Senior Director of Development for the Lyles School

As I begin my 11th year with the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, I consider myself lucky and honored to be involved with such a prestigious program. Our Lyles School alumni embody the mantra “stay connected, get involved, give back” in a manner that is second to none, and for this, thank you so much! Recent national rankings once again highlight the strength of our school by having the undergraduate, graduate and online programs all ranked in the nation’s elite Top 5. And although these rankings are some of the best in the country, we continue to strive for the coveted No. 1 spot with your continued backing. These rankings speak volumes to the support we receive from each one of you — thank you!

You may have noticed the name change to the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering which became official July 1, 2024. The merger of civil engineering and construction engineering management will allow our rebranded school to provide a platform for our graduates to meet continued industry demands. Our alumni and graduates remain consequential in helping maintain and solve the world’s ever growing challenges. One doesn’t have to look back too far to recall the horrific bridge collapse in Baltimore that once again brings the profession of civil and construction engineering to the forefront of everyday life.

And please don’t forget that our College of Engineering is now in the start of a yearlong 150th anniversary celebration. Be on the lookout for locations across the country where you can be a part of this terrific celebration that will include many of our very own Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering alumni.

With more than 760 undergraduates at the start of the fall semester, scholarship support continues to play a major role in making the dream of becoming a Purdue civil or construction engineer a reality. Tuition was once again frozen for the 13th consecutive year — thanks in part to the generosity of so many of you who have chosen to endow a scholarship for our students.

Thank you as well for your support of faculty, research, facilities and recruiting initiatives. To stay competitive and lead the way across the globe, it is imperative that we retain and attract the best faculty, showcase some of the best laboratories in the nation, lead in ground-breaking research initiatives and recruit students into the world of civil and construction engineering. The recent success of CE 299 — a high school course for future civil engineering students held on campus in the summer — is just one example of recruitment initiatives that many of you have supported.

With an ever-growing digital footprint, where connections are boundless, I challenge you to continue to spread the word and share your Purdue story with your connections on our social media platforms. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and are always open to hearing how we can do more to help you make a life-changing impact on members of our Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering family.

Boiler Up and Hammer Down,

Scott Hinkel
Senior Director of Development