Quote of the Day

Last year, Margaret Brown, P.E., was named the winner of NSPE–Colorado’s 2018 Woman Engineer of the Year Award. As founder of Brown Civil Engineering in Lafayette, Colorado, she leads a firm that delivers professional engineering and land surveying services throughout the state’s Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions. Here’s a snippet of what she had to say in her acceptance speech. You can read the whole speech in the Open Forum at https://community.nspe.org.

“One thing that I have reminded myself of over the years is that, while obtaining professional licensure is certainly an admirable achievement, it’s really a representation that we have achieved the minimum level of accomplishment in our profession. There’s so much more that we can be.

As professional engineers, we have an obligation to continue our education and strive for high standards in our lives and work. The National Society of Professional Engineers provides a vehicle for further development of the professional engineer where commitment, integrity and pride in our work is a common theme, and holding oneself to a higher standard IS the standard.”

Parting Points

I turned 80 last summer and decided it is time to fully retire. I don’t intend to renew my membership. I’ve enjoyed my association with NSPE and the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers. I do hope to stay in touch with ISPE and plan to attend some of their meetings.

I’d like to point out that I’m sure I’m much wiser than I’ve ever been. I bet you will feel the same as you get older, something to think about.

Good luck, all.

Richard Coy, P.E.
Fishers, IN

Stick with NSPE—the membership needs to hear from people who have many differing views. It will make for a stronger organization!

Deborah Grubbe, P.E.
Chadds Ford, PA

This 80 year old (going on 40) tried to retire 15 years ago and became miserable. Wife made me go back to work and things immediately returned to normal. Still taking continuing education, learning the latest applications, and staying busy, but I am taking things a lot more leisurely.

Mike Shanok, P.E.
Cheshire, CT

I am a long-time member of an internet technical forum and it is clearly the wise counsel of the “seasoned” members than usually carries the day. Yes, younger engineers may drive the progression of the profession, but that must be tempered by the experience of the experienced!

Ronald Woods, P.E.
Jacksonville, FL