Hometown: Boise, Idaho

Current year: Junior

Why I chose Purdue Civil Engineering

When I was looking for which university I wanted to go to, I knew it had to be somewhere I could both utilize my Naval ROTC scholarship and study in a strong engineering program. I knew Purdue was strong, and after I toured the campus, I felt like it would be the perfect fit for me. Once I got into my classes, civil engineering began to stand out immediately for me. It’s such a wide-reaching field and the classes you take are so interactive — I just knew that this is what I wanted to pursue.

Emphasis area

Currently, I am still deciding which emphasis area I want to pursue within Purdue Civil Engineering. I have had some amazing experiences in my classes and with my professors that it's kind of hard for me to choose. But, I will I say I am definitely leaning toward bridge engineering and bridge inspection as a potential career path.

Chris is a part of the Purdue Naval ROTC program and will commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy after he earns his civil engineering degree.

Outdoor enthusiast

One of the most fun and exciting groups I am involved with is the Purdue Outing Club. As the name suggests, we coordinate all sorts of outdoor activities that range from backpacking in the woods to crawling through Indiana's caves. A large event that I helped coordinate was the Purdue Outing Club Adventure Race, where teams take part in a 48-hour winter orienteering competition that spans up to 50 miles.

After I graduate

When I graduate, I will commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy and serve for at least five years. I would love to work on a submarine and I am excited to see where that will take me. After that, I am not quite sure yet. It's possible I may go career Navy, but I also want to come back and earn my Master's degree in civil engineering and pursue a career in that.

Chris is a member of the Purdue Outing Club and coordinates events.