Awards & Scholarships
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Engineering Excellence Awards
The Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) are presented annually by ACEC Alaska to recognize engineering achievements and to demonstrate the highest degree of merit and ingenuity. The awards pay tribute to Alaska’s most prestigious and distinguished engineering projects.
Entries are judged on:
- Original or Innovative Application of New or Existing Techniques
- Future Value to the Engineering Profession and Perception by the Public
- Social, Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations
- Complexity
- Exceeding Client/Owner Needs
Awards include:
- Grand Conceptor
- Large Firm
- Small Firm
- Studies, Research, and Consulting (Category A)
- Building/Technology Systems (Category B)
- Structural Systems (Category C)
- Surveying and Mapping Technology (Category D)
- Environmental (Category E)
- Water and Wastewater (Category F)
- Water Resources (Category G)
- Transportation (Category H)
- Special Projects (Category I)
- Small Projects (Category J
- Energy (Category K)
Entries are judged on the basis of total engineering excellence. The judges may select as many awards as they deem appropriate. Entries will be judged on the basis of the work performed by the submitting firm alone and according to the rating guidelines listed in the Call for Entries packet. Grand Conceptor, Large Firm, Small Firm, and Category Winners will be awarded at the judges’ discretion. Honorable Mention and Special Project Awards may be presented to other selected entries of superior quality. There is no specific number of awards given.
The 2025 EEA winners will be announced at the January Monthly Membership Meeting on January 28, 2025 and will be celebrated at the ACEC Alaska Annual Awards GALA on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Sandia Golf Event Center. The 2024 EEA winners were celebrated at the ACEC Alaska Annual Awards GALA on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Sandia Resort & Casino.
ACEC Alaska Member Awards recognize individuals and member firms that make a difference in our community through their leadership, commitment, accomplishments, and support to ACEC Alaska.
Member awards include:
Professional Leadership Award – Recognizes an individual for his/her accomplishments in a professional organization other than ACEC.
Individual Community Service Award – Recognizes an individual for his/her accomplishments in community service.
Member Firm Community Service Award – Recognizes an individual firm for its accomplishments in community service.
Industry Advocate Award – Recognizes an individual for his/her accomplishments in advocating, enhancing, or promoting the engineering profession.
Industry Partner Award – Recognizes an organization or company (that is not a professional engineering organization or company) for their accomplishments in partnering, working with, and supporting engineering companies and professional societies.
All awards are recognized and celebrated at the ACEC Alaska Annual Awards GALA in the spring of each year. The annual event hosts member firms, their staff, clients, peer organizations, and elected or appointed officials. EEA project display panels are displayed during the awards banquet and at other events throughout the year. All awards are recognized throughout the year in ACEC Alaska promotions and written materials.
The 2026 EEA Competition is Open
Mark Your Calendars! Below are the Important Dates and Deadlines for the 2026 EEA National Competition:
- Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Submission deadline! Submit all entry materials by this date to be eligible for the competition.
- Submit your project
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- The firm representative listed on the entry form must be available for any required clarifications or revisions.
- Friday–Sunday, February 20–22, 2026
- Judging Weekend! Finalist entries will be reviewed and evaluated during this period.
- Tuesday, May 5, 2026
- EEA Awards Gala. Celebrate the nation's most innovative engineering achievements in style! At the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC.
Questions? Please email Theresia Christanti, ACEC Director of EEA & Awards Programs.
Alaska Firms Win National Engineering Excellence Awards
In 2025, Tetra Tech was awarded an ACEC National Recognition Award for the Central Transfer Station
The Municipality of Anchorage Department of Solid Waste Services (SWS) opened the new Central Transfer Station (CTS) in 2023 at a cost of approximately $115 million. The CTS redefines local waste management for the greater Anchorage Bowl. Spanning over 20 acres, this state-of-the-art facility addresses landfill limitations, outdated infrastructure, and operational inefficiencies. Designed for a 40-year lifespan, it processes 1,600 tons of municipal waste daily while prioritizing recycling and waste diversion opportunities.
The campus integrates residential and commercial waste tipping, SWS waste transfer and vehicle maintenance, household hazardous waste collection, and public education.
Advanced features include separated traffic flows for safety and efficiency, electrified vehicle charging stations for public and fleet use, and cutting-edge transfer systems. An “Engineering on Display” space offers hands-on learning, engaging the community in sustainable waste management.
