Welcome to "EEE Insights" - the Fall 2015 Newsletter of Purdue Environmental and Ecological Engineering. We just wrapped up the thanksgiving break, and are rapidly approaching the end of the fall semester. Over Thanksgiving, I had an opportunity to reflect on all the changes and accomplishments of EEE over the last few years. So, let me use the space to talk about these milestones and give thanks to the individuals who helped make them possible.

Take a look at the EEE videos.

To support student growth, we have added significantly to our faculty and staff over the past few year. This semester we are honored to introduce these new faculty and staff to the EEE family.

This semester's research spotlight previews professor Shweta Singh's work on modeling the local Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycling in the Indiana Economy and professor Nies's publication of water use in the Wabash River.

For the first time, all senior design projects are sponsored by industry, giving EEE seniors an industrial experience solving real problems.

In August Master's and PhD degrees were approved in Environmental and Ecological Engineering. This is an important milestone as EEE approaches its 10th anniversary next year. These degrees add a new option to students at Purdue at a time when employment is projected to grow significantly in the next decade. About half of surveyed environmental engineers assert that an advanced degree is necessary for their job. The target size of the program is 90 students.

The EEE department is introducing three new courses in Spring 2016: Environmental Chemodynamics, Industrial Sustainability Lab, and Environmental and Ecological Engineering Case Stories.

EEE students, faculty, and staff continue to make the EEE department proud. Lauren Kennedy won the EEE Outstanding Senior Award, Professor Howarter received the SEEE Instructional Excellence Award, and Nadya Zyaykin won the New Employee College of Engineering Award. Congratulations to all!

EEE senior Hannah McAughan represents EEE as engineering senator for PSG and a brief note from SEEE.

Get to know two more members of the External Advisory Council. This edition features Cindy Fort and Larry Merritt, Jr.

See what EEE students do after graduation with a personal statement from three EEE alumnae.