ONE Word
Students, alumni and faculty were asked to provide ONE word to summarize their CAEE experience. Send us your ONE word.
Rigor
Challenging future engineers by pushing them past thier comfort zone.
Susan Fraser, CE, 2001
Accuracy
People depend on our work - it must be right!
John Panak, MSCE, 1968
Unforgettable
My experience at UT and CAEE set me up for life.
Stephen R. Delgado, ARE, 2003
Future
While engineers do learn form the past, most things we design still exist, and are therefore inherently futuristic, which is exciting.
Michael Longfellow, ARE, 1999
Proud
Going to UT for CE was the best decision I ever made for my career!
Sarah Tham, CE, 2008
Persistence
Helped me with challenges of earning my degree. It was a great learning experience.
Rob Medina, CE, 2013
Accomplishment
I feel such a strong sense of accomplishment graduating from one of the best civil engineering schools in the world.
Allison Lehman, CE, 2010
Growth
Applies to career and individual growth.
Erin Flanigan, MSCE, 1994
Satisfying
Describes fitting into the Austin community and in the LCRA since graduatiing in 1980, being a native Austinite.
Michael McCluskey,CE, 1980
Confidence
I have greatly enjoyed my work with LEED, young alumni and the External Advisory Committee.
Michael Ahern, MSCE, 2005; MBA, 2014
Opportunity
Describes the way I have been able to strike out on my own. I was a communications graduate in 2003 and have been working to recruit longhorns and serve on the CAEE External Advisory Committee.
Patti Miller, Communicatons, 2003
Open Doors
Describes career opportunities gained through UT including my former position as Associate Chair of Finance and Administration at Georgia Tech. Now I am an Adjunct Professor and Pincipal at Geosyntec, Inc.
Glenn Rix, CEPhD, 1988
Innovation
Describes where I am now, in Silicon Valley and it also applies to Austin.
Jennifer Johnson, MSCE, 1996
Integrity
It is what UT stands for and projects. It's what makes things "go around"
Kerry Lee, ArE, 1990
Energy
Relates to engineering. All the change and innovation is exciting, "zapping"
Luke Nelson, MSCE, 2003
Impactful
Describes my experience at UT. I am now the vice president of an engineering consultant firm, CP&Y, Inc.
Tom Ashcraft, CE, 1989
Awakening
I graduated in 1991 and have been with ExxonMobil for 23 years. I came from a small town and saw great talent here in Austin. I saw that applying basic skills can build a career upwards.
Tom Schuessler, CE, 1991
Stimulating
Coming from a very small town and high school, my UT experience was both challenging and exhilarating. It opened my eyes to a much wider world full of possibilities that I wasn’t aware of before and stimulated me to be successful in my life and career after UT.
Greg Kolenovsky, CE, 1998
Choices
I obtained my mater's degree in 1994. I found out what is possible, found doors as an African American youth, and found out that I could do amazing things that I didn't dream were possible before.
Richard Easley, MSCE, 1994
Collaboration
The profession is built on working together. I graduated in 2001 and am a Project Manager for a firm in S. Austin. I never left Austin.
Travis Wilson, CE, 2001
Process
I started a design group in 1990 then began my masters degree study in 1992 and completed it in 1994. Process applies in problem solving applicaitons.
Julia Herrod, MSCE, 1994
Hats
I graduated in 2000. I consider myself to be a "jack of all trades". Civil Engineering comprises many aspects to consider at once. It's inter-connected.
Hilda Obregon Lease, CE, 2000
Opportunity
After I transferred to UT during my junior year, I discovered there were tenfold opportunities awaiting me.
Kristi Grizzle, BSCE 2000, MSCE 2003
People
CE is all about people—We are working to improve the lives and safety of people everywhere.
Jonathan Lala, CE, 2016
Enlightening
This department has opened my eyes towards opportunities to change the world.
Tania Vazquez, ArE, 2014
Catalyst
My CAEE experience was instrumental in starting a successful career in public and private settings, in technical and managerial positions.
Robert D. Leonard, CE, 1983
Revolutionary
Creating new advances, technology, and opportunities for future students.
David Vargas, CE, 2015
Collaboration
A higher level of success can be achieved with input and perspectives of people with different skills and backgrounds.
Christine Connor, CE, 1995
Life
Engineers support life.
Kamal El Habr, CE, 1982, 1987
Worthwhile
I learned a lot, I was completely challenged and well-prepared for future career demands. It was worth all of the work!
Kelley Neumann, CE, 1981
Challenge
I feel like I am constantly challenging myself while mutually being challenged by the CAEE community.
