L to R: Jerome F. Hajjar, CDM Smith Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University; Col. Aaron T. Hill, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Chair of ASCE’s Committee on Education; and W. Samuel Easterling, James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering at Iowa State University.
Dean Easterling receives excellence in civil engineering education leadership award
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has awarded W. Samuel Easterling, James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of Engineering at Iowa State University, and Jerome F. Hajjar, CDM Smith Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University, the 2023 Thomas A. Lenox Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Leadership Award for extraordinary leadership in civil engineering education. The award was presented at the Civil Engineering Division Banquet at the 2023 Annual Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education in Baltimore, Maryland.
Easterling and Hajjar were recognized for their leadership of the ASCE Department Heads Council and increasing engagement of civil engineering department heads and chairs with ASCE. These efforts resulted in greater participation in the annual National Civil Engineering Department Heads Conference and greater and more diverse participation in the Department Heads Coordinating Council (DHCC), which leads ASCE’s efforts to engage with department heads and chairs.
“The partnership of Sam and Jerry transformed the leadership of the Department Heads Coordinating Council, resulting in a profound national impact that will have lasting effects…The cohesive integration of their leadership of the DHCC established a direction and momentum that will influence the education and preparation of future generations of students and thereby impact the profession,” says Joel Burken, chair of the ASCE DHCC. Created in 2000 as the ExCEEd Leadership Award, the award was re-named in 2018 to honor Thomas A. Lenox, Ph.D., Dist.M.ASCE, F.ASEE, for his exemplary leadership in civil engineering education.
The award winners were selected through the ASCE Committee on Education. “ASCE’s educational activities community is pleased to recognize Dr. Easterling and Dr. Hajjar for their tireless work in engaging the leaders of civil engineering departments across the country in ASCE’s activities. Their efforts have helped to better develop the profession’s future members and leaders,” said Col. Aaron T. Hill, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Chair of ASCE’s Committee on Education.