March 17, 2025

The Mizzou College of Engineering has bestowed its highest honor, the Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service, on Ed Hassinger, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

“The College is proud of Ed’s many contributions to the strength and resilience of the state of Missouri,” Mizzou Engineering Dean Marisa Chrysochoou said. “He is a visionary leader, inspiring excellence in our transportation infrastructure.”

Hassinger has led many significant projects at MoDOT, including the $690 million Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and I-64 reconstruction.

Hassinger said he was honored and humbled to receive the award.

“My education at Mizzou was the start of a 40-year career in engineering,” he said. “I had some great professors that took an interest in me and gave me the tools to succeed, even if I didn’t know it at the time. I am proud of my roots at Mizzou and what that has done for my career over the years.”

Hassinger earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mizzou and promptly went to work for MoDOT as a design engineer in the bridge division. Among his many achievements over the years, he oversaw MoDOT’s transportation planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations activities statewide. 

Over the years Hassinger has remained involved with Mizzou Engineering as a guest instructor, as a member of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni, and through collaboration with the Missouri Center for Transportation Innovation.

“Ed has committed his career to innovative solutions for Missouri’s transportation system,” Chrysochoou said. “Beyond being a brilliant engineer, he is an accountable partner and reliable advocate for people throughout the state.”

Hassinger’s honor award was one of two presented at the 2025 Mizzou Engineering Awards Banquet March 14, the other going to LTA Manufacturing CEO Christine Pierson.