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75th anniversary

UTEP’s Department of Civil Engineering is rich in a long line of history. This graphic timeline depicts highlights of notable historical accounts within the department, illustrating the distinguished legacy we have determinedly established. Below the graphic is a comprehensive timeline by decade delineating our history from engineering beginnings to now. The compilation of our history was made possible thanks to the tremendous help of our Distinguished Alumnus William F. “Willie” Quinn, BSCE 1954, who has, out of a profound passion for the university, served as a longtime historian in support of such detailed documentation.

Timeline

 

 

1913

  • The Texas Legislature creates the Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy. (The school continued to be known simply as Texas School of Mines), (TSM).

1914

  • The UT Board of Regents formally established TSM, first classes in session.
  • Civil (mining) engineering began to be taught at TSM.
  • John W. “Cap” Kidd, a renowned professor of engineering, among the first on faculty.

John Kidd

1916

  • Main building of the school burned down.

1917

  • Group of five El Pasoans donated 28 acres of land for the school where campus is currently located.

1919

  • UT Board of Regents took over assets of the school, renaming it the Department of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas.
  • Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Engineering and Geology Social Fraternity founded at TCM, what would become long-held traditions began to form.
  • St. Patrick’s Day “Eye-Opening” dynamite blast in Orogrande, NM, acted as freshman initiation and TCM Day as we know it today.

APO

1919-1920

  • Formerly known as TSM, the school became known as Texas College of Mines (TCM).

1920

  • College of Mines and Metallurgy (TCM) created.
  • First St. Patrick’s Day Picnic at TCM.

1927

  • The El Paso Junior College and TSM in close competition to officially be named the chartered state college in El Paso. Mines was successful and “Cap” Kidd was quick to dub the transferring “Pedagogues” “Peedoggies,” which would stick with the “old Miners.” The “Peedoggies” requitted with the name “Peasants,” referencing to engineering majors.

Peedoggies

1928

  • Posters of El Paso Natural Gas Company (EPNG) began as El Paso’s premier company/industry, expanding into the largest U.S. gas pipeline company which employed a large number of civil engineers, many from UTEP Civil Engineering Department.

EPNG

1932

  • “Cap” Kidd responsible for Track and Field Stadium’s design layout and construction.

1934

  • Joseph P. Friedkin served in the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), would serve the commission for 48 years.
  • Track and Field Stadium named Kidd Field after “Cap” Kidd.

Kidd Field

1939

  • Division of Engineering created.

1941

  • John W. Kidd AKA “Cap” Kidd deceased.

1946

  • Civil/electric engineering degrees authorized by UT Board of Regents organized under the Engineering and Drawing Department (second engineering degrees offered, succeeding the mining engineering degree with a metallurgy option.
  • The “El Paso Engineers Club” formed.
  • Birth year of John M. Molina, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) civil engineering graduate, and co-founder and president of Great Basin Petroleum Service, launched with his brother.

 

1947

  • President Dossie Wiggins announces two-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering (BSCE and BSEE). The plan was presented to the UT Board of Regents and approved without comment.
  • The UT Board of Regents approves the BSCE when Ralph Coleman (1947-1982, assoc. prof. Engr. Drafting) and Professor Guldemann were directed by Professor Decker and Dean Thomas to conjure up degree plans.
  • The BSCE program admitted its first students in the fall.
  • Student Chapter organized as a branch of UT Austin Student Chapter.
  • W. H. McDill was the first faculty advisor.
  • O. Paul Lance was the first El Paso Branch contact member.

1948

  • Paul Hassler joins faculty.
  • H. H. Corbett was the second El Paso Branch contact member.

1949

  • Texas College of Mines (TCM) becomes Texas Western College (TWC).
  • CE Faculty totaled three instructors and 80 majors.
  • E. J. Guldemann joins faculty, stays five years.
  • TWC created.
  • Issuance of “Green Cards” as proof of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) initiation ritual completion.
  • First civil engineering Graduates from TWC announced by President Wiggins are conferred their degrees.
    • Gordon A. Aaker
    • Arthur E. Alarcon
    • Chester F. Berryhill
    • Roberto R. Bustamante
    • Oscar Caballero
    • James R. Myers
    • Roberto J. Salazar

1950

  • The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) approved the formation of the El Paso Branch at their Spring Meeting held in May 1950.

1952

  • “The Great Gator Caper” prank turned tradition, live alligator at the downtown Plaza Park removed and relocated to Geology Prof. Howard “Doc” Quinn’s office.

alligator

1954

  • UTEP C.E. Graduate Major General (Ret.) James P. Maloney, who served as commanding general ("Mayor") of Fort Bliss from 1982 to 1985, receives BSCE.

