A Message From FES President Kelly Cranford
Hello FES Members,
Recently, I spent a few days at my alma mater, the University of Florida, meeting with current students and walking around campus. While the student union and most of the campus have been updated in the 30+ years since I was a student, the vibrancy of the students and their excitement for the future remain the same as I remember from my days at school — nothing quite like visiting the past and meeting the future at the same time.
In a few weeks, we will celebrate Engineers’ Week (eWeek) from February 19-23, 2023.  eWeek was founded by NSPE in 1951 and is now recognized by over 120 societies, agencies, and corporations. The week is dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers’ positive contributions to our quality of life and increasing the public’s understanding and interest in engineering careers.
The 2023 eWeek theme is Creating the Future! Engineers are vital in creating solutions to global challenges which impact us today as well as future generations. Engineers develop solutions that make the world a better place. Join us in celebrating all the ways engineers Create the Future! and inspire a few future engineers along the way.
Our FES Chapters are planning celebrations throughout the state and getting resolutions passed by local governments recognizing the contributions of engineers to society. Some Chapters will also be completing an eWeek project, including giving back to the community. Check your local Chapter calendar for the date and details of your eWeek celebration.
Additional ideas to celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world include
- recognizing individual engineers by honoring their achievements – in person, online, or by nominating them for an award.
- inviting an inspiring speaker to deliver a virtual or live talk during Engineers Week.
- offering to visit a classroom and talk to students (they love hands-on demonstrations)
- post pictures #Eweek2023 on social media platforms.
I hope you’ll take a moment to recognize and celebrate the work of engineers and engage students in engineering. DiscoverE, the organization behind Engineers Week, has free resources you can use to inspire future innovators, such as hands-on engineering activities and lesson plans, information about engineering education, and pathways to engineering careers. Visit DiscoverE.org and get the help you need to focus on the “E” in STEM.
Until next month,
Kelly Cranford, PE, ENV SP, FES Fellow
Culpepper and Terpening, Inc. | Principal Project Manager
(772) 485-1334 – kellyecranford@gmail.com
