The SEI Bridge the Gap program provides small grant funding from the SEI Futures Fund for eligible local SEI Chapters to run innovative programs promoting student and professional member interaction to attract and retain students as life-long, active SEI members. Funds were granted this cycle for SEI Graduate Student Chapters at the University of Cincinnati, Oregon State University, and University of Texas, Arlington, and to professional SEI Chapters – East Central Florida, Illinois, and Lehigh Valley.
In June, the SEI Grad Student Chapter at Oregon State University held an event to visit the recently expanded Providence Park Stadium in Portland. Members from the local SEI chapters and the ASCE Section enjoyed networking with students and faculty members, a KPFF presentation on the expansion project, and a visit to the stadium to watch a game and observe some of the elements from the technical presentation.
In September, the SEI Illinois Chapter held a networking dinner and interactive panel event, Preparing for a Career in Structural Engineering, at the Illinois Institute of Technology (where there is an active ASCE student chapter), and included outreach to the University of Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern University. Following a presentation on career paths in structural engineering, SEI IL structural engineering professionals rotated among small group tables of students discussing career topics and involvement in professional societies and answering questions.
Impact the future of structural engineering and programs like this with a gift to the SEI Futures Fund www.asce.org/SEIFuturesFund.