On April 24, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) hosted a banquet celebrating the end of the semester. The department awarded undergraduate student awards to exemplary students, recognizing their accomplishments in the Civil and Environmental Engineering field through coursework and extracurricular activities. It was an excellent opportunity to acknowledge our undergraduate students' hard work, and the event's highlight was celebrating everyone's achievements. We are thrilled to congratulate all the awardees on their well-deserved recognition!
Beavers Heavy Construction Scholarship
This scholarship, created by Richard E. Hall and the Beavers Charitable Trust in 1990, this scholarship recognizes juniors, seniors, or master's students who plan a professional career in the heavy construction industry.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present the Beavers Heavy Construction Scholarship to Everardo Solis-Correa, Miranda Majure, and Gabriela Espinoza Perez (left to right). (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Awardees:
Everardo Solis-Correa
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. I am originally from Gilroy, CA, about an hour and a half south of the Bay Area. I am passionate about engineering because of the opportunity to make a positive impact on my community. As a civil engineer, I hope to contribute to designing and constructing meaningful infrastructure projects within the Bay Area. As an undergraduate student, the CEE community has not only helped me find a home away from home but has helped me grow both as a student and a young adult. The enormous and continuous support from the department faculty and students has made my Berkeley experience truly one of a kind."
Miranda Majure
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley with a deep-rooted passion for building sustainable infrastructure, materials, and project management. Being far from home, I was worried I would be alone in my undergraduate studies. However, being a member of Chi Epsilon and the Concrete Canoe Competition Team has given me a home away from home."
Gabriela Espinoza Perez
"I'm a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley, graduating in May. One of my biggest commitments throughout my college career has been Cal Construction. I've been a part of the competition team since my freshman year and have seen the club grow exponentially. The CEE department has played a huge role in providing students with the opportunity to succeed and get involved within the engineering community. I can confidently say that without the help of the department and the administration, our CEE community wouldn't be as developed as it is now. It has always felt like a second family, and the effort for inclusion is definitely felt."
Chevron Environmental Engineering Scholarship
Chevron has donated generously to our undergraduates, awarding scholarships to junior/senior students who have demonstrated their interest in environmental engineering through coursework, outside activities, and essays.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present the Chevron Environmental Engineering Scholarship to Michael Yamaguchi, Emma Le Coz, and Carlo Chavez Bernas (left to right). (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Awardees:
Michael Yamaguchi
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. I have led ASCE's Joint Fundraising Committee in raising over $100,000 dollars for civil engineering competition teams. Next year, I will be the ASCE Vice President, and I am grateful for this opportunity to further connect with the community on campus. As the incoming ASC Sustainable Building Team Lead, I hope to educate peers on the intersections of sustainability and construction. This summer, I will be continuing my third internship with Walsh Construction under the estimating department."
Emma Le Coz
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. I grew up in France and moved to Houston, TX, at the age of 7 and then to Berkeley, CA, for college. I am passionate about my studies and interested in structural and environmental engineering. I am a member of the concrete canoe team and have found my community in CEE within that organization. The department has helped make Berkeley feel like a small school and a small community. I enjoy walking down the halls of Davis and recognizing the faces of my peers, and I have found lifelong friendships and connections within the CEE department.
Carlo Chavez Bernas
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. Being an immigrant from the Philippines brings a diverse background shaped by my experiences in a third-world country and my journey to the United States. I am passionate about addressing engineering gaps and aim to develop simple, cost-effective engineering solutions alongside my enthusiasm for infrastructure. The CEE department has been my long-standing aspiration to surpass expectations as a global leader in engineering education. With its exceptional faculty, robust resources, and supportive environment, the department fosters academic growth and professional development, providing unparalleled opportunities for students like me to excel and make a meaningful impact in their field."
A headshot of Chevron Environmental Engineering recipient Jordan Wolf (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Jordan Wolf
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student with a minor in City Planning at UC Berkeley. I am pursuing Civil Engineering because I have always been fascinated by large structures that make up our cities, such as buildings and bridges! The CEE department means a lot to me because it has helped me find community, both academically and socially, making it much easier to be so far away from home!"
