I know this sentiment has been shared time and time again, but as we approach the end of both this semester and of 2022, I am practically in shock at how quickly these past 12 months have flown right on by. Yet, in an odd way, I find this fact rather comforting more than anything else.

This year truly felt like something that was actually close to “normal” for the first time in quite a while. As the months rolled by, I — and, from what I could see, many others — stopped focusing so much on merely “getting through this” and instead had sights set squarely on enjoying the moment and looking ahead.

Of course, having a “heads down” mindset is certainly good — I would even say it is required for civil engineers. However, focusing solely on the task and moment in front of you, can be both exhausting and limiting. It can also deprive one from both the reward of one’s work and limits their creativity for future tasks to come. And, with us just weeks away from the start of a new year, is there really any better time than now to look back on one’s successes and look forward to new opportunities?

With that in mind, I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement when I reflect on the incredible achievements the students, alumni, faculty and staff of the Lyles School of Civil Engineering have accomplished — and I cannot wait to see what more is to come in 2023. From breakthroughs in civil engineering research to personal accomplishments ranging from starting new businesses and alumni seeing their children become Boilermakers themselves, we all have so much to celebrate and look forward to.

In this edition of Transitions, you will find several such stories of achievements and appreciation. Stories this year include: the generous gifts given to Purdue Civil Engineering that include new scholarships, endowments and even a house for visiting faculty and researchers; the tremendous study abroad opportunities available to our students; and a recap of our social events and recognitions our distinguished alumni achieved.

Of course, the contents of this magazine can only capture a fraction of the work and efforts achieved by our school’s friends and families — and I would love to know more about your accomplishments and plans for the future. I welcome anyone who visits campus to stop by my office and share your thoughts and experiences with me. My door is always open!

All the best,

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