University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

The reason I choose this book to recognize my promotion to professor of civil engineering is that while Mr. Hoover is always remembered as the president on whose watch the Great Depression began, most people fail to realize that he was one heck of an engineer.

In this volume, Mr. Hoover describes engineering as “…a great profession…” that “…elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life.” He calls that work “the engineer's high privilege.” He goes on to state that “To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort, and hope.”

I can’t say that every day my own work is in pursuit of Mr. Hoover’s lofty goal, but I do like to think that I have made my own small contributions to my profession, and like the former president, I am very proud to be an engineer.

I hope those who read this book gain some insight into the life of this man and remember him for what he did best—provided life, comfort, and hope.