Departmental Citation
The Departmental Citation in Civil and Environmental Engineering is an award recognizing undergraduate excellence in the field, as demonstrated by a high GPA and service to the department.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present Osvaldo Castillo with the Departmental Citation (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Osvaldo Castillo
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley, graduating in May. As a first-generation college student from Salinas, CA, my interest in structural engineering was sparked by observing construction in my community. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I delved into structural courses, which developed my passion for designing and analyzing earthquake-resistant systems. The CEE department has offered invaluable learning opportunities, such as those offered by the Steel Bridge community. Through this involvement, I've practiced my fabrication skills, which I aim to apply in designing resilient structures."
Charles G. Hyde Memorial Fund Fellowship
This endowment fellowship supports grants to aid the Engineering department at UC Berkeley. Grants are made to junior and senior undergraduate students in Civil Engineering with a demonstrated interest in environmental engineering, sustainability, and sound scholarship.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present Dylan Tay with the Charles G. Hyde Memorial Fund Fellowship. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Awardees:
Dylan Tay
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student with minors in data science and sustainable design at UC Berkeley. I have participated in research work on town-scale modeling of thermal comfort. I am also the co-project manager of Sustainable Solutions, an ASCE competition team working on envisioning and modeling sustainable built environment projects. The department award is a deeply pleasing recognition of some of the work my team has done and a reminder of the close-knit support, passion, and opportunities at Berkeley CEE that have enabled me to grow as a budding engineer and leader."
A headshot of Charles G. Hyde Memorial Fund Scholarship recipient Clara Rong.
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. I have both led and been deeply involved in the Cal Seismic Design Team and ASCE Philanthropy Committee in my years here and found community within these organizations. Next year, I plan to continue my journey at MIT, pursuing an M.Eng in Climate, Environment, and Sustainability, where I plan to deepen my knowledge and continue to work in advancing equity in environmental spaces. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, food, and books in my free time!"
Carl W. Johnson Student Leadership Award
This award is named in honor of Carl W. Johnson, a Civil Engineering alumnus who valued his experiences at Berkeley and believed his time on campus shaped his character and career. The award is given to recognize undergraduate students who lead competition teams or other student groups sponsored by the CEE department, helping foster personal growth and professional development, an inclusive and welcoming sense of community, and team spirit among students in the department.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present Robin Kim, Jared Bautista, Emanuel Arevalo Porras, and Ivan Yan (from left to right) with the Carl W. Johnson Student Leadership Award. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Awardees:
Robin Kim
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley with post-grad plans to join the construction industry as a VDC Engineer at Whiting-Turner General Contractor. I was particularly attracted to construction management and Virtual Design and Construction because I liked turning designs and ideas into reality. Coordinating with many different people, all specializing in different trades, towards a more complete project makes me appreciate the complexity of every structure I interact with. I grew especially interested in the technology that aids engineers in working through each complicated component."
Jared Bautista
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley, and I will be graduating in May. I am involved in several civil engineering organizations and teams within the department, and my multifaceted engagement reflects my exceptional problem-solving abilities and collaborative nature. I aspire to continue to be a problem-solver and team player, collaborating with fellow members and students to achieve common goals and drive positive change in the civil engineering field."
Emanuel Arevalo Porras
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley, and I'm from Inglewood, CA. As someone who loves the intersection between infrastructure and construction, I decided to pursue a career in civil engineering and learn about all types of projects in this field of engineering. At UC Berkeley, I'm part of Steel Bridge, a student competition club, as the Pre-fabrication chair. I supported my team in the designing and drafting phases of the project. I decided to join a competition club because the civil engineering community was welcoming and promoted a collaborative atmosphere. Now, taking my core classes in my major, I definitely enjoy how passionate the professors are in their engineering fields, which I truly feel inspired by. Lastly, I would like to thank the donors of this scholarship and all the support this means for my undergraduate studies. I feel very fortunate to be part of a great civil engineering community and collaborate with my peers in different classes and projects."
