The Philadelphia Section is pleased to conduct our annual Section Awards program. These Awards recognize local members for their contributions to the Civil Engineering profession. If you wish to nominate someone, please read these rules and criteria and then complete the Google nomination form.
All Awards will be presented at our Annual Spring Social. Upcoming editions of THE NEWS, e-blasts, and our Section’s website will have more detailed information on this year's Social.
Award Rules
- Nominations must be received by 5 PM on Friday, February 27th, 2026.
- Individuals may be nominated for awards by a member of ASCE in any grade of membership.
- Individuals may receive only one award in a single year, but may be nominated for more than one award in a single year.
- Award recipients must be approved by the Section's Board of Directors.
- All awards are presented only in years in which, in the judgement of the Awards Committee or the Board, there is at least one suitable candidate.
- The Awards Committee may nominate an alternate for each Award for Board consideration.
- The Awards Committee will also recommend to the Board whether the recipient should be nominated for applicable National or Regional awards by the Section.
- Please see the specific requirements for ASCE membership for each award synopsis. Most awards will require that the nominee be a member of ASCE and the Philadelphia Section. In several cases, specific grades of membership are also required.
For more information, or if you have any questions on this, please contact:
Joe Natale
Awards Committee Chair
215-847-7624, [email protected]
Award Details
Philadelphia Civil Engineer of the Year
The Section's highest award is presented to an individual who is judged to have contributed significantly and substantially to the civil engineering profession.
Membership criteria - Member, Fellow, Honorary or Life.
The recipient can also be considered for other recognition, such as Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award (ASCE National) and Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year (Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Engineers Week Committee).
The nominee should typically be at a department head, senior project manager, chief engineer or similar high level of responsibility with 15-20 years of experience minimum to be considered for this award. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Similar professional certifications (PMP) can be considered in place of a PE on an individual basis.
Philadelphia Young Civil Engineer of the Year
This award is presented to a young civil engineer (age 35 or younger as of the date of nomination) who is judged to have contributed significantly to the civil engineering profession.
Membership criteria - Member.
The recipient can also be considered for Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award (ASCE National) and Delaware Valley Young Engineer of the Year (Delaware Valley Engineers Week Council).
The nominee should typically be at a project engineer level of responsibility. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Individuals in the application process for the PE exam or awaiting results can be considered. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification is required. Candidates on track for this certification can be considered on an individual basis.
Philadelphia Government Engineer of the Year
This award is presented to an individual who is employed by government at the Federal, State or Local level, or a public authority, and who has contributed substantially to the civil engineering profession.
Membership criteria - Member, Fellow, Honorary or Life.
The recipient can also be considered for ASCE National Region 2 Government Engineer of the Year and Civil Government Award.
The nominee should typically be at a department head, senior project manager, chief engineer or similar high level of responsibility with 15-20 years of experience minimum to be considered for this award. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Similar professional certifications (PMP) can be considered in place of a PE on an individual basis.
Philadelphia Young Government Engineer of the Year
This award is presented to a young member (age 35 or younger as of the date of nomination) who is employed by government at the Federal, State or Local level, or a public authority, and who has contributed significantly to the civil engineering profession.
Membership criteria - Member.
The recipient can also be considered for ASCE National Region 2 Young Government Engineer of the Year and Eastern Region Younger Member Council (ERYMC) awards.
The nominee should typically be at a project engineer level of responsibility. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification is required. Candidates on track for this certification can be considered on an individual basis.
Educator of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding educator in the field of civil engineering who has contributed substantially to the field.
Membership criteria – the nominee need NOT be a member of the Philadelphia Section or ASCE but must be an educator or teacher in an educational institution or school within the geographic coverage area of the Section.
The nominee should typically be a faculty member or adjunct faculty in an ABET-accredited civil engineering or related (general engineering) program with 10 years of experience minimum to be considered for this award.
Community Outreach and Service Award
This award is presented to cite notable and exemplary service in community contacts and outreach efforts, such as work with students at all levels and public contact on issues which help to explain the roles of engineers in everyday life.
Membership criteria - any grade of ASCE membership.
Government Service Award
This award is presented to an elected or appointed official of government at the Federal, State or Local level, or a public authority, who has contributed substantially to the status of the civil engineering profession through his/her public service.
Membership criteria - the nominee need NOT be a member of the Philadelphia Section or a member of ASCE, but MUST be a public official or hold an appointed agency position in a jurisdiction within the boundaries of the Philadelphia Section.
Philadelphia History and Heritage Award
This award is presented to an individual whose efforts have made significant contributions to better the knowledge and/or appreciation of the history and heritage of the civil engineering profession.
Membership criteria - the nominee need NOT be a member of the Philadelphia Section or a member of ASCE, but MUST reside within the boundaries of the Philadelphia Section.
The recipient can also be considered for ASCE National Civil Engineering History and Heritage Award.
Individual Technical Awards
Each of the following awards is presented to an individual who is judged to have contributed substantially to the civil engineering profession in the specialty area of the particular award:
Civil Engineering Manager of the Year
Construction Engineer of the Year
Geotechnical Engineer of the Year
Structural Engineer of the Year
Transportation Engineer of the Year
Water Resources Engineer of the Year
Membership criteria - Member, Fellow or Life preferred; Affiliate will be considered with additional justification offered for this in the nomination package.
The recipient can also be considered for ASCE National technical group awards.
The nominee for the Technical Award should typically be at a section/division lead, project manager, senior/supervisory engineer or similar level of responsibility with 10-15 years of experience minimum and with significant project direction/contributions to be considered for these awards. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred. Similar professional certifications (PMP) and ASCE Institute or similar specialty certifications/recognitions can be considered in place of a PE on an individual basis.
Project of the Year
We are additionally offering a Project of the Year award/competition. This is intended to recognize a Philadelphia Section member and their project team who have served in a major role on an innovative, challenging, unique, and/or complex project located in the geographic boundaries of the Section (the five county Philadelphia area).
Membership criteria - Member, Fellow, Honorary or Life. At least one member of the core project team must meet this criteria.
Projects will be judged on:
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