STUDENT LIFE I INTERNATIONAL I SOCIAL CLUBS I ACADEMICS I PEOPLE I LEADERSHIP I ATHLETICS I ORGANIZATIONS A CIVIL SOLUTION A new major in the engineering department laid the blueprint for a bright and successful future for students. Anew addition came to the engineering department at Harding: professors Joseph Parker and Alan Hewett were hired to assist in the new civil engineering major. Along with the new faculty, 10 new classes were added. Parker said chat there were opportunities for students to experience civil engineering outside of the classroom. "Boch Professor Hewett and I are working toward establishing curriculum for the necessary classes of the degree," Parker said. Parker and Hewett also had goals of gaining space and equipment for labs specific to civil engineering courses and launching a student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. "This will provide our program with opportunities for career building skills, real-world exposure and to participate in competitions like 'The Steel Bridge' and 'Concrete Canoe Race,"' Parker said. "Boch of the competitions allow the students to design, build and compete these items at a large conference against ocher regional colleges for a chance to achieve entry in the national competitions." In addition to assisting the public, civil engineers had constant opportunities to use their profession for Christ. The engineering faculty hoped to help students realize all the ways they could use their faith in this position of public service, while also being able to help improve their society. "Civil engineers at their core must be servants to the public at large," Parker said. "They specialize in crafting products and environments that facilitate, progress and protect people all over the world. In this capacity, a true person of faith cannot separate chat servanthood mentality from their duties as a civil engineer." Chair of the Department of Engineering and Physics and Director of the Electrical Engineering Program Dr. Zane Gastineau also spoke on the parallels between civil engineering and mission-based works. "Because of what civil engineers do, there's a real tie to the mission field," Gastineau said. "You start looking to third-world countries where there may be no electricity, running water, sewer systems or even homes. Providing all of that type of infrastructure seems to fit really well into the Harding mission." Junior Stephen Crowson said the Christian aspect of the civil engineering program was a source of motivation for his decision to change his major from mechanical engineering to civil engineering. "When civil engineering was offered, my eyes lie up in excitement..." Crowson said. "With engineering, I hope to learn to build for God's Kingdom. My hands are His; what He wishes to do with them is not up to me." Gastineau stated that one of the driving factors for creating this major was the amount of questions admissions faculty received regarding a civil engineering degree at Harding. A civil engineering major was made available for students in fall 2017 and would not be accredited until the 2020-21 school year. story by Macy McClung 104
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