Dear all:

Fall 2016 proved to be a very exciting time for the Division of Construction Engineering and Management. In honor of our 40^th Anniversary celebration this academic year, we invited select alumni to be a part of a Distinguished Speaker Series that will continue through the spring. John Frantz, our first graduate of the program is our main feature. Starting in 1977 as part of his first CEM internship with Sidney Electric, he is now the sole owner of the company. You can find more information about our 40^th Anniversary celebrations and events by clicking the anniversary logo at the top of our newsletter.

Adjusting our program and curriculum to the ever-changing advancements that technology brings to our society is another success we are proud of this year. We are working to integrate student experiences with virtual and augmented reality into our curriculum and are proud to have industry partners who expose students to these technologies during summer internships. We are confident that our students are prepared to work with industry’s latest advancements when they graduate.

Our students have been very active with both research and service work, helping those around the world. Six graduate students are currently working to help reduce the effects of natural disasters, through the seven layers of infrastructure affected by disasters: civil, civic, social, environmental, financial, educational, and cyber. Additionally, ten undergraduate students are preparing to make their fifth trip to Ecuador as part of a Purdue EPICS team, continuing their process of designing and building an education center for the community of Lumbisi.

Blue & Co.’s Bob Abel and Bob Bowen, founder of Bowen Engineering Corporation, have teamed together to fund an endowment to provide a scholarship to students pursing both a CEM degree and a degree through Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. The Bowen and Blue Scholarship hopes to foster students who are sound in both the technical and financial aspects of a construction business.

This summer, our main office secretary, Nettie Haab, retired from Purdue University after 10 years of service with us. Nettie made many contributions to CEM and is greatly missed. A new face has joined us in the main office, Carlee Andre. A recent Purdue alum herself, Carlee has brought a fresh perspective that has helped our undergraduate program and advising efforts.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter. As always, we welcome any feedback you would like to offer.

With best regards,

Makarand (Mark) Hastak, PhD, PE, CCP

Professor and Head
Division of Construction Engineering and Management