OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE

Dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of civil/coastal & environmental engineering as ideal professions, Chi Epsilon was organized to recognize the characteristics of the individual deemed to be fundamental to the successful pursuit of an engineering career, and to aid in the development of those characteristics in the engineering students.

Engineering, the application of scientific principles to the practical needs of society, is assuming a constantly increasing responsibility for the well-being of all people, and thus calling for competence of the highest order. This responsibility can be discharged only by a professional group whose members are possessed of a good basic technical ability, intelligence, moral integrity, and effective social poise in their relationship with the larger community of which they are part. To contribute to the improvement of the profession, Chi Epsilon fosters the development and exercise of sound traits of character and technical ability among civil/coastal & environmental engineers, and its members, by precept and example, toward an ever higher standard of professional service.

Faculty Advisor: Dave Bloomquist, Ph.D., P.E.

WINNER OF THE 2006 JAMES M. ROBBINS EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

Dr. David Bloomquist, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Florida, has been selected to receive the James M. Robbins Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Bloomquist has been a member of the faculty/staff at the University of Florida for approximately 25 years. After serving 10 years in the construction industry, he returned to pursue graduate studies in Civil Engineering. He received the BS, ME and PhD, and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1989. In 2003 he was assigned as the Director, University Center for Excellence in Teaching, University of Florida. He specializes in the fields of Geotechnical/Materials/ GeoSensing Systems. In addition to all his academic accomplishments, he served as a Commercial Pilot from 1969-73.

This award is named in honor of Prof James M. Robbins, who was an outstanding teacher at NJIT and academic leader in civil engineering education. Robbins served as an outstanding leader in Chi Epsilon. Because of his 55 years of dedicated service to his students, his profession, and to his career at NJIT, his students initially created an Excellence in Teaching Award in his honor.

Prof Bloomquist is acknowledged by his peers and his students as a person that is totally committed to teaching and guiding students in their professional development. His students have acclaimed him as the best professor they have had while attending the University of Florida. He unselfishly involves himself throughout the learning process which goes beyond the typical classroom and encompasses many students outside the field of Civil Engineering. It is noted that Dave has served as a flight instructor, charter pilot, Air Ambulance pilot, and the U.S. Forest Service Fire Patrol.

Bloomquist