"Today is likely a giant leap for many of us, following years of dedication and growth, but I believe that the greatest leaps are ahead of us, and one day we will look back and not see today as the destination, but as one of the small steps along our way."

-Kendrick Hardaway, Ph.D. EEE Class of 2025

At today's commencement ceremony, EEE PhD graduate Kendrick Hardaway addressed Masters and Doctoral graduates as they set off into the world. He encouraged them, congratulated them, and invited them to continue with curiosity, collaborate with others, and be a teacher and volunteer.

For Kendrick Hardaway, the path to becoming an environmental and ecological engineer didn’t begin in a lab or a classroom—it started on a cattle ranch. Raised by science-teaching parents and surrounded by the rhythms of the natural world, Hardaway’s early life planted the seeds for a career rooted in sustainability, justice, and global impact.

Now a 2025 PhD graduate in Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) at Purdue University, Hardaway is at the forefront of research that bridges technology and environmental stewardship. His work focuses on climate resilience and the environmental implications of emerging technologies, particularly how land use and transportation systems interact in the face of autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle adoption.

“I care about trying to prevent the injustices that climate change can cause—displacement, hunger, water scarcity,” Hardaway said. “My work is about doing what I can with what I have to address this grand challenge.”

In his graduation robes, Kendrick smiles on the steps of Hovde Hall. Photo Credit: Albin John

Hardaway’s academic journey began at the University of Arkansas, where he studied biological engineering with a focus on sustainable food, water, and energy systems. Undergraduate research experiences and a pivotal summer at the University of Florida helped him envision a future in research. That vision led him to Purdue, where he found a unique interdisciplinary environment and a supportive advisor who helped shape his path.

His research has taken him far beyond Indiana. Through visiting appointments in Greece and Norway, and a Fulbright fellowship in New Zealand, Hardaway has collaborated with international researchers and policymakers. In New Zealand, his work on climate adaptation contributed to infrastructure planning efforts, including a coastal hazards plan recently adopted in Christchurch.

“It felt significant to play even a small role in helping communities prepare for sea level rise,” he said.

But the PhD journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the already solitary nature of doctoral research. Hardaway found resilience through community—joining a salsa dance club, participating in graduate student government, and organizing regular outdoor gatherings with friends.

His recent publication in Applied Energy explores the energy demands of data management in autonomous vehicles, a breakthrough that underscores the real-world relevance of his work. Yet, Hardaway is quick to emphasize that technology alone isn’t the answer.

“I hope my research helps us engage more with the non-technical side of technical solutions,” he said. “Urban zoning, for example, can significantly influence the environmental impact of autonomous vehicles.”

Looking ahead, Hardaway envisions a future where environmental engineering is proactive rather than reactive—focused on preventing degradation before it occurs. He plans to consult with municipalities on sustainable infrastructure and be an active voice in science policy related to climate resilience.

His advice to future EEE students? “Get regular sleep and exercise. Eat good food. Find good friends. Protect your time and your curiosity.”

From midwestern ranchland to the policy tables of New Zealand, Kendrick Hardaway is proving that engineering can be a powerful tool for justice, resilience, and global change.