Local engineering group establishes scholarship endowment fund at UT Arlington

Representatives of the Fort Worth Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers have announced the creation of an endowment fund to provide scholarships for civil engineering students at the University of Texas at Arlington. The Fort Worth Branch has committed to raise $25,000 over the next five years, an amount that will be matched by the University through its Maverick Match program, bringing the total value of the endowment to $50,000.

A presentation of the first installment of $5,000 was made in November during a ceremony on the UT Arlington campus. ASCE Fort Worth Branch president Scott Berman, P.E., a UT Arlington civil engineering alumnus, said this is not the first time the organization has provided scholarships for civil engineering students.

"The Professor Dayle Clark Endowment that the branch created several years ago now totals in excess of $26,000," Berman said. "In addition, members of the Fort Worth Branch serve UT Arlington civil engineering students by mentoring them scholastically and professionally, by supporting student activities through participation and financial support, and by including them in branch activities such as monthly meetings and community service projects."

The scholarships will be awarded to both graduate and undergraduate civil engineering students based on scholastic achievement, financial need and participation in extracurricular organizations such as the ASCE.

The ASCE Fort Worth Branch promotes advancement of the civil engineering profession through monthly meetings featuring technical topics on real world issues and through organizing continuing education activities. The ASCE Fort Worth Branch has approximately 800 members on its official roster and its membership covers areas extending west to Wichita Falls and Abilene. Average branch meeting attendance has been about 100, with several UTA civil engineering students attending most meetings.

"We have a very active younger members group which provides networking opportunities and actively participates in a number of local civic activities," said Berman.

The branch currently assists in organizing and participating in the Christmas Wish Project for Tarrant County foster children, the North Tarrant Food Bank and the Fort Worth Golden Gloves.

The creation of the scholarship endowment was made to coincide with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of UT Arlington's College of Engineering. About 3,700 students are majoring in one or more of the 12 engineering disciplines offered by the college.

The ASCE Student Chapter at UT Arlington provides tutoring and mentoring programs for civil engineering students and engages in national student competitions such as designing, constructing and racing a concrete canoe or designing and constructing lightweight steel bridges that can carry heavy loads.

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