As we head into summer, there is a great deal to celebrate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. This year marked our final academic year under the quarter system, and we now look ahead to a new chapter for both Cal Poly and our department with the transition to semesters. It is an exciting moment, one that invites reflection on how far we have come and anticipation for where we are headed next.
This newsletter offers a snapshot of that progress. From the launch of geospatial engineering and the BRIDGE Program to student achievements through ASCE, SAMPE and emerging industry partnerships, the stories in this issue reflect a department that is growing, adapting and continuing to create new opportunities for students.
That same momentum shows up in the work our students are doing beyond the classroom. This newsletter includes a story on Cal Poly’s strong performance at the international SAMPE student competition, where students earned first place overall after months of hard work and preparation. You will also read about the proposed student chapter focused on trenchless technology, an effort that could open another valuable pathway into a growing area of civil infrastructure.
The newsletter also highlights the remarkable depth of our student community through the American Society of Civil Engineers chapter. This spring, the chapter earned the Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award and claimed its fourth straight Pacific Southwest Symposium title, a reflection of sustained leadership, service and year-round commitment. Those honors speak not only to competitive success but to the culture students continue to build together.
You will also meet people whose commitment continues to shape our department long after graduation. Our spotlight on Industrial Advisory Board member Tim O’Connor is one example of the lasting impact alumni can have through leadership and connection. This issue also features research by Professor Stefan Talke, whose recent publication in Nature Geoscience speaks to the broad relevance of civil and environmental engineering research and the role our faculty play in advancing important work.
Thank you for being part of the civil and environmental engineering community. Whether you are finishing the year on campus, supporting students behind the scenes, or following the department from afar, your connection to this community matters. I hope you enjoy this issue, and I wish you a restful and rewarding summer.
To support civil and environmental engineering students and programs, visit the department’s giving page here.
