Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

ASCE Update, Fall 2004

By Rachel Kliethermes, chapter president

The main goals of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter is to expose members to the real life challenges of civil engineering, to provide a support network, outreach, and contacts for members, and to improve the image of civil engineering as a profession.

Currently ASCE operates with a cabinet of 17 civil engineering students. ASCE has 200 members, who are greatly encouraged to become active members. With the institution of a new constitution, active membership has become an integral part of ASCE involvement. We have allowed for a semi-restructuring of the leadership in the chapter, in turn providing more ways to take ownership of ASCE and the CCEE Department.

ASCE has been very busy since the beginning of the school year, with various activities including: concrete canoe, steel bridge, outreach activities, speaker meetings, and social events. ASCE hosts at least one speaker meeting per month where students have a chance to learn about various civil engineering topics outside the classroom from practicing professionals. The programmed events are focused on community, outreach, and personal/professional development.

Outreach activities:

  • WestPoint Bridge Builder
  • Trick or Treat for MICA
  • Society of Women Engineers Haunted House
  • BoyScout Jamboree in Des Moines

Social events:

  • fall camping trip
  • bowling at the Memorial Union
  • Friday after class

ASCE Student Chapter of Iowa State is also very excited about the opportunity to host the 2005 Mid-West Regional Conference to be held March 3–5 of 2005. The Mid-West Regional Conference is an annual event that brings together 200 to 300 students from nine civil engineering programs in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Ontario, Canada.

At the conference, students will participate in career and leadership events to broaden their horizons in the civil engineering profession. In addition, the regional steel bridge competition will be held during the last day of the conference.

At Iowa State University in 2005, the conference will focus on the unique facilities that the College of Engineering has and the four emphasizes of the civil engineering program (environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation).