April 2024 President’s Report
Michael R. Cunningham, PE, Senior Principal Engineer, Kleinfelder
The special theme of this month’s newsletter is Professional Development. I believe that professional engineers and those aspiring to become one must renew their focus on professional development and that the senior leaders of our members’ organizations should encourage their employees and colleagues to attend our education and training events and become active in the organization. BSCES leaders are still seeing significantly lower participation in our technical events compared to pre-pandemic levels, which is cause for concern given how rapidly the civil engineering profession continues to evolve. Professional development is a core component of BSCES’ mission. We exist to advance the growth of civil engineering professionals. Our nine ASCE institute chapters and technical groups coordinate and host events that provide vital technical training and present the latest developments in the civil engineering profession. These events also bring members together to expand their professional network by sharing their experiences and knowledge.
Speaking of BSCES technical events, we have several coming up over the next two months, such as Selection of Rehabilitation Methods for Large Diameter Pipe, the Fifth Charles C. Ladd Memorial Lecture on Liquefaction Failure of Tailings Dams, and two National Highway Institute bridge inspection training courses, and more in the planning stages!
Our featured group this month is the Younger Member Group and the group chair, James Gayle, L.A. Fuess Partners, prepared an article about the group, the various events they’ve held this year, and upcoming events. By my count, there are 12 past and future events listed, which is impressive! Nice job staying busy this year James and the Younger Member Group! This issue has an article from Indrani Ghosh, PhD, Weston & Sampson and Mia Mansfield, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs on the ResilientMass Action Team’s (RMAT) Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool. There is also an article from the BSCES Committee on Sustainability Chair, Elizabeth Clark, PE, MassDEP, about the committee and encouraging members interested in sustainability to join the committee, which is timed nicely to coincide with Earth Day this week.
This newsletter also features several news items including one from former BSCES president, Richard Maher, SOCOTEC, and two about our student chapters. I’d like to congratulate the leaders, members and advisors of the Northeastern University ASCE Student Chapter for their group being named the recipient of the 2024 ASCE Distinguished Chapter Award for Region 1 by the ASCE Committee on Student Members. I’d also like to congratulate the leaders, members and advisors of the University of Massachusetts Amherst ASCE Student Chapter for their group being awarded a 2024 ASCE Letter of Significant Improvement based on the recommendation of the Committee on Student Members. It is great to see those involved in the activities of these student chapters being recognized for their enthusiasm and hard work.
The 175th BSCES Annual Awards Celebration will be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Save the date! Registration will be available starting in May.
The application deadline for the BSCES Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee's Professor Peter S. Eagleson Memorial Scholarship was extended to May 31! The intent of the Professor Peter S. Eagleson Memorial Scholarship is to provide aid to those that come from backgrounds that are under-represented in the civil engineering profession. This scholarship is overseen by the BSCES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the benefit of eligible BSCES Student Members who are accepted for admission or enrolled in an undergraduate civil engineering program at a Commonwealth of Massachusetts college or university. This scholarship has a total value of $20,000, which will be awarded in two yearly payments of $10,000. This award may be used for tuition, books, housing, or other needs. Click here to learn more including how to apply.