1955

  • Building addition (south) made to old Engineering Building.
  • The department gains offices and labs.

Engineering Expansion

1956

  • Student Chapter wins first state awards.
  • Keith Yarborough joins faculty, stays three years.
  • Live alligator removed and relocated once again to the college swimming pool just hours prior to annual swim meet. The meet was cancelled however, APO’s then entered a hog (which incidentally won and was then stripped of its title), into the scheduled as planned “Miss TWC Beauty Pageant.”
  • Article on the "Structural Analysis of Strapless Evening Gowns," published in the September 1956 issue of El Burro, TWC's student humor magazine.

APO Pig

1957

  • Phil Young joins faculty.
  • W. H. McDill leaves.

1958

  • Carl Billings joins faculty, stays two years.
  • Russ Brinker joins faculty, stays three years.

1960

  • Dave Rozendal and Robert Coltharp join faculty.

 

1961

  • Department involved in training Peace Corps.
  • The Kidd Memorial Foundation, established by colleagues and former students, constructed the John W. Kidd Memorial Seismic Observatory located west of Old Main Building.

1962

  • Civil Engineering alumnus Joseph P. Friedken University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Distinguished Alumni Award recipient (BSCE 1932).
  • Posters of El Paso Natural Gas Company (EPNG) constructed Flaming Gorge 34" O.D. Pipeline Suspension Bridge (Wyoming), the U.S.' highest (190 ft), and longest (1,919 ft) pipeline suspension bridge.

Flaming Gorge Bridge

1963

  • Department of Civil Engineering (CE) created.
  • Cal Woods appointed first CE chairman.
  • Student Chapter separated from UT Austin Branch status.
  • L. L. Abernathy becomes engineering dean.
  • Corinne O. Payan becomes the first female civil engineering graduate.

1964

  • School of Engineering formed to include four departments: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Metallurgy.

1966

  • Civil Engineering curriculum accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development (ECPD), currently known as Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

1967

  • Finally, the transition from Texas Western College (TWC) to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
  • First graduate work offered in civil engineering.
  • Hong-Sioe "HS" Oey joins faculty.

TWC UTEP

1968

  • First Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) degrees awarded to first cohort of students (five graduates).
  • Student Chapter named Harry H. Corbett Student Chapter.
  • Garth Henderson joins faculty.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Hector Holguin receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1969

  • Tony Tarquin joins faculty, now numbering seven.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert F. Chesshir receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1970

  • Engineering moved to old Globe Mills "Hacienda Tech" site.
  • Ray Guard becomes engineering dean.
  • “El Burro” Magazine published the article on intramural volleyball.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert “Bob” Navarro received the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

 

1971

  • “El Burro” ceased publication of its soft-bound magazine.
  • Enrique “Kiki” Bustamante Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

El Burro

1972

  • Herb Bartel joins faculty and is appointed civil engineering chairman.
  • Cal Woods leaves for Texas A&M University.
  • Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity ceased existence, essentially “kicked off” campus due to administration favoring the National APO Service Fraternity for the prestigiousness of its national affiliation.
  • Hans Patel TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient.

1973

  • College of Engineering created.
  • Pat Conover TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

1974

  • Civil engineering returned to campus in Old Main, Education, and Cotton Memorial.
  • Howard Applegate joins faculty.
  • Dan Knorr TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

1975

  • All civil engineering classes are scattered over campus.
  • Danny Anderson TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

1976

  • All engineering moved into new Engineering-Science Complex.
  • Jack Smith named engineering dean.
  • David Womack TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

Engineering-Science Complex

1977

  • Tony Tarquin became first assistant dean of engineering.
  • Ron McPherson joins faculty from industry.
  • The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) civil engineering graduate Carlos M. Ramirez receives Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE). Ramirez served as El Paso's mayor from June 1997 to June 2001.
  • John Morrison TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient.

Carlos M. Ramirez

1978

  • Paul Hassler named acting Department of Civil Engineering (CE) Chairman.
  • Chi Epsilon Honor Society of civil engineering organized.
  • Robert Borunda TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient.

1979

  • Andrew Jones appointed CE chairman.
  • Paul Hassler named assistant engineering dean.
  • CE faculty totaled eleven instructors.
  • Braja Das and Vulli Gupta join faculty.
  • Garth Henderson takes disability retirement.
  • Ray Tena TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

1980

  • UTEP-New Mexico State University (NMSU) joint Associated General Contractors (AGC) chapter organized.
  • Robert Ortega TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).

