Local Engineer Named New Face of Civil Engineering
S. Harris Ltd. Engineer Receives Honor from National Civil Engineering Society
Reston, Va.—Taking something old and making it new is how Melanie Kasper, P.E., improves infrastructure with construction and design experience. In recognition of her accomplishments, this 29-year-old was recently named a New Face of Civil Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). An integral part of ASCE’s 2009 National Engineers’ Week (Feb. 15-21), the program promotes the achievements of young civil engineers by highlighting their contributions and impact on society.
In her current position at S. Harris Ltd., Kasper manages building restoration projects in Asbury Park, N.J. She has experience creating structural analysis and stabilization plans for various building projects, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of her many projects include analyzing and designing structural reinforcement for the Lewis Store—the oldest retailer in the nation. The steel system she designed helped to increase the store’s load capacity. In her previous position at Urban Engineers, Inc., Kasper contributed to the success of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Lighting Improvements Project, which received the Project of the Year award from the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), Delaware Valley Section.
In addition to her technical work at S. Harris and Co., Kasper competes in triathlons. So far, she has participated in eight races in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Kasper earned her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her master’s degree in civil engineering from Drexel University. She is a resident of Philadelphia.
ASCE’s top five New Faces of Civil Engineering were also submitted to the national New Faces of Engineering program run by the Engineers Week Foundation. This program includes representatives from the civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial and manufacturing engineering professions. Selected New Faces profiles, including the top civil engineer chosen by the Engineers Week Foundation, will be featured in a USA Today ad during Engineers Week and will be profiled on the National Engineers Week Web site at www.eweek.org, as well as at www.discoverengineering.org.
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 146,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
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