MAY 6, 2026

     SPRING 2026 EVENTS ROUNDUP

2026 Emerging Leader Lecture 

February 3, 2026

CEGSAC hosted the 2026 Emerging Leader Lecture featuring Mayren Mata, who shared valuable insights from her professional journey. The session inspired students with perspectives on leadership, career growth, and success in the structural engineering field. Attendees gained practical advice and real-world knowledge from the speaker’s experiences. The lecture provided meaningful motivation for students as they plan their future careers. The interactive nature of the session allowed students to engage directly, ask questions, and gain deeper clarity on industry expectations. Overall, the event served as an inspiring platform to connect academic learning with professional practice.

 STUDENTS WELLNESS & SUPPORT

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    DISTINGUISHED LECTURER INTERVIEW

Raymond Paul Giroux Dist.M.ASCE,NAC

In this interview, we speak with Raymond Paul Giroux, former industry professional and Purdue faculty member, about his journey in heavy civil construction and megaprojects, lessons learned from decades of experience, and the qualities required to lead large-scale infrastructure projects. The conversation explored topics ranging from construction safety and leadership to constructability, innovation, and the future of megaproject delivery.

Career Inspiration and Early Influences

• What inspired your interest in heavy civil construction and mega projects?

My dad worked for Kiewit Construction, and some of my earliest memories were being on project sites with him during weekends. During my formative years, watching those projects fascinated me. I enjoyed woodworking, welding, and understanding how different parts came together to form structures. I always liked the idea of taking pieces and building something meaningful out of them, and that naturally led me toward heavy civil construction.

• Was there a defining experience that shaped your engineering philosophy?

Early in my career as a field engineer, I realized how important it is to treat craftspeople with respect. Leadership is not about control it’s about motivating and inspiring the people around you. Throughout your journey, there is constant technical development, and you learn a lot through failure. At the same time, you have to stay grounded in your ethics. My natural leadership style became servant leadership. I learned that it’s important to stay true to who you are because engineering is a long journey of growth and learning.

Education and Professional Growth

• What motivated your transition from industry to teaching at Purdue?

In practice, I genuinely enjoyed what I did almost every day. During the last part of my engineering career, I spent a lot of time thinking about stewardship and giving back to the profession. I know myself well enough to know I couldn’t simply stop after years of working on major projects. Teaching at Purdue gave me the opportunity to continue contributing, mentoring students, and sharing practical experiences from industry. It has been a blessing to be here because the opportunity for stewardship is immense.

• What defines a truly successful mmega project?

Safety is the most important aspect of any megaproject. Today, the goal is zero recordable accidents, and achieving that requires extensive preplanning and strong engineering controls. Beyond safety, successful projects depend on innovation, financial discipline, and advancing the profession itself. We are constantly looking for ways to improve methods, reduce risk, and create long-term value for both the industry and society.

Skills and Qualities for Success

• What skills are most important for students pursuing a career in engineering?

Assuming you’ve built a solid technical foundation, three non-technical skills are key: leadership, communication, and teamwork. You need to lead when needed, communicate clearly with clients and design teams, and work effectively in a group. Engineering is never done alone; it’s always a team effort. These skills are essential not just in earthquake engineering, but in all types of engineering and probably in life. The best graduates show they can step up, speak clearly, and collaborate. That’s what we look for when hiring, those three traits beyond just technical strength.

• What qualities do you look for in young engineers when hiring or mentoring?

Beyond technical skills, I want to see curiosity and the desire to learn and for new hires to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to look silly if you don’t know something, ask someone! Find the balance between independent learning and knowing when to reach out. I learned more in my first month of work than four years of undergrad, and even more after grad school. Stay curious, keep learning, and have the confidence to ask and grow.

Growth and Challenges in Megaproject Engineering

• How do megaprojects differ from conventional construction projects?

• What lessons can modern engineers learn from historic megaprojects?

When we study projects like Hoover Dam, Grand Coulee, or the Brooklyn Bridge, we see how much today’s engineering practices evolved from lessons learned in the past. Modern safety standards, material quality control, and project management systems all came from earlier failures and innovations. Earlier engineers often pushed materials to their limits without the quality assurance we have today. Understanding those historical lessons helps modern engineers appreciate why today’s practices exist

• How has technology changed megaproject delivery?

Technology has dramatically changed planning and project controls. Today we use sophisticated scheduling and monitoring systems, but even 100 years ago engineers were managing massive projects using analog methods. One thing I’ve learned is that technology should never replace direct observation. Decision-makers need to be present in the field and understand actual site conditions. AI and advanced monitoring tools can help communicate information and support decisions, but they are only as good as the data they receive. There is still no substitute for seeing conditions with your own eyes.

Constructability and Innovation

• How important is constructability in large infrastructure projects?

Constructability is absolutely critical. Engineers need to design structures in ways that can realistically and safely be built in the field. Prefabrication and efficient construction methods help reduce risks and improve productivity. The best construction engineers work collaboratively and always think about the workers who will actually build the project. To create something truly safe and efficient, you have to start with constructability in mind.

• What are the biggest opportunities for improvement in megaproject delivery?

The design-build process has evolved significantly over time, especially after major failures led to reforms like the Miller Act. But I still believe we have not fully optimized design-build delivery. There is still a lot of room for improvement in megaprojects, especially in constructability, coordination, and communication between designers and constructors. That’s what makes engineering exciting — there will always be problems to solve.

• What advice would you give to young engineers entering heavy civil construction?

Commitment to excellence and lifelong learning is vitally important. You can’t approach engineering with an attitude of mediocrity. Push yourself to seek opportunities and continually grow, especially when you are young and full of energy. Engineering is a profession that rewards curiosity, discipline, and persistence. If you stay committed to improving yourself and your work, you’ll continue growing throughout your entire career.