Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering - Purdue University

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Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering - Purdue University Purdue Civil and Construction Engineering - Over 125 years of excellence.

Purdue School of Civil Engineering, ranked among the top in the nation, consists of nine academic engineering specialty groups: architectural engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, geomatics engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics and hydrology engineering, materials engineering, structural engineering and transportation engineering. The school is named for a generous $15 million donation by the Lyles family through the Lyles Foundation, which will be used to broaden the school's capacities for learning and discovery and for generating solutions to critical global problems.

Tim Steigerwald (BSCNE 1987), President and CEO of Messer Construction Co., has received the 2026 Construction Engineeri...
10/28/2026

Tim Steigerwald (BSCNE 1987), President and CEO of Messer Construction Co., has received the 2026 Construction Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award.

Tim serves as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Messer Construction Co. and Chairman of Messer, Inc. In these roles, he oversees the performance of the core construction business as well as affiliated entities such as Messer Financial Services.
Tim’s career began at Messer in 1984 as a co-op student while earning a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University.

He joined the company full-time in 1988 and later earned his MBA from Xavier University in 1993. Over the next two decades, his career progression demonstrated both technical competency and leadership capability, culminating in responsibility for major projects and regional operations.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4e6zl0l

Jennifer L. Marvin, PE, JD, PMP, ACC (BSCNE 1992), Program Integration Manager at The Boeing Company, has received the 2...
10/28/2026

Jennifer L. Marvin, PE, JD, PMP, ACC (BSCNE 1992), Program Integration Manager at The Boeing Company, has received the 2026 Construction Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award.

Jennifer is a 1992 graduate of Purdue University’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering whose career involves bridge engineering, law, manufacturing, aviation, and leadership development.

Jennifer began her career with CH2M Hill on Milwaukee’s Deep Tunnel Project, where early field experience in heavy civil construction forged her commitment to safety and operational discipline. She later worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron and Fluor, contributing to complex infrastructure initiatives including the City of Chicago’s 9-1-1 system, Fermilab’s Particle Accelerator, and more than 100 telecommunications towers.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4klSUFK

Please join   and the Purdue University Office of Professional Practice in honoring Bonnie Sondgeroth as a 2026 Hall of ...
10/28/2026

Please join and the Purdue University Office of Professional Practice in honoring Bonnie Sondgeroth as a 2026 Hall of Fame Inaugural Co-op Champion.

Bonnie embodies the spirit of excellence in experiential learning within our program. She has been instrumental and irreplaceable—connecting hundreds of students to internships and co-op opportunities, providing stability and care, and enabling both our students and our program to flourish. Fondly known as the "Mom away from home," she is recognized for her unwavering support and the personal relationships she has maintained.

Industry partners and alumni frequently return not only to recruit, but also to reconnect with her—a testament to Bonnie's enduring impact on our community. Even in retirement, her legacy continues to inspire. Please join us in congratulating Bonnie Sondgeroth on this well-deserved honor!

Professional Practice Hall of Fame Inductee: Rob ThrelkeldFrom five co-op rotations at General Electric to leading globa...
10/28/2026

Professional Practice Hall of Fame Inductee: Rob Threlkeld

From five co-op rotations at General Electric to leading global energy strategy at General Motors, Rob Threlkeld (BSCE ’98, MSCE ’00) has built a career at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and clean energy.

While earning his civil engineering degrees at Purdue, Threlkeld completed five co-op rotations with GE Aircraft Controls in Fort Wayne, gaining hands-on experience in environmental, health and safety engineering. Today, as GM’s director of global energy strategy, he leads initiatives in renewable energy procurement, utility strategy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure in support of the company’s zero-emission goals.

Beyond his professional achievements, Threlkeld remains committed to Purdue. He has served on the School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering External Advisory Board since 2016, spoken to Purdue engineering students about his career and sponsored and mentored senior design projects focused on energy and the environment.

His contributions have earned him several honors, including the 2024 Purdue Civil Engineering Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award and the EPA Green Power Leadership Award for Leader of the Year.

We’re proud to celebrate Threlkeld’s leadership in clean energy, dedication to sustainability and continued commitment to preparing the next generation of engineers as a 2026 Professional Practice Hall of Fame inductee.

Follow along each day as we highlight our 2026 inductees leading up to the October 23 event.