Sustainability was central to the design. Wetland conservation, bioretention systems, combined heat and power across the site, and plans to repurpose the old station for recycling and organic material recovery demonstrate a forward-thinking approach.
Enclosed operations, thoughtful traffic patterns, and innovative architectural design minimize noise, odors, and visual impacts, addressing key community concerns.
Public involvement was key to the project’s success, achieved through a website, community meetings, and transparent communication, fostering trust and collaboration.
This modern facility not only extends landfill life but also enhances operational safety, convenience, and the SWS capacity to divert waste from landfills.
The CTS sets a new standard for urban waste infrastructure, striking a balance between community needs, environmental stewardship, and the promise of a sustainable future.
In 2024 HDR Alaska Wins Grand Award for Seward Highway Rehabilitation Project
HDR Alaska's Seward Highway Mile Post 75-90 Road and Bridge Rehabilitation project received a prestigious Grand Award at the American Council of Engineering Companies' (ACEC) 57th Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in May 2024. This project was selected from over 200 entries by a panel of nearly 30 judges, earning recognition at an event often referred to as the "Academy Awards" of the engineering industry.
The Seward Highway, originally built in 1951, serves as the sole road connecting Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Nearly a half-century after being reopened in 1968 following the 9.2 Great Alaskan Earthquake, the highway had reached the end of its design lifespan, resulting in severe regional congestion.
The rehabilitation project brought significant improvements to this critical route, including:
- Straightened curves for enhanced safety
- Nine reconstructed or rehabilitated and seismically upgraded bridges
- Five miles of passing lanes in each direction and turn lanes at critical intersections
- An entirely repaved surface
- Enhanced pedestrian facilities
- Improved drainage systems
- Protected shorelines
Additionally, the project features three new underpasses and an extended multimodal scenic trail, which increase pedestrian safety and improve access to recreational spots. The Seward Highway is not only an All-American Road but also a National Scenic Byway, making these enhancements crucial for both daily commuters and visitors alike.
This award-winning project exemplifies engineering excellence and dedication to improving Alaska’s infrastructure, ensuring the highway remains a vital and safe route for years to come.
Scholarships
ACEC Alaska invests in the future of engineering by providing scholarships at the state and national levels to support aspiring professionals in their educational journey.
ACEC Research Institute Scholarships
The ACEC Research Institute offers numerous sponsored scholarships to make engineering careers more accessible to students and to address the industry's engineering workforce shortage. Mike Carragher, chair of the ACEC Research Institute, highlighted the importance of these scholarships through the following statement. The ACEC Research Institute is committed to supporting students who are passionate about engineering but may face financial challenges. By providing these scholarships, ACEC is investing in the future of engineering and empowering talented individuals to pursue their dreams.
2024 – Alaska Scholarship Winner
James Baisden, a senior civil engineering student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), expressed heartfelt gratitude for the scholarship he received from ACEC and NCEES: "I am incredibly grateful to ACEC and NCEES for awarding me an engineering scholarship as I complete my senior year in civil engineering at UAF. This generous support has relieved the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and professional growth. I'm also grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for the engineering conference, this was an amazing experience as I had the chance to connect with professionals as well as attend the learning sessions. Thank you to everyone who made this scholarship possible!"
ACEC Alaska proudly congratulates James Baisden on receiving the NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship. We commend his dedication to civil engineering and wish him continued success in his studies and future employment.
Derek Christianson Memorial Scholarship
ACEC Alaska is honored to announce the establishment of the Derek Christianson Memorial Scholarship, created to celebrate the life, career, and lasting impact of Derek Christianson, P.E., a respected civil engineer, mentor, and leader in Alaska’s transportation community who passed away unexpectedly in October 2025.
Derek earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and devoted his career to advancing transportation planning and design, including work with the Federal Highway Administration and, most recently, Michael Baker International, where he managed more than 90 projects across Alaska. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Derek was deeply committed to service—supporting engineering education through the UAA College of Engineering Advisory Board, volunteering during Engineers Week, and generously mentoring young engineers throughout his career.
Known for his humility, kindness, and quiet humor, Derek was a natural mentor who challenged others to grow while always putting people first. His influence continues through the many colleagues and students he encouraged, guided, and inspired.
To honor Derek’s legacy and commitment to the profession, the goal is to build this into a sustainable annual scholarship that supports future civil engineering students in Alaska—reflecting Derek’s lifelong dedication to education, mentorship, and public service. The scholarship will be administered through the Alaska Engineering Education Foundation (AEEF).
