Presidents and Engineers
The theme for the monthly message in February is focused in on two key terms: “Presidents” and “Engineers.” Let’s start with Engineers.
February is a chance for us engineers to do something we don’t normally like to do, recognize our profession, ourselves and our accomplishments. February 16th – 22nd is National Engineer’s Week. It is our chance to call attention to the contributions that engineers make on our society. It is also a chance to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math skills for future generations.
National Engineers Week was first celebrated in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Today, National Engineers Week is observed by more than 70 engineering and educational societies. This year’s theme for National Engineers Week is “Pioneers of Progress.” Most people won’t associate engineers as pioneers; however, engineers have been using our knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills to cross new frontiers for hundreds of years.
Now for the “President” part. Obviously, the Presidential primaries and impeachment hearings are dominating the headlines, but I will not wade into those waters. Did you know that National Engineers Week was
founded to coincide with President George Washington’s birthday of February 22nd?
February is also the time of year we honor the past Presidents of the ACEC Sierra Chapter. It is a chance for us to recognize the contributions of all of those that came before us that dedicated countless hours and energy to better our organization, community and profession. It is always a well-attended event, and it is a chance to mingle with some of the titans of the local engineering industry.
As if that weren’t enough presidential talk, our guest speaker at the February Chapter meeting will be none other than the ACEC State President, Mr. Gary Antonucci. Gary will provide us with great depth and insight into the challenges our industry is facing, and the priorities our organization will be tackling in the upcoming year. Please take the opportunity to attend this event, you will surely benefit.
Now let’s tie the two terms together. While several of our United States Presidents were educated with science and engineering backgrounds, Herbert Hoover was the only U.S. President who was a practicing engineer. Herbert Hoover graduated from Stanford University with a degree in geology. Prior to serving as the 31st President of the United states (1929-1933), Herbert Hoover interned with the United States Geological Survey, then went on to work as a mining engineer across the globe, including in Australia and China. Herbert Hoover entered politics in 1917 when President Woodrow Wilson appointed Hoover as the head of the U.S. Food Administration.
To bring it back around to the “Engineers,” one of the great campaigns occurring this year as a part of National Engineers Week occurs on February 20th: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. It is a world-wide campaign to engage girls in engineering and educate girls in about how engineers change our world. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has found that from 2011 to 2016, the number of women graduating with engineering degrees has increased by 54%. However, women still only make-up 21% of the total number of engineering graduates. While the increase is encouraging, there is still work to do. After all, it’s only a matter of time before a woman will be running our country… and hopefully she’s an engineer.
