BSCES Honors 2024 Award Winners

Michelle Monette, BSCES Membership Associate

At the 175th BSCES Annual Awards Dinner, which was held at the Royal Sonesta Boston on Thursday, June 21, the BSCES Board of Government honored the following 2024 award winners. 

2024 BSCES Section Award Winners

Clemens Herschel Award: This award recognizes an individual who has published a paper, not necessarily published in the BSCES Journal, that has been useful, commendable, and worthy of grateful acknowledgment. 

This award was presented to Seda Gokyer Erbis, PhD, PE, from Geocomp, Inc., for her article entitled “S-Scan Smarting up Subsurface Characterization.”

College Educator Award: This award is presented to a member of the academic community who inspires and encourages civil engineering students through exceptional teaching and mentorship. Educators empower students to realize full potential and exemplify the profession in their classroom. 

This award was presented to Gautham P. Das, PhD, PE, from Wentworth Institute of Technology, for his commitment to educating students and use of innovative teaching methods.

Engineer of the Year Award: This award is presented to a BSCES member, with 15 years or more professional experience, who has exhibited extraordinary leadership in the form of managerial leadership, technical excellence, professional integrity, and mentorship of other engineers.

This award was presented to Carlos G. Peña, PE, from Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC, for his esteemed career as an engineer, leader, and mentor.

Horne/Gaynor Public Service Award: This award is presented to a BSCES member or registered professional engineer for unpaid public service in a municipal, state, or federal-elected or appointed post for philanthropic activities in the public interest.

This award was presented to Azuanuka O. Etoniru, PE, PLS, from the E.T. Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in acknowledgement of his service as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Journalism Award: This award is presented to a journalist or other author who has published one or more articles, papers, books, social media blogs, or film for a non-technical audience that raises awareness of the contributions of the civil engineering profession.

This award was presented to Rens F. Hayes, IV, PE, from H+O Structural Engineering for his Design Development Podcast.

Pre-College Educator Award: This award is presented to a member of the K-12 educational community who integrates engineering topics, particularly civil engineering, in a manner that benefits the profession and may promote students to pursue an engineering career.

This award was presented to Richard Gifford, from Sandwich Middle/High School, for his noteworthy support of Provincetown IB Schools students who compete in the Future City New England Regional Competition.

Charles A. Stone and Edwin S. Webster Project of the Year Award: This award is presented to a BSCES member and their project team who has served in a major role on an innovative, challenging, unique, and/or complex project located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The majority of the work should have been completed by engineers located within Massachusetts.

This award was presented to Kathy Schaeffer, PE, and her project team from AECOM for the Boston Logan Airport Terminal E Project.

Younger Member Award: This award is intended to recognize a BSCES member, 35 years of age or younger on February 1 in the year of the award, who has made an outstanding contribution to BSCES and/or the civil engineering profession.

This award was presented to James B. Gayle, from L.A. Fuess Partners, for his commitment to supporting the Young Member Group and outreach to the Commonwealth’s ASCE Student Chapters.

Employer Recognition Award Winners

Large Employer Recognition Award: This award recognizes those employers with more than 50 employees who commit to providing exceptional opportunities to their engineers. Special recognition will go to those organizations who exhibit exemplary support as evidenced by: encouraging technical and professional growth through continuing education, training, mentoring, project experience, participation in development of technical papers or presentations, and other means; tackling staff quality-of-life issues in the modern workplace; contributing to the community to make a positive impact; encouraging active participation in professional societies such as ASCE/BSCES.

This award was presented to HNTB Corporation for encouraging professional growth and participation in BSCES and ASCE.

Small Employer Recognition Award: This award recognizes those employers with less than 50 employees who commit to providing exceptional opportunities to their engineers. Special recognition will go to those organizations who exhibit exemplary support as evidenced by: encouraging technical and professional growth through continuing education, training, mentoring, project experience, participation in development of technical papers or presentations, and other means; tackling staff quality-of-life issues in the modern workplace; contributing to the community to make a positive impact; encouraging active participation in professional societies such as ASCE/BSCES.

This award was presented to L.A. Fuess Partners for its commitment to encouraging professional growth and participation in BSCES and ASCE.

Sustainability in Civil Engineering Award Winner

Sustainability in Civil Engineering Award: This award recognizes a Massachusetts civil engineering infrastructure project constructed within the last three years that exemplifies the principles of sustainability espoused by the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).

This award was presented to Sasaki Associates for the Boston City Hall Plaza Project.

President's Award Winner

President’s Awards: 2023-2024 BSCES President Michael Cunningham also awarded a President’s Awards, which is presented in recognition for service to the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section/ASCE.

The award was presented to Danielle Spicer, PE, from Green International Affiliates, Inc., for serving two three-year terms as the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 1 Governor.