Supporting the Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering department at George Mason
CEI Mission Vision and Objectives
The Civil Engineering Institute is an industry advisory group formed in 1989, composed of local leaders in engineering involved in the design, construction, and management of civil infrastructure whose purpose is to assist the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering (CEIE) program of George Mason University, herein referred to as “George Mason.” Objectives include:
- advising on curricula changes to keep the program on the leading edge of professional practice;
- providing liaison with the business community for teaching and advising;
- assisting in internship placement for students;
- assisting in finding employment for graduates and alumni;
- assisting in securing nationally-recognized faculty by raising Eminent Scholars’ endowments;
- supporting the Department’s student recruiting efforts;
- implementing an awards program to honor engineering excellence and leadership within the civil engineering community;
- supporting the Department in a continuing education program for practicing engineers within the community; and
- fundraising for scholarships, student activity support, and academic program assistance to supplement that provided by the university.
CEI Committees
- Membership
- Alumni
- Internships, Scholarships, and Fellowships
- Curriculum and Programs
- Bylaws, Nominating, and Awards Committee
Scholarship Opportunities for Students
The Civil Engineering Institute Scholarship is from the department’s industry advisory group. It provides financial assistance for full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree in civil and infrastructure engineering while increasing students’ ability to participate in learning experiences through student organizations.
More scholarships to come! Connect with your advisor to discuss your different scholarship opportunities.
Internship Opportunities for Students
Please visit Handshake for the most up-to-date list of internship opportunities.
Engineering Excellence and Leadership Award
In recognition of Exceptional Leadership, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement, and Significant Contribution to the Profession of Civil Engineering.
2024 Engineering Excellence and Leadership Awardee – Michael Rolband
Mr. Rolband started his career in the construction and development world, founding a real estate development company in 1988 and Wetland Studies and Solutions (WSSI), Inc. in 1991. In 2007, he established the nonprofit Wetland Research Initiative to fund applied research in wetlands creation, restoration, and enhancement activities. After leading WSSI for 30 years, in 2022, Mr. Rolband was appointed by Governor Youngkin to be Director of Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Past Winners
- 2006 - Lieutenant General Carl Strock, Chief of Engineers, US Army (Ret.)
- 2007 – Dr. Patricia D. Galloway, President of ASCE (Ret.)
- 2008 – Hon. Thomas Rust, Virginia Delegate and Chairman of Patton, Harris, Rust, and Associates
- 2009 – Mr. Sidney O. Dewberry, Founder, and Chairman of the Dewberry Companies
- 2010 – Lieutenant General Henry J. Hatch, Chief of Engineers, US Army, (Ret.)
- 2011 – Dr. Joseph Hartman, Bridge and Tunnel Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration
- 2012 – Mr. Milton V. Peterson, Founder, and Chairman of The Peterson Companies
- 2013 – Sean T. Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia
- 2014 – Mr. John T. (Til) Hazel, Jr., Reed Smith Hazel and Thomas (Ret.)
- 2016 – Mr. Bob Chase, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance
- 2016 – Dr. Wayne Clough, P.E., HON.M.ASCE., N.A.E, Secretary Emeritus, The Smithsonian Institution
- 2017 – Stephen T. Ayers, AFIA, CCM, LEED AP, the Architect of the Capitol
- 2018 – Dr. Gerald E. Galloway, P.E., Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, University of Maryland, and Faculty Fellow of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study Texas A&M University
- 2019 – James Patteson, P.E., Manager, County wide Strategic planning at Fairfax County Government
- 2020 – Paul Weidefeld, P.E., General Manager and CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