 

1981

  • Professor Robert Coltharp deceased.
  • Ron McPherson leaves for New Mexico State University (NMSU).
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Navarro receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jaime Torres receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1982

  • Professor Vulli Gupta deceased.
  • Professor Andy Jones deceased.
  • Paul Hassler assumes Department of Civil Engineering (CE) chairmanship.
  • CE faculty totaled nine instructors.
  • Robert Grieves named engineering dean.
  • Hector Holguin, Jr., is honored as UTEP Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumni Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Tom Cardenas receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1983

  • Wayne Echelberger becomes CE chairman.
  • Paul Roschke and Steve Shelton join faculty.
  • CE faculty totaled 11 instructors.
  • MG (Ret.) James P. Maloney UTEP Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumni Award recipient.
  • Enrique “Kiki” Bustamante, civil engineering alumnus becomes president of UTEP’s Alumni Association.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Joe Cardenas receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1984

  • Civil engineering alumni William F. Quinn UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Endowment Fund established following the passing of former APO faculty sponsor with the probate of his estate revealing a number of U.S. savings bonds made payable to the no longer existent fraternity.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Luis Salcedo receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1985

  • Miguel Picornell joins faculty.
  • Steve Shelton leaves for the University of New Mexico.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Danny Anderson receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Henry Ng receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1986

  • Hector Fuentes joins faculty.
  • Phil Young retires.
  • Paul Roschke leaves for Texas A&M University.
  • Roberto Osegueda joins faculty, replacing Paul Roschke.

1987

  • Braja Das leaves.

1988

  • Soheil Nazarian joins faculty.
  • Phil Young deceased.
  • Harry Corbett retires as contact member after 40 years.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Ortega Jr., receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Moreno receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1989

  • Paul Hassler retires.
  • Wayne Echelberger leaves.
  • Tony Tarquin acting civil engineering chairman.
  • Carlos Ferregut joins faculty.
  • Robert Grieves steps down as dean of engineering.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Roberto F. Sambrano receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil Engineering alumna Rosalba Montes receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1990

  • Professor Herbert Bartel retires but continues to teach one or two courses per year.
  • Charles “Chuck” Turner joins the faculty and is named civil engineering chairman.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Ortega, Jr., becomes UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • APO Alumni Group founded.

 

1991

  • Commencing this year, the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Endowment Fund provides enough interest income to monetarily award three to four outstanding engineer and outstanding geology students annually. Over the following 28 years, this number would surmount to 90 awardees.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Steven Morgan receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Young Engineer of the Year Award.

Alpha Phi Omega

1992

  • Hector Fuentes leaves for Miami, Florida.

1993

  • John Walton joins the civil engineering faculty.

1994

  • Chuck Turner steps down as civil engineering chairman due to illness (August).
  • Miguel Picornell named civil engineering chairman (September).
  • Robert Grieves retires.
  • The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Heritage Commission created for the purpose of maintaining UTEP’s historical collections.
  • College of Engineering (COE) alumna Gabby Gandara (assistant dean, engineering support in the COE dean’s office) recipient of APO’s Outstanding Engineering Student Award.
  • Civil Engineering alumnus Ruben Ponce receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.

Heritage House

1995

  • Yvonne Santiago joins the civil engineering faculty.
  • Yvonne Santiago leaves for Puerto Rico (June).
  • Civil engineering alumnus Gerardo Licón receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award and is also selected as the state-wide TSPE Young Engineer of the Year.

1996

  • Paul Hassler deceased.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Humberto F. Sambrano UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jose F. Cardenas receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Enrique “Kiki” Bustamante becomes 1996-1997 UTEP Alumni Association board member.

1997

  • Wen-Whai Li joins the civil engineering faculty.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Carlos M. Ramirez served as mayor of El Paso, Texas until June 2001.
  • Civil engineering Robert “Bob” Navarro UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Ramon E. Lara receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Boyd receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1998

  • Professor Miguel Picornell leaves for North Carolina.
  • Carlos Ferregut named chairman of civil engineering.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Bernardo Olague receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

1999

  • Vivek Tandon joins the civil engineering faculty.
  • Professor David Rozendal retires.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Edward Drusina receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Ruben Chavez receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

2000

  • Cesar Carrasco joins the faculty.
  • The Civil Engineering Department faculty consists of the following: Chairman Dr. Carlos Ferregut, Dr. Suleiman Ashur, Dr. Roberto Osegueda, Dr. Cesar Carrasco, Dr. Vivek Tandon, Dr. Wen-Whai Li, Dr. Anthony Tarquin, Dr. Soheil Nazarian, Dr. Charles Turner, Dr. Hong-Sioe "HS" Oey, and Dr. John Walton.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Roman Bustillos receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • First alumni academy, Alumni Association of Civil Engineers (AACE), established at UTEP by former civil engineering graduates for special funding needs on behalf of the Civil Engineering Department.

