overcome the odds.

We've added a new vocabulary. The Purdue community is now conversant on the difference between hybrid and HyFlex classes. Too many can speak with authority on the differences between the PCR and antigen tests. And let us take a moment to celebrate the distribution of plenty of personal protective equipment (PPE) through the Protect Purdue Initiative (PPI).

We've had so many firsts—our first completely virtual scholarship event; a weeklong series of virtual Homecoming events; and cardboard cutouts in Ross-Ade Stadium in place of 50,000 of our fellow college football fanatics.

We've seen the Purdue community rally around the Protect Purdue Plan and adapt their workplace and their personal behavior to put the health and well-being of others before their own preference and convenience. Purdue faculty have worked tirelessly to adapt their classes to new online teaching platforms.

We've seen the Purdue Civil Engineering Advisory Council mobilize to share special messages to new graduates and remind them they are part of a larger contingent of alumni all around the world. Despite moving to a virtual format, the Advisory Council continues to provide encouragement to current Purdue students and has generated leads for future employment and internship opportunities.

The world has changed dramatically in 2020 but it is inspiring to also know some things remain steadfast. The willingness of the broader Purdue community of alumni, faculty, staff and students to pull together and overcome a season that we can safely say without exaggeration is one for the history books.

We've lost friends along the way, and we remember their kindness, their generosity and their commitments to Purdue. To everyone who supported the Protect Purdue Initiative, generously contributed during Purdue's Day of Giving or simply went out of their way to provide an encouraging word of hope and inspiration during 2020—you have our thanks. Promising news of vaccines and improved treatments give us all hope for a turning of the page and a better experience in 2021. Come what may, we'll face the New Year and new challenges of this spring semester together.

We remain, now more than ever, Ever Grateful and Ever True. Hail Purdue!

All the best,

Eric Putman
EAPutman@prf.org

Chief Development Officer, Lyles School of Civil Engineering
University Development Office, Purdue for Life Foundation