As we approach the end of another year, I am both astonished at how swiftly the past 12 months have gone by and incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished.

John (BSCNE '06) and Meredith (Sears) Kinkle (BSCE '05) have built their careers and lives on resilience, adaptability and a shared passion for civil and construction engineering.

From designing the infrastructure that shapes communities to leading teams across nine states, Chris Gale (BSCE '95) boasts a career journey that is a testament to vision, service and perseverance.

When planning a spring break trip to West Palm Beach, Florida, most college students pack swimsuits and sunscreen. Kipp Schulties (BSCE '92) packed a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a stack of nerve.

As a high school senior, Theresa Lynne (Smith) Adams (BSCE '74) told her guidance counselor she wanted to pursue engineering. The reply was blunt: We don't recommend that for girls.

After more than 50 years as a civil engineer, Jim Mitnick (BSCE '71) said the work he is most proud of is the development and mentoring of younger engineers.

A childhood shaped by frequent moves fueled curiosity and a sense of purpose in Michael Rowe (BSCE '95). Growing up in a military family, Rowe experienced an active and dynamic upbringing. His close-knit family instilled resilience, adaptability and the value of strong relationships.

Congratulations to our outstanding Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering alumni who were recognized with the Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award (CEAAA), the Construction Engineering Outstanding and Emerging Leader Alumni Awards, and the Distinguished Engineering Alumni (DEA) Award. Our alumni have a long, proud history of excellence and this year’s awardees could not be more deserving of these recognitions.

The Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering produces some of the world's best civil and construction engineers and will continue to do so into 2026. Thank you to each and everyone of you who contribute your time, advice, mentorship and financial support to help keep our school as one of the top civil and construction engineering schools on the planet.