Page 9 - CEGE Magazine - Fall 2016

ALUMNIPROFILE
BERNIE BULLERT
(BCE 1968, MBA 1977)
BERNIE BULLERT STRONGLY BELIEVES THAT WATER RESEARCH HAS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIES, STATES, AND NATION.
Water quality is in
the news a lot lately. It seems to be in everyone’s best interest to preserve water quality, but the problems seem big, complex, and confusing. Manage- ment of our precious water resources must encompass the quality of our streams and lakes, the cleanliness
of our water supply, the treatment of wastewater, the management of storm water, and the infrastructure necessary
to make all those pieces work together. What can be done?
One man—who understands more than most of us about what it takes to sustain a clean water supply—has an idea to effect wide-ranging, long-term solutions. Bernie Bullert has a vision to start a water research center at the University of Minnesota.
Why Research? Why Minnesota?
Bullert has long had a penchant for research. Early in his career he saw the bene ts that come from scienti c study and careful application of results. So Bullert is proud of the work he did to initiate research programs during
his time as a leader in the water utility departments of both St. Paul and Min- neapolis. The Metropolitan Council also began sponsoring research, partly due to Bullert’s in uence.
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering | DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEO- ENGINEERING 9