Article By the Past President
By Chris Hofheins, SEAU Past President
Reflections on a Rewarding Time.
This spring my term on the SEAU Board will end. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve on the board. Serving on SEAU committees and on the board have been some of the best decisions of my professional career. Serving SEAU has given me opportunities to create and foster friendships with other members of our association. I am a bit of an introvert, so these settings push me out of my comfort zone and reward me with meaningful friendships.
When I first joined the board, I was excited about the opportunity to do my part in helping SEAU advance the structural engineering profession. Over the years, I’ve been continually impressed by the commitment of our members to excellence, innovation, and ethical practice. Whether through organizing educational seminars, or advocating for standards that ensure public safety, the collective passion within SEAU is inspiring.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my fellow board members past and present. Their dedication to SEAU has been instrumental in the success of our association. Serving SEAU alongside them has been an honor and a privilege. I also want to express my appreciation to the SEAU membership at large for your trust, support, and active participation.
I believe SEAU is poised for an even brighter future. While my time on the board is coming to an end, my commitment to our profession and this incredible association remains steadfast. I look forward to staying involved and supporting SEAU in new ways in the years ahead.
My invitation today goes out to SEAU members who currently have not volunteered to serve SEAU on a Committee or in other capacities. I am confident that if you choose to volunteer, your experience will be rewarding as you share meaningful moments with your fellow SEAU members. I look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming SEAU Conference!
Chris Hofheins
Past President, Structural Engineers Association of Utah
September 2024 SEAU Young Member Group Update
By Emily Williamson, YMG Committee Chair
As the new school year has started for the universities in the state, the SEAU YMG is looking forward to partnering with our student liaisons at each university to provide opportunities for the students to engage with the structural engineering community as well as opportunities for the young members of SEAU to learn both technical and soft skills required to be successful in structural engineering. We are planning a couple of events for the fall semester including a presentation on improving project management skills and a networking lunch for students to get connected with professionals in their county.
Looking forward to the spring semester, we plan to host a technical presentation to help provide further education for the young members that will be beneficial to them as they move forward in their careers. Additionally, we are hoping to provide opportunities to attend events partnered with other building industry young member groups to encourage the young members to continue to build their networks within the industry. We aim to provide fun and educational events throughout the year and are always open to suggestions if there is an event or presentation you want to see hosted by the SEAU Young Member Group.
SEAU Young Member Group Touring the North Capitol Project (Partnered Event with AIA)
If you are a current student or a practicing engineer with less than 6 years of experience, we encourage you to join the SEAU Young Member Group. To be a part of the mailing list, please e-mail us at [email protected] or visit our webpage at www.sites.google.com/view/seau-ymg. As a member of the Young Member Group, you will have the opportunity to expand your technical & practical knowledge through free educational events, expand your network by interacting with peers and gain valuable skills to help you excel and thrive.
Emily Williamson, PhD
SEAU Young Member Group Committee Chair
