Auburn senior named as one of ASCE’s 2019 New Faces of Civil Engineering

An Auburn University civil engineering senior has been named as one of the 2019 New Faces of Civil Engineering in the college category by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Natalie Palmquistof Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is one of 10 collegiate students selected as part of ASCE’s program to highlight up-and-coming civil engineering leaders from around the country and celebrate their academic achievements, as well as their commitment to serving others.

Palmquist, who is minoring in philanthropy and nonprofit studies, was also recently named as a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. She serves as president of the Auburn University Engineers without Borders Chapter and is its Rwandan team leader. She is a program intern with Engineering Ministries International in Delhi, India; a recipient of the 100+ Women Strong Leadership Award; a Jeff Stone Scholarship recipient, which recognizes outstanding leadership among civil engineering majors outside of their field of study; an International Student Orientation Leader with Auburn Global; an undergraduate teaching assistant in the College of Human Sciences; and vice president of the Turkish Student Organization.

“Natalie is the epitome of the Auburn Creed, believing in hard work, education, honesty and the human touch,” said Andrzej Nowak, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and the Elton and Lois G. Huff Eminent Scholar Chair. “Her work inside and outside the classroom, especially through her leadership with Engineers Without Borders in Bolivia, Rwanda and now rural Alabama in Lowndes County, no doubt places her among the top civil engineering students from around the country who are going to change the world.”

All New Face honorees will be recognized during ASCE’s annual Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Gala on March 14 in Arlington, Virginia.

“ASCE is thrilled to recognize each of the 2019 New Faces of Civil Engineering for their inspiring achievements,” said Robin A. Kemper, ASCE president. “These are the next generation of civil engineers, role models and leaders. They show dedication to the profession in their education and extracurricular activities, and I am excited to see where they go next.”