The University of South Carolina’s Chapter of

Chi Epsilon

“Scholarship, Character, Practicality, Sociability”

2007 Officers:

President: Megan Dove

Vice President: Lindsey Eddins

Secretary: Shawn Sweigart

Treasurer: Robert Drummond

Marshall: Daniel Upchurch

Editor: Christopher Waddell

Advisor:   Dr. Sarah Gassman (gassman@engr.sc.edu)

 2006-2007 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon would like to announce that fourteen new members were inducted on January 28, 2007. These new members are: Ta-Wei David Chao, Hao-Ming Chen, Megan Elizabeth Dove, Robert Lee Drummond, Lindsey Rae Eddins, David Ward Harris, Keith Michael Hernandez, Creighton Thomas Inabinett, Justin Keith Inman, Matthew Thomas Minor, Shawn Paul Sweigart, Kimberly Michelle Swygert, Daniel Philip Upchurch, Christopher Samuel Waddell. The newly elected officers for the 2007 academic year are: Megan Elizabeth Dove – President; Lindsey Rae Eddins – Vice-President; Shawn Paul Sweigart – Secretary; Robert Lee Drummond – Treasurer; Daniel Philip Upchurch – Marshall; and Christopher Samuel Waddell – Editor. The outgoing officers that served during the 2006 academic year were: Ashley Carynn Smith – President; Robert Matthew Freeman – Vice-President; Jeffrey Ryan Barwick – Secretary; and Eric Thomas Fox – Treasurer.

 2005-2006 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon would like to announce that seven new members were inducted on January 26, 2006. These new members are: Jeffrey Ryan Barwick, Carl Everett Betterton (from Old Dominion University), Eric Thomas Fox, Robert Matthew Freeman, Alvin Talbot Henderson, William Michael Roney and Ashley Carynn Smith. The newly elected officers for the 2006 academic year are: Ashley Carynn Smith – President; Robert Matthew Freeman – Vice-President; Jeffrey Ryan Barwick – Secretary; and Eric Thomas Fox – Treasurer. The outgoing officers that served during the 2005 academic year were: Tyler Goff – President; Nicholas Redmond – Vice-President; Amanda Hawkins – Secretary; Phillip Grainger – Treasurer; Hannah Berry – Editor; and Paul Edwards - Marshall.

The University of South Carolina Chapter of Chi Epsilon has been involved in many activities during the Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 semesters. We have worked closely with the university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers focusing on activities related to the 2006 Carolinas Conference hosted by the Citadel in Charleston, SC. In addition, we have had several socials where we met with various professionals from civil engineering firms who contributed to our understanding of the opportunities available to us through our studies and upon graduation. We also attended the ASCE Midlands Branch meetings.

Several members of the university’s chapter of Chi Epsilon participated in the planning of and competed in the ASCE Carolinas Conference at the Citadel in Spring 2006. These members attended regular meetings in preparation for the events of the conference. Chi Epsilon members who attended the conference include: Hannah Berry, Robert Freeman, Alvin “Tab” Henderson, and Nicholas Redmond. Other Chi Epsilon members who are also student members of ASCE are Jeffrey Barwick, Tyler Goff, Amanda Hawkins, and Paul Edwards. Through their commitment, the university’s chapter of ASCE won honorable mention at the conference.

The university’s Chi Epsilon chapter has sought to promote academic excellence and integrity by serving our campus and community. Furthermore, we will continue to foster the advancement of the field of civil engineering by our efforts in the future.

2004-2005 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon would like to announce that seventeen new members were inducted on December 1, 2004. These new members are: Hannah Berry, Keith Coogler, Charlie Deep, Theodore Deligiannidis, Paul Edwards, John Flowers, Tyler Goff, Phillip Grainger, Richard Gregory, Amanda Hawkins, Nicholas Redmond, Ty Stokes, Keith Utheim, Jonathan Vanho, Justin Waring, and Lorenzo Worthy. The following faculty members were inducted: Dr. Liv Haselbach and Dr. Paul Ziehl. The newly elected officers for the 2005 academic year are: Tyler Goff – President; Nicholas Redmond – Vice-President; Amanda Hawkins – Secretary; Phillip Grainger – Treasurer; Hannah Berry – Editor; and Paul Edwards - Marshall. The outgoing officers that served during the 2004 academic year were: Steve Hall – President; William Rogan – Vice President, Stephen Ross – Treasurer and Shanna Neill – Editor.

Chi Epsilon has been involved with many activities during the Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 semesters. We have worked closely with the university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Alongside ASCE, we have had several socials where various professionals from the field of civil engineering spoke of their experiences and helped us gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to us. We also attended the ASCE Midlands Branch meetings.

The 2005 ASCE Carolinas Conference was hosted by our ASCE chapter. The members of Chi Epsilon contributed greatly to the success of the conference by attending weekly organizational meetings and taking lead roles in the conference. Theodore Deligiannidis was the event coordinator of the steel bridge competition, and Keith Coogler led our design team for the steel bridge. Ty Stokes was the event coordinator for the water fountain fun competition, and Shanna Neill was the event coordinator of the quiz bowl competition. Hannah Berry, our Editor, was the social chair for the conference. Our president, Tyler Goff, led the design team for the balsawood building competition. Nicholas Redmond was a member of our quiz bowl team, which won first place. Shanna Neill and Amanda Hawkins paddled in the women’s endurance and sprint canoe races. All other members helped out with the events and supported our teams. Our university was recognized as the third place overall winner of the conference.

