Page 3 - Class of 2020

College of Science and Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEO- ENGINEERING
Welcome
A message for the CEGE Graduating Class of Spring 2020
from Joseph Labuz, MSES/Kersten Professor and Department Head
Welcome to this historic spring 2020 graduation cere- mony for the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, our name reflecting our three degree programs. Our vision is “inspired and innova- tive engineering for society.” We are here to celebrate the achievements of the graduates but first I will provide some background on the department.
In 1871 the Regents voted to form a civil engineering
program in response to the country’s need for civil
engineers to design and build bridges, dam, roads,
tunnels, and other infrastructure. The program steadily grew, and in 1910 the Universi- ty established the Department of Civil Engineering. Some seventy years later the newly constructed Civil Engineering Building received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for pioneering use of underground space.
Environmental engineering became a degree program in 2014, yet work related to the environment has been part of our department since it was established. In the early days, it was called sanitary engineering. As concern for the environment grew, this field evolved into environmental engineering. The problems studied today vary from air and water pollution to waste disposal.
The history of geoengineering dates back to 1888 when the School of Mines was established. The School offered degrees in mining, metallurgical, petroleum, and geo- engineering. The School of Mines has a special place in hearts of Minnesotans because in 1946 a process was discovered to change taconite rock into commercial iron ore. The School was disbanded in 1970, and geoengineering found a home in our department.
Throughout the years, students and faculty have produced valuable work benefitting communities in Minnesota and beyond. I have already mentioned the taconite process. Some of the world’s largest dams have been studied and designed in our hydraulics laboratory. The new 35W bridge contains hundreds of our sensors that monitor force, movement, and temperature, and that information is being used to analyze perfor- mance. Department studies of pollutant fate and transport led to Minnesota and other states banning the use of triclosan in consumer products. Many challenges remain and I look forward to your contributions.
In closing, graduates with Bachelor of Engineering degrees from the University of Minnesota, you are recognized as individuals of high ability and intellect. However, I will leave you with a quote from a fictional professor, “It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.” Graduates, congratulations on your achieve- ments and make good choices!