Professional Practice Hall of Fame Inductee: Emily WhelchelFrom six co-op rotations with ARSEE Engineers, Inc., to resto...
10/28/2026

Professional Practice Hall of Fame Inductee: Emily Whelchel

From six co-op rotations with ARSEE Engineers, Inc., to restoring some of Indiana’s historic landmarks, Emily Whelchel (BSCE ’14, MSCE ’16) has built a career around preserving the past and preparing the next generation of engineers.

Whelchel discovered her passion for structural engineering through hands-on experience restoring historic churches, courthouses, government buildings and other structures. One memorable project involved the restoration of Indianapolis’ Soldiers and Sailors Monument, where seeing the city from atop Lady Victory helped inspire her career in historic preservation.

Today, she shares her expertise with Purdue engineering students, encouraging them to embrace experiential learning and take the next step in their careers. Her advice reflects the importance of taking initiative and learning through experience: “You have to put your foot on the gas to go anywhere. Make a decision and then learn through that internship journey.”

We’re proud to celebrate Whelchel’s contributions to historic preservation and her continued dedication to mentoring future engineers as a 2026 Professional Practice Hall of Fame inductee.

Read her full story to learn more about her journey: https://lnkd.in/gx98iQ_G

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our construction engineering undergraduate program, we recognize our alumni's ac...
10/26/2026

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our construction engineering undergraduate program, we recognize our alumni's achievements.

Meet the six honorees of the 2026 Construction Engineering Alumni Awards—leaders shaping our industry and inspiring our community. Join us in celebrating their achievements!

(From left)
Nelson S. Frech (BSCNE 2017)
Ryan Maibach (BSCNE 1996)
Ricky Grogan Jr. (BSCNE 2012)
Tim Steigerwald (BSCNE 1987)
Christy Dail Weiland (BSCNE 2018)
Jennifer L. Marvin (BSCNE 1992)

Relive the highlights from this memorable evening: https://bit.ly/4dXQqcX

Before an autistic child can process a teacher’s words, they must process the room itself. Light, sound, and layout dict...
10/22/2026

Before an autistic child can process a teacher’s words, they must process the room itself. Light, sound, and layout dictate comfort and focus in ways researchers are only beginning to unlock.

A research team led by Thanos Tzempelikos, professor of and engineering and Herrick Labs faculty, is exploring one piece of that puzzle — the role of natural daylight in schools and autism-support facilities.

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and conducted in partnership with Ball State University, the project brings together experts in architectural engineering, autism behavior and education to study how children respond to different lighting conditions.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4sjwXcl

The global energy sector is undergoing a significant transition as it shifts toward renewable energy. Researchers at Pur...
10/21/2026

The global energy sector is undergoing a significant transition as it shifts toward renewable energy. Researchers at Purdue University’s Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research are advancing anchoring technology for offshore renewable infrastructure by developing and testing innovative materials and anchorage systems.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal offer promise but require significant space, while hydroelectric dams can have major environmental and social impacts. Floating wind and solar farms are gaining momentum because they harness strong winds and sunlight over water without occupying valuable land. However, their success depends on durable anchoring systems.

A team led by Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering professors Akanshu Sharma, Jan Olek, Pablo Zavattieri,, Jeffrey Youngblood, along with postdoctoral researcher Deepak Suthar, is testing a concrete-based suction anchor as an alternative to traditional steel anchors. The research is being conducted in collaboration with Sperra, a Boulder, Colorado-based company that designs structural systems for energy projects in aquatic environments.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Wjoom0

Thank you to everyone who attended the CCE Networking Event hosted by ACSE, Beta Tau, CESAC, Chi Epsilon, and ITE!A spec...
10/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the CCE Networking Event hosted by ACSE, Beta Tau, CESAC, Chi Epsilon, and ITE!

A special thanks to our panelists and facilitators—Molly Cooper, Lauren Selking, Stephanie Wagner, Jessica Palmer, Alex Benedict, Sally Jones, Emily Chen, and Andi Flittner—for sharing your insights and experiences. We also extend our gratitude to all participating companies for helping create meaningful connections and opportunities for our students and professional community.

🎓 Meet Matthew Calvo, a driven CCE major graduating in May 2027! Matthew will launch his career with Skanska, a global l...
10/16/2026

🎓 Meet Matthew Calvo, a driven CCE major graduating in May 2027! Matthew will launch his career with Skanska, a global leader in construction, right after graduation.

Matthew chose Purdue University’s Construction Engineering program for its national reputation and the wealth of opportunities it offers students to build successful careers.

Beyond the classroom, Matthew is vice president of Purdue’s Special Olympics program, where he gives back and builds his leadership skills through community service.

Learn more about Matthew: https://bit.ly/4hRzDe0

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550 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN
47907

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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