As we near the end of the semester — and the end of 2021 — I find myself eagerly looking forward to the new year. However, I also cannot help but wonder how this year seemed to go by in a blur.

Unlike in years past, I think most of us found ourselves not eagerly looking forward to 2021, but bracing ourselves for it. We were still in the midst of a pandemic and knew we had to continue on and adjust to the state of the world. In the months leading to the new year, we learned what worked and what did not in terms of providing the best education possible and maintaining our research efforts.

Unlike 2020, though, there were very real rays of hope to look forward to. Vaccines were well into production; Purdue University, its students, faculty and staff proved education could continue if proper precautions were taken; and every month felt like we were getting closer and closer to returning to our normal lives.

I suppose, with our collective focus on working together and preparing for the future, that it is no surprise the year seemed to pass so suddenly. But now — with year 2022 just weeks away — I aim to cherish what remains of this year and truly enjoy the next.

It is so easy to focus on what must be done that you forget to stop and appreciate all that we have and what we have accomplished. Thankfully, when it comes to the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, there are a wealth of people and accomplishments to appreciate — and that is what is so special about Transitions magazine. It serves as a tremendous way to take stock and celebrate the efforts and achievements of our incredible alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends.

In this edition, you will learn about how our alumni are working to reshape and improve the United States’ infrastructure through restoration, innovation and planning ahead as the world becomes more connected. This magazine also highlights several of our amazing alumni who have given back to our school as well their accomplishments and awards.

This, of course, is just a fraction of the incredible work our outstanding alumni are involved in — and I look forward to sharing even more of their stories in future editions to come. I also welcome our alumni and friends to come back to our West Lafayette campus when they get a chance. I would love to meet and reconnect and learn about what you are most looking forward to in 2022.

All the best,

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