I look forward to the summer holidays — the recently passed Juneteenth and the upcoming Independence Day — not only for the obvious day off, but also because of the community celebration of picnics, parades, and fireworks. The holidays remind me that I am part of something larger, a day celebrated collectively that evokes a sense of pride and a feeling of inclusion and belonging. I really like that feeling of being part of something shared, meaningful, and bigger than myself.
In a similar way, I hope that you feel a larger sense of belonging not only as a member of SEI, but as part of the broader practice of structural engineering. And not stopping there, as a member of ASCE, I hope that you also believe in your role in our shared profession of civil engineering — a profession collectively dedicated to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
As you read the newsletter, you will learn about how SEI benefits you and see how SEI membership connects you to the broader practice of structural engineering through jointly organized programs. I also hope that you see how SEI membership affords you unique opportunities to join committees, vote for your leadership, and participate in surveys and activities that influence SEI, ASCE, and the civil engineering profession.
I am truly grateful for your membership. I welcome you to celebrate structural engineering, both within and beyond SEI, in hopes that you experience that collective feeling of pride that comes from being a part of something larger — something that truly matters.