Tea Vrtlar, CE, 2014
Community
My experience as a faculty member—students, faculty, and staff all working/playing together.
Desmond Lawler, Faculty
Compelling
Everything I've experienced here has sparked my interest and encouraged me to work hard.
Isha Deo, CE, 2017
Engaged
I've always been interested and engaged in my studies and work.
Brian Kevin Farris, ArE, CE, 1991
Motivational
Every time I walk into ECJ, looking at the upper-classmen, I see the person I aspire to become.
Tarek El-Afifi, CE, 2017
Growth
I've grown and experienced so much during my 4 years in CAEE.
Priscilla Nguyen, ArE, 2014
Rewarding
The friendships, the mission, the learning…the whole experience.
Alexandra Caya, CE, 2014
Build
We build our world, our cities, our networks, our infrastructure.
Maria Juenger, Faculty
Family
I get to go to SHPE meetings in ECJ and see my SHPE familia.
Marisela Castro, CE, 2005
Diversity
My degree has allowed me to a diverse insight into many pursuits.
William Shea, ArE, 1973
Sustainable
Because of its importance in the environment, design and communities.
Michael Vandermate, ArE, 1988
Eye-opening
CAEE opened my eyes to the endless world of opportunities in life.
Pamela Ruiz, CE, 2017
Enthusiasm
It's important to carry enthusiasm into your work and future as you attempt to make a difference in the world.
Olivia Clark, CE, 2014
Growth
My job is to design new facilities to support population growth!
Gerald D. Prickette, ArE, 1968
Passion
CAEE faculty, staff, and students have taught me that passion for what we do is a key part of success.
Juan Gevaudan, CE, 2014
Reliable
CAEE grads are reliable and provide reliable infrastructure.
Thomas Benz, CE, 1987
Inspiring
For inspiring me to always dream.
Sarah Seraj, CE, 2014
Home
Besides practically living in ECJ, the professors who wanted me to succeed and the students who worked together to make it through were kind of like a family.
Hannah Romaine, CE, 2012
Adaptability
Ability to utilize what I learned to a variety of issues unrelated to my area of study.
John Hargrove, CE, 2005
Invigorating
The amount of change possible through civil engineering is invigorating.
Megan Skoglund, CE, 2017
Keystone
Engineers are the central supporting element for the whole of society.
Cathy Clark, CE, 2014
Self-Confidence
Overcoming the difficulty in graduating provided reassurance and self-confidence to face life's challenges.
Nicolas Cocavessis, CE, 1978
Proud
I am proud that I have a degree from UT. When people know you have a CE degree from UT, they always seem to have respect for that and for you.
Natalie Weiershausen (Chaney), CE, 2008
Reverisco
It means, "I thrive," I learned it at Boys State, 1986, UT Austin.
J. MacDonald Ruffeno, CE, 1992
Phenomenal
Architectural Engineering creates so many opportunities to give back to the community; the possibilities are endless!
Rebecca Lynn Gomez, ArE, 2016
Evolution
Broad and rich environment that leads to development personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Brian Waters, CE, 2001
Defining
The experience I have has defined myself more than any other.
Noah McIlhon, CE, 2015
Improvements
Improving people's lives is why we do what we do.
Robert S. Wright, Jr., CE, 1979
Involvement
A career in engineering has directly involved me in community issues and projects.
Chris Lippe, CE, 1974
Highway
Almost everything consumers use depends on an adequate transportation system to convey products and people.
Gary Johnson, CE, 1963
Dedication
Problem-solving takes dedication.
Schiller Lao, CE, 1996
Discover
Opportunity to discover myself professional, academically, and personally.
Luis Galindo, CE, 2015
Cities
I have worked 50+ years in facility engineering with emphasis on cities growth.
Clyde H. Gordon, Sr., ArE, 1956
Earth
Our relationship with the earth determines our future. Our profession has a great effect on this relationship.
David Mercer, ArE, 1980
Work
Work that leaves a mark on the world.
Chris Flores, CE, 1994
Fulfilling
We have to work so hard, but I am learning so much.
Vanessa O'Kelly, CE, 2016
Directed
My studies helpd me direct my experiences and knowledge.
Phil Ponebshek, CE, 1987
Premier
Encompasses quality, breadth and depth of education and resonance of experience of being associated with CAEE beyond graduation.
Jason Brecht, CE, 1997
Opportunity
My masters propelled me to a long and varied career of engineering and construction. How many people do you know who are a P.E., R.P.L.S., Real Estate Broker and Master Gardener?
G. Michael Kyrish, EHE, 1972
Think
CAEE makes me and my students think when I teach and we do research together.
Spyros A. Kinnas, Faculty