A graduate school seminar was hosted by the Chi Epsilon and ASCE chapters for all civil engineering students to encourage further study in civil engineering, present the benefits of a graduate degree, and answer any questions students may have had about an engineering master’s program. We have also continued introducing middle school students to the field of engineering by taking them to local consulting firms, water treatment plants, and quarries. We have made ourselves available to students for help and/or guidance, and we plan to continue in our efforts to make a difference on our campus and in our community.

2003-2004 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon would like to announce that eight new members were inducted on December 1, 2003. These new members are: Jeffrey Garcia, Steven James Hall, Michael Livingston Hood, Jarred Richard Jones, Shanna Mae Neill, Walter William Rogan, Jr., Stephen Henry Ross, and Robert Ernest Wicker. The newly elected officers for the 2004 academic year are: Steven J. Hall – President; W. William Rogan, Jr. – Vice-President; Stephen H. Ross – Treasurer; and Shanna M. Neill – Editor. The outgoing officers that served during the 2003 academic year were: Clayon Hodges McCathern – President; and Thomas Christopher McCurry – Treasurer.

During Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 Chi Epsilon has been involved with many activities alongside the university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineering. We helped expose middle school students that were strong in science and math to the field of engineering by taking them to local consulting firms, water treatment plants, and quarries.

Several of our members attended the 2004 ASCE Carolinas Conference at Clemson University from April 1-4, 2004. Our members represented the University of South Carolina well with good sportsmanship and competitive spirits. Our chapter placed first in T-shirt Design, second in Freshmore Challenge, and third in the Environmental competition. These along with other placements put us in Fifth Place Overall.

We also continue to interact with various professionals from the field of civil engineering in order to gain a better understanding of what opportunities are available. We accomplish this by inviting engineers throughout Columbia and the state to speak about their experiences in the field and also by attending the ASCE Midlands Branch meetings.

2002-2003 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon is proud to announce that five new members were inducted on November 21, 2002. These new members are: Katherine Anne Gravitte, Thomas Patrick Knight, Clayon Hodges McCathern, Thomas Christopher McCurry, and Rucker Jackson Williams. The newly elected officers for the 2003 academic year are: Clayon H. McCathern-President; and T. Christopher McCurry-Treasurer. The outgoing officers that served during the 2002 academic year were: J. Preston Felkel-President; David H. Parler-Vice President; Daniel A. Proctor-Secretary; Emilia M. Kolesinska-Treasurer; Christopher G. Williamson-Editor; and David S. McNeice-Marshal.

The Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 semesters have been very busy for Chi Epsilon members. Our chapter has been jointly involved in many projects with our university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Two fund raisers during the past year included a softball tournament in the fall, and a golf tournament in the spring, both with strong turnouts.

During April 3 to 6, 2003 our chapter participated in the ASCE Carolinas Conference that was held at North Carolina State University. Members participated in numerous events at the conference and represented our University well by displaying a competitive spirit along with good sportsmanship. Our Chapter brought home First Place finishes in the Geotechnical and Technical Paper Competitions, Third Place Overall and four other awards.

Our Chapter is constantly striving to provide opportunities for members to communicate and interact with various professional engineers in the Columbia area by inviting guest speakers from local industry and firms to speak at our meetings. We also interacted with the local Young Members Chapter of ASCE through a social at Jillian’s.

2001-2002 Chapter Activities:

The University of South Carolina chapter of Chi Epsilon is proud to announce that fourteen new members were inducted on November 29, 2001. These new members are: Jon-Michael Burbage, Eva M. Daniel, J. Preston Felkel, Michael D. Harris, Willie G. Huggins III, Emilia M. Kolesinska, Henry A. Lovett, Donny R. Matthews II, David S. McNeice, David H. Parler, Daniel A. Proctor, Joshua B. Quattlebaum, Todd W. Whisenhunt, and Christopher G. Williamson. The newly elected officers for the 2002 academic year are: J. Preston Felkel-President; David H. Parler-Vice President; Daniel A. Proctor-Secretary; Emilia M. Kolesinska-Treasurer; Christopher G. Williamson-Editor; and David S. McNeice-Marshal. The outgoing officers that served during the 2001 academic year were: Edward H. Stehmeyer III-President; Shawn R. Loew-Vice President; Mamie F. Thomas-Secretary; Meghan E. Ramsey-Treasurer; Melissa L. Campbell-Associate Editor; and Andrew E. Cook-Marshal.

                The Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 semesters have been very busy for Chi Epsilon members.  Our chapter has been jointly involved in many projects with our university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.  During April 4 to 7, 2002 our chapter participated in the ASCE Carolinas Conference which was held at Duke University.  Members participated in numerous events at the conference and represented our University well by displaying a competitive spirit along with good sportsmanship. 

                In March of 2002, our chapter secretary, Daniel Proctor, traveled to the University of Maryland and represented our chapter at the Chi Epsilon National Conclave.  Daniel was a member of the budget committee where he participated in discussions outlining Chi Epsilon’s budget plans for the next two years.  The primary action that this committee passed was to increase the amount of scholarships available and to revise the transportation reimbursement system.

Our chapter is constantly striving to provide opportunities for members to communicate and interact with various professional engineers in the Columbia area by inviting guest speakers from local industry and firms to speak at our meetings.  We have also organized several informative tours of local construction projects including our new basketball arena in which our beloved Fighting Gamecocks will begin playing in this Fall.