Mizzou ASCE Celebrates 100 years of student success

September 30, 2024

The Mizzou student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is celebrating its 100th year of helping students grow into successful engineers.

Mizzou ASCE Leadership
Mizzou ASCE Leadership. From left: Glenn Washer, Sarah Orton, Praveen Edara, Awa-Bousso Gueye, Joella Melegrito, Piper Dickson, Nia Spears, Colin Kilcoin, Mason Sledge, Erik Wagner. Not pictured: Chris Appel

The Mizzou student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024, and its members are excited about the organization’s future.

Civil engineering has a storied history at Mizzou. “Surveying, Levelling and Classical Topography,” a civil course, was the university’s first engineering class in 1849, making Mizzou the first to offer an engineering education west of the Mississippi River. In 1856, two students became the first to graduate with civil engineering degrees, and in 1859 the department was established.

ASCE 100 years celebration cake

Sixty-five years later, Mizzou ASCE was established to support and foster the development of undergraduate college students as they prepare for the engineering profession.

“It’s a great time to be a civil engineer,” Mason Sledge, Mizzou ASCE chapter president, said. “As a freshman, I knew that I wanted to be a part of civil engineering but wasn’t sure what area of civil I saw myself in. There is something inspiring about working on large projects that benefit the communities we work and live in. So, I joined Mizzou ASCE to get a better understanding of what different civil engineers did.”

Mizzou ASCE strives to further education about civil engineering outside the classroom and foster networking among students and professionals. The group helps students learn more about the different fields within civil engineering, such as structural, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering, to help them find what is right for them.

For Sledge, joining the organization led him to discover a passion for structural engineering. The chapter invites industry speakers from across disciplines to general body meetings every other Wednesday to talk with students about their careers and give advice for navigating the profession.

The Steel Bridge and Concrete Canoe teams outside of Lafferre Hall before leaving for the competition at Kansas State University.
The 2023 Steel Bridge and Concrete Canoe teams outside of Lafferre Hall.

It also opens the door to hands-on learning opportunities in national competitions, such as Sustainable Solutions, Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge—the latter two of which have grown so popular they have become their own student organizations at Mizzou.

“Through travelling with the organization to different competitions and conventions, I’ve gotten to meet people from all over the country and hear their insights,” Nia Spears, social events chair, said. “ASCE is an amazing organization and I’m thankful that I joined during my freshman year. The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had because of ASCE have shaped me into the student engineer I am today.”

To kick off the 2024-25 school year and recognize the 100th anniversary, Mizzou ASCE hosted a BBQ for students, faculty and staff. Students discussed their summer internships and what they were excited about this year, while faculty were able to advise on how to succeed in civil engineering classes and careers. The event was capped off with a scavenger hunt around Lafferre Hall.

“ASCE is special because it fosters the connections and learning which happen in the classroom in a way which sets civil students up for success in their career,” Sledge said. “I’ve enjoyed that ASCE has allowed me to connect with so many different people I may not have otherwise met, and I feel like I’ve been able to get insights into the civil industry which I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.”

Mizzou ASCE plans to host more events throughout the semester, including volunteering at the food bank, a pickleball tournament and a game night, among others. Spears says that the biggest ASCE event that she’s looking forward to is ASCE Kids Day, during which the chapter invites elementary school students to do activities that teach them about what civil engineers do.

Sledge and Spears invite all engineering students to get involved in the organization, whether or not civil is their intended major.

“Mizzou ASCE is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the civil engineering profession,” Sledge said. “If someone is uncertain about what engineering they want to pursue, not sure what part of civil fits them, or just wants to learn a bit more, ASCE has the resources for them to learn more and network with civil students and professionals.”

Spears agreed.

“Any engineer can join ASCE,” she said. “It can be beneficial for our competition teams to have members from different disciplines. My favorite part of being involved with the organization has been all the people I’ve gotten the chance to meet.”

Learn more about civil engineering at Mizzou. Apply today!