 

2001

  • Professional Engineer Carlos M. Ramirez, civil engineering alumnus, and president of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), appointed to the U.S. International Boundary & Water Commission (USIBWC) by President George W. Bush.

2002

  • Civil engineering alumnus Henry Ng receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Engineer of the Year Award.

2004

  • Civil engineering alumna Linda Troncoso receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

2005

  • Roberto Osegueda is appointed vice president for UTEP Office of Research and Sponsored Projects.
  • Engineering alumna Irene D. Ramirez receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Engineering alumnus Ulises Estrada receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

2006

  • Ruey Kelvin Cheu joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Henry K. Ng UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Engineering alumnus Roberto Moreno receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Professional Engineer Carlos Marin and civil engineering alumnus designated by President George W. Bush to be the United States commissioner of the USIBWC for the United States and Mexico.

2007

  • Raed Aldouri joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Engineering alumnus Brian Klaes receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • 1976 3D Model of the Engineering-Science Complex donated to Heritage Commission by: Dr. Richard T. Schoephoerster dean, UTEP College of Engineering August 15, 2007.

2008

  • Civil engineering alumnus Carlos M. Ramirez deceased.
  • Engineering alumnus Carlos Simental receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jose Cardenas becomes 2008-2014 UTEP Alumni Association board member.
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) conferred, two Ph.D.C.E. bestowed.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Harsha E. Joesoef becomes UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.

2009

  • Cesar Carrasco becomes chair of the Department of Civil Engineering.
  • Austin Marshall joins the department to lead the Construction Engineering and Management Programs.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Oscar E. Venegas UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • To disaffiliate from Alpha Phi Omega (AOP) St. Patrick’s Day hazings, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was hereinafter referred to as TCM Day (Texas College of Mines).
  • Victor M. Mendez is honored as UTEP Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumni Award recipient.

TCM Day

2010

  • Shane Walker joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jose F. Cardenas UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Tomas Cardenas UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Edward “Ed” Drusina sworn in as United States commissioner of the USIBWC, appointed to the post by President Barack Obama.
  • Engineering alumnus Jose Rodarte receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award procedures were revised, designating the award year as being the actual calendar year.

 

2011

  • Posters and/or 3-D exhibits from Fort Bliss branch of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (College of Engineering) (COE) Construction and Utilities Infrastructure for the 1st Armored Division and its brigades following the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).
  • Civil engineering alumna Isabel Vasquez receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Francisco Campa receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert Gonzales becomes 2011-2019 University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Alumni Association board member.
  • Civil engineering alumna Isabel Vasquez becomes UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.

2012

  • Reza Ashtiani joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Dennis C.K. Poon UTEP Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumnus Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Frank Corral receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

2013

  • Ivan Avelar TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award recipient (civil).
  • Civil engineering alumna Yvonne C. Curry receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Ivan Avelar receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumna Irene Rico becomes UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.

2014

  • Adeeba Raheem joins the department as assistant professor to teach courses in the Construction Engineering and Management Programs.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Robert A. Gonzalez receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.

2015

  • Civil engineering alumnus Gustavo Sosa receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Bernardino Olague becomes 2015-2020 UTEP Alumni Association board member.

2016

  • Jeffrey Weidner joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jesus M. Rivera, Jr., receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.

2017

  • Outreach to the City of El Paso's Capital Improvement Department (CID) created.
  • Roberto “Bobby” Gonzalez, civil engineering alumnus becomes 2017-2018 president of UTEP’s Alumni Association.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Steven Morgan receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumna Alejandra Gallegos receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Miguel F. Aguilera becomes UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.

2018

  • Cesar Carrasco steps down as chair of the Department of Civil Engineering.
  • Carlos Ferregut appointed chair of the Department of Civil Engineering for the second term.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Fernando Rico receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jorge Martinez receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Peter Chan COE Gold Nugget Award recipient.

