Krissy Govertsen '18 of Valatie, N.Y., knew she wanted to be a civil engineer ever since she was in high school.
When Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass., underwent renovations, she watched the campus transform, as an old building was torn down and a new, more sustainable building was constructed in its place. Architects shared with the students how and why they chose their materials.
"I thought it was so creative how they took inspiration from the old building, applied it to the new building, and made it sustainable," Govertsen said. "I knew that's what I wanted to do."
Govertsen then enrolled in The Clarkson School, Clarkson's early college entrance program, and she is now a junior in the Honors Program studying civil engineering.
The American Society of Civil Engineers named Govertsen one of their scholars for 2016, and she received the Lawrence W. and Francis W. Cox Scholarship. ASCE provides tuition assistance to outstanding ASCE members at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Govertsen joined ASCE last year and serves as the human resources chair for the professional organization's chapter at Clarkson. She works to organize professional experiences and trips to expose students to various engineering projects.
Earlier this semester, students visited the Aquatarium in Brockville, Ontario, to observe how water resources engineering is used to pump water and how the building uses structural supports as decorations within exhibits. She said field trips like this give students opportunities to see how their class lessons are applied in the real world.
Govertsen is working with Clarkson's Shipley Center for Innovation to develop a business, and she plans to focus her Clarkson Honors Program thesis on sustainable building systems. She aims to eventually earn a master's degree either in architecture or sustainable construction.
"I think it's really important for students to join honors societies and professional organizations while in college, because several scholarships are available, the professional network is great and students are eligible for graduate school fellowships," Govertsen said. "It's rewarding to be a part of something like that, and I hope more students see the benefit of joining."
