Students receive the Alpha/Beta Chapter of the Year Award. (L to R): Charles Davis, Ph.D., FES Past President; Zachary Allen; Tripp Weston; Taylor Palahunik; Elizabeth Nolan and David Keough, P.E., FES President. (Courtesy FES)
The Florida Engineering Society-American Council of Engineering Companies (FES-ACEC) recognized FAMU-FSU College of Engineering students and faculty at their annual conference in 2025, celebrating outstanding contributions to the engineering profession.
Student Chapter Wins Prestigious Alpha/Beta Chapter of the Year Award
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering student organization received the Alpha/Beta Chapter of the Year Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers-Florida Engineering Society (ASCE-FES). This recognition is awarded to student chapters that meet specific educational curricula and accreditation requirements as part of four-year engineering degree programs.
The students earned recognition for their exceptional dedication and active involvement, making them the most active chapter in their category. This achievement demonstrates their commitment to advancing civil engineering education and professional development.
ASCE-FES Chapter Enhances Civil Engineering Education
The ASCE-FES student organization significantly enriches the educational experience for civil engineering students at the joint college. Students participate in initiatives that promote professional development, academic excellence, and community engagement through various programs and activities.
“We are so proud of our students for their continued involvement and the many activities they host and participate in for the chapter and engineering community,” said Michelle Rambo-Roddenberry, Ph.D., PE, associate dean for student affairs and professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “Their enthusiasm for their academic and co-curricular pursuits and the engineering profession is inspiring.”
Professor Lisa Spainhour Receives Outstanding Service Award
During the same ceremony, Lisa Spainhour, Ph.D., P.E., received the Outstanding Service to the Engineering Profession Award from the Florida Engineering Society. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to engineering.
Spainhour serves as Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and is recognized as an influential educator and dedicated advocate for students and the broader engineering community. She has taught at the college for over 30 years and has been department chair since 2019.
Leadership Achievements and Research Growth
Under Spainhour’s leadership, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has experienced substantial growth and development. During her tenure as chair, the department hired seven new faculty members and nearly doubled its graduate enrollment.
In 2019, Spainhour was part of a team that established the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response (RIDER) Center, where she serves on the executive board. The RIDER Center promotes disaster resilience for communities in Florida and across the American Southeast, investigating ways to minimize natural disasters’ negative impacts while developing new economic and environmental sustainability methods.
Under her leadership, research revenues have doubled and are approaching $8 million in expenditures annually, demonstrating significant growth in the department’s research capacity and impact.
Professional Recognition and Community Impact
Both awards reflect the high standards of excellence maintained by the joint college community. The recognition of both students and faculty demonstrates the college’s commitment to fostering academic achievement, professional development and service to the engineering profession.
These honors highlight the college’s ongoing efforts to prepare students for successful engineering careers while contributing meaningful research and service to address critical infrastructure and community needs.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Sonnet 4, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI optimized the article for SEO discoverability, improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This article was edited and fact-checked by college staff before being published. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: 09/03/2025.
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