2019

  • 80th Anniversary of the Division of Engineering (COE).
  • Civil engineering alumnus Edward “Ed” Drusina UTEP College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award recipient.
  • Civil engineering alumna Elizabeth Reyes becomes 2019-2022 UTEP Alumni Association board member.
  • Civil engineering Professor Ivonne Santiago receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Sergio Mendez receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • UTEP-American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter takes a trip to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) International Boundary Marker No.1 site.

2020

  • Bernardino Olague, civil engineering alumnus is appointed president of UTEP’s Alumni Association.
  • Joanne Moyer joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Alex Meyer joins the department as professor.
  • Blanca Carrasco joins the department as program manager to support student success and strategic initiatives.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic forces all faculty and staff to work remotely. Classes are beginning to be taught online.
  • The Department of Civil Engineering reaches out to the Centennial Museum to coordinate an exhibit that would help celebrate the legacy of the UTEP civil engineering alumni in the Borderlands in celebration of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the approval of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree at Texas College of Mines (TCM).
  • The Department of Civil Engineering reaches out to several faculty and alumni members to support as committee members in the conceptualization of an exhibit showcasing the many accomplishments of UTEP civil engineering alumni in the El Paso del Norte Region in celebration of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the approval of the BSCE at TCM.
  • The traditional Study Abroad in Piura, Peru becomes the first and only online program at UTEP. Students from Peru and UTEP will engage in presentations and collaborative work via Zoom.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management applies for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) certification process.
  • Civil engineering Professor Kelvin Cheu joins list of top researchers in the world.
  • The Senior Banquet is being held online via Microsoft Teams as a celebration of resilience.

COVID working from home


 

2021

  • 75th Anniversary of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree being authorized by the UT Board of Regents.
  • The Study Abroad Program with the University of Piura in Peru is being taught for a second year via online.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Bernardino Olague becomes 2021-2022 University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Alumni Association president.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Jose “Pepe” De Alba becomes 2021-2022 UTEP Alumni Association board member.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Paul Sanchez becomes 2021-2022 UTEP Alumni Association board member.
  • The Master in Construction Engineering and Management online program is recognized among the 100 best programs in the country.
  • Ruimin Ke joins the department as assistant professor.
  • Civil engineering Professor Soheil Nazarian receives the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Daniel Carrera receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • The Department of Civil Engineering continues with the coordination of the exhibit entitled Building the Borderlands: The Legacy of UTEP Civil Engineering. The committee members are as follows: Fernando Rico, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) 1980, Edward Drusina, BSCE 1974, George Bradley Roe, BSCE 1964, William F. Quinn, BSCE 1954, Professors Carlos Ferregut, Anthony Tarquin, Yvonne Santiago, Henry Van, and Blanca Carrasco. Centennial Museum Team members: Director Daniel Carey-Whalen, Samantha Winer, Fayelee Overman, and Evan Lopez.
  • The Department of Civil Engineering reaches out to Dr. Jeffrey Weidner to present the idea of having students enrolled in Senior Design collaborate with students in the Department of Fine Arts, to propose ideas for a sculpture that would represent the exhibit. Dr. Angel Cabrales from the area of sculpture responds to the invitation alongside a group of students.
  • Students from the Senior Design class and Dr. Cabrales’ Sculpture class presented their maquettes to the committee. The winning project entitled: Celestial Gila created by civil engineering alumnus Vicente Romero, BSCE 1982, and current civil engineering student Omar Carrasco are the winners of the project. They will build the final product in time to be part of the exhibit in the 2022 Fall semester.
  • The Department of Civil Engineering commissions local artist Patrick Gabaldon with three art pieces that will depict some of the main projects being considered for the Legacy Exhibit and gets approval to utilize his piece entitled, “The Spaghetti Bowl” as a visual aid to promote the upcoming exhibit.

Study Abroad Program taught for a second year via online

2022

  • Dr. Anthony Tarquin retires after over 50 years of service to the department.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Gilbert Trejo receives the TSPE Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Isaac Rodriguez receives the TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • Civil engineering alumnus Daniel Carrera receives the state-wide TSPE Young Engineer of the Year Award.
  • The online Master of Science in Construction Management is ranked #5 nationwide.
  • Building the Borderlands: The Legacy of Civil Engineering exhibit opened on Saturday, September 24, 2022, and will close on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
  • William “Willie” F. Quinn is honored as UTEP Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumni Award recipient.

Construction Management ranked 5 nationwide

EVENTS

 

Events