Ivan Yan
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student minoring in Data Science at UC Berkeley. I'm originally from Sacramento, CA, and am actively involved in the student community. I have served as President of the Cal American Society of Civil Engineers and Project Manager of the Cal Environmental Team. I am passionate about water treatment and plan to continue my graduate studies at Stanford University in the fall, where I will pursue an MS in Environmental Engineering to design carbon-negative, energy-positive water treatment systems."
The Theodore Olsen Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2010 to assist a deserving junior or senior-level student majoring in Civil Engineering.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present James Zou with The Theodore Olsen Scholarship. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
James Zou
"I am a second-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley. As a transfer student coming into a new world, the staff and faculty of the CEE department provided a great environment for me to integrate into the Berkeley community and to learn. Since becoming an Eagle Scout, my commitment to serving our communities led to pursuing Civil Engineering with an interest in infrastructure systems through structural and geotechnical application. This department continues to provide an effective and fun learning environment, continuously bringing in new and unique perspectives, and always supports the growth of us as individuals and leaders. Simply put, their energy, motivation, and commitment to excellence is second to none, and I am truly grateful to be part of this country's best Civil and Environmental Engineering program."
Tsuneo Sekine Fellowship
This award was established to honor junior or senior-level students in the CEE program.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present Elisa Woodham with the Tsuneo Sekine Fellowship. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Elisa Woodham
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley specializing in Structural Engineering! I am minoring in Sustainable Design and will also receive the Jacobs Institute Certificate in Design Innovation as well! I grew up in Boulder, CO, and have interned at a structural consulting firm there for a few summers. I also worked for a nonprofit in Oakland designing mass-producible tiny houses for the unhoused population and am currently conducting research with Professor Tracy Becker! I am super grateful to the CEE department for providing so many excellent resources and taking such good care of the competition teams, which is where I put the knowledge gained in classes to good use!
John C. Shimmick Scholarship
This scholarship was established in honor of John C. Shimmick, who received his B.S. in CEE in 1959, and as a student, he participated as a member of the Cal Bears football team. Generally, this scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior student who has a demonstrated emphasis on construction or project management, with consideration going to civil engineering students who are athletes.
Chair Joan Walker (far right) and CEE Professor Dimitrios Konstantinidis (far left) present Rachel Castro-Garcia with the John C. Shimmick Scholarship. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Awardees:
Rachel Castro-Garcia
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley and a first-generation Latina from Porterville, CA. I am deeply passionate about fostering inclusivity and innovation in my field, which is why I serve as the Co-lead at the Center for Access to Engineering Excellence (CAEE) and am an active member of Cal Concrete Canoe. Beyond academics, I dedicate time to mentoring incoming students with the Berkeley Mentorship Cohort and engaging in the Hispanic Scientist and Engineers (HES) club. I enjoy being a civil engineer at Cal because the CEE department has provided me with rigorous courses and a supportive community that has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally!"
Chair Joan Walker presents Nuri Capanoglu with the John C. Shimmick Scholarship. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Nuri Capanoglu
"I am a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley, graduating in May with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and Business Administration through the M.E.T. (Management, Entrepreneurship, Technology) program. With a focus on the intersection of engineering and business, I have held various internship positions, including project management, advisory consulting, and research. With my interest in solving big questions through innovation, Berkeley was the perfect place to explore the products and processes of the future. The CEE department was a critical part of my Berkeley experience, always helping and offering unique opportunities, like sponsoring his UROP research in Sustainable Aviation Fuels with industry leader Professor Mark Hansen. I will pursue an M.S. in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University in the fall.
Ulchi and Yoshiko Sunada Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior student who has demonstrated commitment in the UCB chapter of ASCE, Chi Epsilon, or another engineering student organization or team.
A headshot of Ulchi and Yoshiko Sunada Scholarship recipient Abigail Malakun. (Photo Credit: Erin Leigh Inama).
Abigail Malakun
"I am a third-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student at UC Berkeley with minors in public policy and energy and resources. I am passionately committed to tackling pressing environmental challenges, with a strong interest in climate mitigation and adaptation. My interests span the intersection of civil engineering, public policy, and social and climate justice — focusing on urgent issues like sustainable urban development, especially for historically marginalized communities, and the water-energy nexus."