UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— Jennifer Kearney, a senior in civil engineering at Penn State, was named the national representative for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in DiscoverE’s fourth annual New Faces of Engineering—College Edition.
Sponsored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, College Edition recognizes students in the third, fourth and fifth years of their undergraduate engineering degree.
Kearney, who will receive a $500 scholarship, said she hopes to use the award as an opportunity to make a greater impact.
DiscoverE looks for students who exemplify the vision, innovation and leadership skills that form the foundational elements of a successful engineering career.
Kearney is one of 12 representatives from student organizations across the country who were honored by DiscoverE. The students participate in a diverse range of projects and initiatives, including non-engineering related community service, and demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
Kearney started the Penn State student chapter of Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) – a nonprofit organization that builds pedestrian bridges in developing countries to provide isolated communities access to basic needs. Her B2P chapter constructed a 250-foot suspended pedestrian bridge in Panama that connected the people of Caimital to Penonomé. This provided Caimital residents with much needed access to markets, higher education and doctors.
Kearney also worked on redesigning a chlorine injector to purify water. Her team’s design is now being replicated and distributed by the Moroccan government throughout the country.
In addition to her involvement in ASCE and B2P, Kearney is also involved with Engineers Without Borders-USA, the Society of Women Engineers, the American Concrete Institute, the American Institute of Steel Construction, Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon.
“I am truly honored to be named a New Face of Engineering,” Kearney said. “I had no idea what engineering was before I started high school, and through the help and support of many teachers, professors, mentors, professionals, and my family and friends, I have been able to not only survive the engineering curriculum but also use my skills to make a difference in the world.”
Upon graduation, Kearney will join Thornton Tomasetti in Washington D.C. as a structural engineer.