From the President - Here's a little information about ASCE and our chapter here. 


So what is the American Society of Civil Engineers anyway? 
It is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the civil engineering profession by providing a community to network with professionals all over the country, discuss key issues facing civil engineers today, and also provide a means to recommend to the U.S. Congress which parts of our infrastructure need the most attention and improvement.  However, it is much more than this.  At the student chapter level (KU ASCE), we do many of the same things: host meetings in which local professionals come and present on their work while providing networking opportunities with these professionals and each other at various meetings and banquets.  In addition, our KU chapter participates in engineering related community service, field trips to see area civil engineering projects, travels to ASCE conferences, and competes in Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge against other local schools in our region (K-State, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc.).  Even if you think you're going into environmental or architectural engineering, ASCE encompasses both of these majors as well.


Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge?  What?
Yes that's right.  We build a canoe out of concrete and race it against these other schools at an annual competition hosted by one of the schools in our region.  In 2009 we went to Carbondale, IL (Southern Illinois University) in April.  We also have the Steel Bridge team in which the team constructs a 20 foot   long bridge made of steel members.  They are judged on things like time to construct, weight of materials, cost, aesthetics, etc.  This year our team took 4th place overall behind three very good teams!


Check out the links to these two groups to the left.




So why should I join anyway and get involved?

• A huge component that employers are looking for when they look to hire engineers is not your GPA.  A company may have a minimum GPA requirement but you can stand out from everyone else if you get involved in extra-curricular activities such as ASCE and Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge.  Employers will know you have a true interest in civil engineering when you can put ASCE on your resume.  ASCE can help you get a summer internship, which is probably the most important thing you can do in your academic career.  Internships allow you to "try out" companies to see who you like and what work you like to do (or not do).  Oh and engineering internships pay very well!
  
• ASCE will bring in professionals from around the area to present on the work they do, which will also allow you to see what you might want to do when you graduate.  Civil engineering is a broad profession, so we try to get professionals from all different backgrounds.
• Free food!  We always have food at our meetings and we meet at least every other week during the school year, usually more.
  
• Leadership experience!  We all know how important that is.  Now if you are a leader in a civil engineering organization, employers are REALLY going to look your way over your peers!  The good news for you is that we will have plenty of opportunities in December when we have elections for 2010.  Many of our senior officers will be gone, leaving the door wide open for underclassmen.  Leadership experience leads to lots of opportunities such as being able to go to conferences on KU's dime - in January we went to Denver, CO for the ASCE Student Workshop for Student Leadership (WSCL).  It's a blast, trust me.  I've also received additional scholarships as I've become more involved in ASCE.  Faculty will recognize your efforts and that goes a long way.
  
• To have fun with your peers and meet your classmates!  We always do fun activities throughout the semester.  Bowling, parties at officers' houses, cookouts, intramurals, away game watch parties, and more.  Engineering is not all work and no play, regardless of what you may have heard.  It is one of the most rewarding professions out there.
• Community service.  Feel good about work you helped out with, whether it be Habitat for Humanity, a pasta bridge/gum drop bridge competition for grade school kids, or other local projects.
• The price is right!  For freshmen we do not charge a membership fee.  Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students pay $10, $15, $20, and $20 respectively for the school year.

So how do I join?  When are these meetings and activities?
To join, simply fill out a Membership Application (check out the Downloads link) and turn it into an officer at a meeting or to Carol Jo in 2150 Learned Hall (wonderful secretary for our department).  You can get one from us at a meeting or from Carol Jo as well.

Check out our Calendar link to the left for all ASCE events coming up.

Trust me, you will find out about meetings and events.  Look out for emails from Carol Jo Sloan.  Don't delete these without reading!  She sends emails out on behalf of the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department almost every day during the school year.  Look out for fliers about upcoming activities around Learned Hall.  Join our facebook group!  Search facebook for KU ASCE or head to this link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2201170647&ref=ts
We'll invite you to meetings and events by means of a facebook event too! 

So that's it for my welcome.  Like I said, there will be many opportunities for leadership in December, so get involved now and figure out what you want to run for!  We have many different positions.  I graduate in December, so I will miss KU ASCE.  It's been 4 great years.  However, I will continue to be involved in ASCE throughout my career.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email kuasce@ku.edu or my personal email, listed below.


Matt


Matt Hinshaw
KU ASCE President
matthinshaw3808@gmail.com

This site is run using the Google account: asce.ku@gmail.com (if you'd like to subscribe to our calendar).