CEF Celebrates the Class of 2023

On June 8, 2023, Chicago Engineers’ Foundation honored the high school and college students named as 2023 Incentive Award recipients.  At this year’s event, the Chicago Engineers’ Foundation leadership presented more than $100,000 in awards to Chicago students.

The Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event was Daniel Drew of T.Y.Lin International.  More than 140 guests including students, educators, engineering professionals, alumni, and friends attended the Award Celebration, held at the Union League Club of Chicago. Colonel Paul Culberson, the Commander and District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago and Fort Worth was the evening’s keynote speaker.

Colonel Culberson spoke about his path to engineering and the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  He also spoke about opportunities for both military and civilian professionals to support the important infrastructure projects the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees locally and across the country.  Colonel Culberson encouraged students to use what they learn in in their college studies to improve their communities and create a lasting legacy as engineering professionals.   At the conclusion of his remarks, Colonel Culberson was presented with a Chicago Engineers’ Foundation Community Partnership Award for his professional achievements and many years of dedicated service to the Chicago area.

The 2023 Award Celebration was generously sponsored by:

A highlight of the evening was remarks presented by four Incentive Award recipients.  Students were selected from each class, to share their career aspirations and inspirations, as well as ways they are helping to empower fellow students.  The Class of 2023 are Chicago students pursuing engineering careers. They are graduates from public, private, parochial, and charter high schools throughout the city. Many commuted across Chicago daily to attend their high schools, from neighborhoods on the south, west, and north sides, as well as many suburban towns.

More than 40% are the first generation in their family to attend college.  The average GPA among all of the recipients is 3.7.  Further despite pandemic challenges, among the high school recipients the average of their community service hours is 220!

Incentive Award recipients are studying many facets of engineering in college ranging from civil and mechanical to biomedical, aerospace, and computer science. They are attending some of the finest engineering schools in the country from local universities to programs nationwide.   Incentive Award recipients are in engineering classrooms across the country and represent some of the best of the next generation of engineers.

Incentive Awards are made possible by individuals, families, professional associations, and companies committing to fully fund awards for the recipients. Some sponsors support annual awards for different students each year, and others may follow specific students through 4 years of study. The sponsorship program grows each year, and Chicago Engineers’ Foundation is honored by every partnership. Many thanks to the 2023 Award Sponsors!

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!